Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20 to 30 years.There are also earlier cases of disease manifestation.
How does osteochondrosis occur?
Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spinal column elastic and able to assume different positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).In the center of the disk is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Cartilaginous endplates are located above and below the disc.
As the disease develops, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot cope with the total load and is deformed.Then it can rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, the mobility of the spine is reduced and disc displacement may occur.
Causes of osteochondrosis
For the proper functioning of the spinal column, a constant moderate load is required.Severe overexertion or improper distribution of pressure can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.
Internal causes of disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- disorder of metabolic processes in the body;
- overweight, obesity;
- age changes;
- bad posture, curvature of the spine;
- flat feet.
External factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sudden movements of high amplitude;
- improper body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- high load on the spinal column when playing sports or certain types of activities;
- injuries to any part of the spine;
- improperly organized place to sleep, including sleeping on a soft mattress and a high pillow;
- walking in high-heeled shoes;
- smoking;
- effects of vibration on the body, for example, heavy equipment drivers;
- hypothermia.
Active sports do not always promote spine health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People of certain professions - loaders and builders - are at risk.
Types of osteochondrosis
Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is divided into the following types:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious stress on the sacrum and lower back.
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It develops due to improper loading of the cervical spine.The blood circulation in the brain and the work of the thyroid gland are disturbed.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the thoracic part, the discs are not so active, and the muscular corset is stronger.It is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are more similar to heart diseases.
- Usual osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spinal column, but several at once.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, different symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.
In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient notices the following signs of the disease:
- pains of various types in the lower back;
- piercing pain that radiates to the legs and buttocks;
- movement disorders.Changing the position of the body, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, the person tries to maintain the same position;
- loss of feeling in the legs.This happens due to pinched roots and nerve endings.
The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:
- pain in the neck, especially in the evening;
- creaking when moving the door;
- headaches, especially in the back of the head;
- pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
- visual impairment;
- noise, ringing in the ears, feeling blocked;
- dizziness with sudden changes in the position of the neck.
The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- thoracic neuralgia, a feeling of pain in the heart;
- pressing pain in upper part of chest;
- difficulty breathing;
- reflex tension of the back and chest;
- feeling of cold in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulders and ending in the fingers;
- increased pain at night;
- increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.
Stages of osteochondrosis
In the initial phase, 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 indicates the appearance of pain.Destruction of the discs continues, the annulus fibrosus deforms and ruptures.There is stiffness in movements and acute pain when changing the usual position.
With the development of the third stage, the fibrous ring bursts.The gelatinous contents come out.An intervertebral hernia is formed.If treatment is not started at this stage, root entrapment and disability occur.
Complications of osteochondrosis
Lack of treatment of osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous is the creation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.
Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetovascular dystonia and an increase in blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of heart attack and stroke.
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences for the entire organism: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, development of intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.The lumbar part can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.
A herniated disc leads to compression of blood vessels.As a result, the general blood circulation is disturbed.The most dangerous moment is the compression of the vertebral artery.
Methods of diagnosing osteochondrosis
Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI.Magnetic resonance
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Laboratory research
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is better treated in a specialized clinic under the supervision of an expert.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When choosing 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 age of the patient, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average 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:
- Resonant wave UHF therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic action on the aqueous environment of the body with electromagnetic waves of low intensity and high frequency.
- 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 on special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of a simulator will restore limb mobility in a short period of time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
- Blockage of joints and spine.Joint block is a type of medical treatment of the spine and joints aimed at relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
- Drug treatment.Treatment of joints and spine with drugs 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;
- restores flexibility to the spine;
- prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- corrects and strengthens the muscular corset;
- corrects posture;
- normalizes metabolism.
After the end of the therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises to be performed independently at home.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:
- engage in swimming, yoga, jogging, fitness;
- When sitting at the computer or desk, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
- choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
- every 2 hours or more, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
- when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and don't make sudden jerks;
- do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
- when practicing on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to properly practice 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.Follow these principles in your diet:
- include in your diet dairy products and lean meat - beef, rabbit, chicken;
- limit consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat soups;
- eat jelly, meat jelly, fish jelly.Along with them, you get hondoprotectors - substances that are involved 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, avocado and raw spinach more often;
- season the salad with olive oil;
- prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, grains;
- try to eat less salty, smoked food, flour products, sugar and hot spices.