Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion located in the vertebral tissues. The disease provokes a pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the adjacent surfaces of the joints, as well as the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
The disease significantly affects human health. The bones and ligaments are damaged. The onset of the disease is signaled by painful symptoms, muscle atrophy, impaired functioning of internal organs. The most common age for a person to develop osteochondrosis is from the age of 30.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of the disease. These include receiving a mechanical injury, a hereditary factor, impaired metabolism. It is very difficult to find a cause that contributes to the development of the disease, since osteochondrosis can occur both in an adult and in a teenager.
A common factor for the development of the disease is the deposition of vertebral salts. With the help of an x-ray, growths on the vertebrae are diagnosed, while the joints creak and creak when walking.
You can also get osteochondrosis in the case of an existing infectious disease, with constant overloading of the spine, exposure to a chemical, and poor posture. At risk are people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, abuse tobacco and alcohol, are overweight, and are in constant stress.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis are determined by the type(s) of the disease that is present. What are the types of osteochondrosis and how they manifest themselves, we will discuss in more detail.
cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:
- headache;
- impaired coordination;
- violation of the auditory, vocal and visual systems;
- the appearance of snoring.
The most common symptom is a headache, which negatively affects a person's usual lifestyle. Most often, the neck, throat and teeth hurt. The pain spreads to the shoulders and arms and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all the symptoms of the manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
root symptoms. In other words, cervical sciatica. The pain originates in the neck, runs down the shoulder blades, and returns throughout the body to the fingers.
reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, characterized by a sharp, burning character. Place of localization - neck or occipital zone. Often the pain radiates to the heart and thoracic spine; in addition, a person confuses osteochondrosis with the presence of heart disease.
Vertebral artery symptoms. The most common symptom is headache. Possible deterioration of the auditory and visual systems.
cardiac symptoms. It would seem that the heart hurts, but it is not. This is just an irradiation of pain in the heart, but not heart disease. In this case, the symptoms are similar to angina pectoris. There are cases where a doctor mistakenly diagnoses and treats a non-existent disease.
Self-treatment for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is not recommended.
Before prescribing the necessary treatment, the doctor makes a diagnosis. The main method of diagnosis is radiography. Treatment must be comprehensive, including the elimination of the source of the disease, as well as the symptoms.
The early stage of the disease involves manual therapy and exercise therapy. Running osteochondrosis requires more comprehensive treatment, and sometimes surgical intervention. As soon as the main treatment ends, the doctor prescribes gymnastics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic spine disease is characterized by episodes of pain in the heart, sternum, back, side of the trunk, and upper abdomen. In other words, the pain of the whole body.
Painful sensations in the heart can lead to suspicion of a pathological process such as angina pectoris. The difference is that the pain in the region of the heart in the case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is not stopped by nitroglycerin, and the electrocardiography did not reveal any pathological changes in the heart. And the pain doesn't go away after taking heart medicine.
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by symptoms that depend on the location of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops along with a herniated disc. In the event that the intercostal osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine covers the upper segment, there is pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back and heart.
By squeezing the spinal cord. In other words, compression myelopathy. A rather rare phenomenon, manifested by pain, numbness and weakness of the lower extremities.
Clinical symptoms that belong only to osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are as follows:
Neurological symptoms: constant pain, which increases in case of deep cough and inhalation.
- Costovertebral osteoarthritis;
- spinal symptoms.
Visceral syndromes - pain in the heart, aggravated in case of physical exertion, turning the body.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive. A special place is occupied by manual therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy.
lumbar osteochondrosis
Intercostal osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is characterized by pain in the lumbar region and the dorsal region of the body. Irradiation can be observed on the thighs, buttocks, lower legs, very rarely on the heart.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is characterized by difficulty urinating, defecating, impaired sweating, tingling in the lower extremities, dryness and peeling of the skin.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is carried out by a neurologist. Before establishing treatment, the doctor performs the necessary diagnostic measures, which consist of a personal examination, probing the vertebrae. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are also required. Based on the results of such studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should include measures to eliminate pain and restore normal function to the affected area.
Comprehensive treatment includes:
- medical methodWith the help of drugs, you can relieve pain, inflammation and swelling.
- Physiotherapy treatment. With the help of such treatment, you can also relieve pain and discomfort, as well as make significant progress towards full recovery.
- exercise therapyPrevention and treatment with the help of a therapeutic and sports complex helps to significantly improve health and achieve full recovery. It is forbidden to carry out exercise therapy during an exacerbation of the disease! Along with physical education, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat well and prevent stress.
diagnostic measures
As a rule, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis consists of several stages:
- Stage 1. The doctor listens to the person's complaints and finds out the medical history: the area of concern, the time during which the discomfort is felt, the cause of the pain, the reason for the pain relief.
- Stage 2. The doctor examines the skin to identify or note the absence of redness, scaling and rashes. The doctor conducts palpation of the affected area to determine the temperature regime of the skin, identify swelling, painful compaction.
- Stage 3. X-ray examination is necessary to determine the pathological mobility of the vertebrae, displacement, salt deposits and the formation of osteophytes.
- Stage 4. CT helps to identify compression of the nerve roots, ruptures, all kinds of changes, marginal growths.
MRI contributes to the examination of the state of blood vessels, nerve processes and intervertebral discs.
home treatment
In the event that painful sensations are observed (in other words, a period of exacerbation), various active actions are strictly prohibited. Kneading or massaging the affected area is not recommended, because the pain can only intensify. The body must be provided with rest - take the most comfortable position in which the least pain is manifested. It also requires muscle relaxation. Sometimes the doctor recommends wearing a corset for more comfortable movement.
In thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to warm the affected area. The most effective method of warming up is to use a belt made of dog or sheep wool. Thanks to the belt, pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process is weakened. The belt can be found in almost every pharmacy. In some cases, it is possible to visit the bathroom, so it is good to warm the affected area. Bathing is allowed only during the period when the exacerbation of the disease is eliminated.
Grandma's recipes are also effective. You can apply various tinctures by rubbing the affected area. No less effective are various ointments that can be made at home or purchased at a pharmacy. But such ointments should be used with caution, since they can cause skin burns. That is why it is important to read the instructions before use.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy contributes to the treatment of osteochondrosis, and is also an excellent prophylactic. Physical education should be specially designed and selected individually in each case of the disease.
The complex of physical and therapeutic culture should be carried out only at the stage of remission, but not during the period of exacerbation. At the same time, physical education helps to strengthen the ligamentous apparatus and muscular corset of the back. Thanks to physical education, you can bypass the main drug treatment.
Precautionary measures
In order not to aggravate your health and prevent the development of osteochondrosis in any part of the spine, there is special prevention. Its main rules are:
Drink water before physical activity or exercise. This is necessary to maintain the exchange of moisture in the disks and prevent their dehydration.
A good means of prevention is back massage, which can be done by the person himself, being at home. Massage helps increase blood flow throughout the body, as well as speed up metabolic processes.
In no case should you lift and hold heavy objects and things at arm's length. This increases the load. To lift an object, you can squat down, keeping your spine straight.
Sudden movements, turns and tilts are not recommended.
An even distribution of loads is required.
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes proper lifestyle and good nutrition. It is not necessary to run any disease. Timely treatment in the hospital will help avoid negative consequences.