Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years of age.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed between the ages of 20 and 30.There are also previous cases of manifestation of the disease.
How does osteochondrosis develop?
Depending on individual development, the human spine has between 33 and 34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spine elastic and capable of adopting various positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).In the center of the disk there is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.The terminal cartilaginous plates are located above and below the disc.
As the disease develops, metabolic processes are disturbed.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With further development of the pathology, the annulus fibrosus cannot withstand the full load and is deformed.It can then rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, the mobility of the spine decreases and disc displacement may occur.
Causes of osteochondrosis
For proper functioning, the spine needs a constant moderate load.Severe overstress or improper pressure distribution can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.
Internal causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- disturbance of metabolic processes in the body;
- overweight, obesity;
- age-related changes;
- poor posture, curvature of the spine;
- flat feet.
External factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sudden movements of great amplitude;
- incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- high load on the spine when playing sports or a certain type of activity;
- injuries to any part of the spine;
- poorly organized sleeping place, including sleeping on a soft mattress and a high pillow;
- walking in high-heeled shoes;
- smoking;
- vibration effects on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment;
- hypothermia.
Active sports do not always promote spinal health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.At risk are people from certain professions: loaders and builders.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious tension in the sacrum and lower back.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It develops due to inadequate loading on the cervical spine.Blood circulation to the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are altered.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the discs are not as active and the muscular corset is stronger.It is difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are more similar to those of heart disease.
- Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spine, but several at once.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Depending on which part of the spine the disease is located, various symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.
In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:
- pain of various types in the lumbar area;
- stabbing pain that radiates to the legs and buttocks;
- movement disorders.Changing body position, bending or twisting causes severe pain in the lower back region.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same posture;
- Loss of sensation in the legs.This happens due to pinched nerve roots and endings.
The main symptoms of pathology of the cervical spine:
- pain in the neck, especially at night;
- crackling when moving the neck;
- headaches, especially in the back of the head;
- pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
- visual impairment;
- noise, ringing in the ears, feeling of congestion;
- dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.
The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- thoracic neuralgia, feeling of pain in the heart;
- pressive pain in the upper thoracic region;
- difficulty breathing;
- reflex tension of the back and chest;
- feeling of coldness in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, from the shoulders to the fingers;
- increased pain at night;
- Increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity..
Stages of osteochondrosis
At the initial stage, there is a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs.They shrink and bulge.The patient does not feel much discomfort, except for a slight stiffness of the spine after sleeping.
The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.The destruction of the discs continues, the annulus fibrosus deforms and cracks.There is stiffness in movements and sharp pain when changing usual positions.
With the development of the third stage, the annulus fibrosus ruptures.The gelatinous content comes out.An intervertebral hernia forms.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability occur.
Complications of osteochondrosis
Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications: radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress the nerve endings and cause paralysis of the lower extremities or other parts of the body.
Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and surges in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences throughout the body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.The lower back can cause diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive ability.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.
A herniated disc causes compression of blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disturbed.The most dangerous moment is clamping of the vertebral artery.
Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis.
Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI.magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- laboratory research
Osteochondrosis treatment
It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis.
Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When selecting a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the patient's age, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average duration of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are carried out 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:
- UHF resonance wave therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effects on the body's aquatic environment with high-frequency, low-intensity electromagnetic waves.
- Chondroprotector injections.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
- Rehabilitation in special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of a simulator will restore the mobility of the limbs in a short period of time without expensive treatments in specialized sanatoriums.
- Locking of joints and spine.Joint block is a type of drug treatment of the spine and joints aimed at relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
- Pharmacological treatment.Drug treatment of joints and spine is used in a wide range and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blocks and drips.
Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to achieve the following
- allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
- improves nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of disks, restores their structure;
- releases compressed nerve roots;
- relaxes tense muscles;
- returns flexibility to the spine;
- prevents the appearance of bulges and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- corrects and strengthens the muscle corset;
- straightens posture;
- normalizes metabolism.
After completing the course of therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a series of exercises that he must perform at home independently.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.
Prevention
To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:
- do swimming, yoga, race walking, fitness;
- When sitting at a computer or table, keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed;
- choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
- every 2 hours or more often, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
- when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat down and do not make sharp jerks;
- do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
- when exercising on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to exercise correctly on it;
- choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles for sports;
- sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- do abdominal exercises.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis.
For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, follow the following principles:
- include dairy products and lean meats in your diet: beef, rabbit, chicken;
- limit the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths;
- eat gelatin, jellied meat, jellied fish.With them, condoprotectors are obtained, substances that intervene in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
- drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
- eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
- give preference to cooked or steamed dishes;
- eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados and raw spinach more often;
- season the salad with olive oil;
- prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals;
- Try to eat salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and spicy seasonings less often.