Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease in which the structure and functionality of the intervertebral discs and cartilage are impaired. It is accompanied by regular painful sensations, because the affected tissues must ensure the mobility and flexibility of the spine. According to ICD 10, it belongs to the group of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, code - M42. The essence of the disease lies in the compression of the discs during the load on the spine, which leads to their destruction or deformation. This results in damage to nerve endings, resulting in pain and swelling. A neglected form of spinal osteochondrosis can lead to disability.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis of the spine
What is this disease and where does it come from? Most often, this disease appears in men after 40 years. This is due to age-related salt metabolism disorders and dehydration in the body. Factors that provoke the development of the disease:
- curvature, leading to curvature of the spine;
- undeveloped spinal muscles;
- being in an awkward position for a long period of time;
- regularly carry heavy objects;
- a sedentary lifestyle associated with the specificities of work;
- metabolic disorders in the body;
- genetic predisposition;
- the negative effect of chemicals on the body;
- transferred diseases of an infectious nature;
- nervous overwork, stress with neurological manifestations;
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- professional sports related to electric charges;
- Injury of the spine;
- a sudden change of position.
It is important to know!Adverse climatic conditions, periodic hypothermia can contribute to the development of the disease! Therefore, you need to protect yourself as much as possible against these factors.
Common symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain and numbness. Such conditions can also appear:
- sharp, cutting, stabbing pain;
- aching limbs;
- dizziness, sometimes loss of consciousness;
- dryness and exfoliation of the skin;
- profuse sweating;
- low temperature of the extremities.
Depending on the part of the spine on which the disease develops, other specific symptoms appear.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: signs
It is the most dangerous place of defeat. After all, it is in the cervical region that an artery passes, which contributes to the normal functioning of the brain. Due to the onset of the disease, this artery is compressed and prevents blood supply to the brain. Due to this, the patient experiences severe headache, dizziness, general weakness of the body. Concentration of attention decreases, memory capacity worsens.
It is accompanied by pain in the neck, under the shoulder blades, in the forearm, sometimes the upper limbs become numb.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
This type of disease is quite rare, most often accompanied by damage to other parts of the spine. May be accompanied by such diseases:
- pain between the shoulder blades;
- sharp pain with deep breathing;
- weakness and numbness in the fingers.
There are situations in which disease of the chest area can cause discomfort in the heart area.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The most common type of disease, because the lower back assumes the maximum load throughout a person's life. May cause osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome. This condition is characterized by pinching of the nerve roots in the lumbar region, accompanied by various pain, and can radiate to the thigh and buttocks region.
During the period of development, the normal work of the lower extremities is disturbed and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- tingling sensation on the back of the leg;
- weakness of the lower limbs;
- numbness in the toes.
Disorders of the genitourinary system and bowel functionality can also occur.
Important to remember!From the first symptoms, you should seek help from a specialist! After all, an advanced form of the disease in a certain department can develop polysegmental osteochondrosis of the spine, which consists in the defeat of all departments at once.
Stages of osteochondrosis of the spine
In modern medicine, there are 4 stages of the disease:
- Degree of osteochondrosis of the spine. At this stage, the disease is difficult to detect. There are no obvious signs. There are only general ailments, a slight weakness in the back with uncomfortable sensations, which are attributed to overwork. The disease is slow, usually detected randomly during a routine check-up.
- 2nd degree vertebral osteochondrosis. Symptoms of pain appear due to the initial process of tissue destruction. If you turn to specialists in time for help, this degree of the disease can be cured quite quickly with the help of drugs.
- 3rd degree vertebral osteochondrosis. An irreversible process of deformation of cartilage tissue begins, which is the cause of the development of scoliosis, lordosis and the appearance of a lump. Treatment at this stage will improve the condition and minimize curvature.
- 4th degree vertebral osteochondrosis. At this final stage, a person experiences irreversible processes of destruction of the tissues of the spine. It becomes very difficult for the patient to move, it brings him excruciating pain.
It is important to know!Stage 4 of the disease leads the patient to disability! Therefore, at the first manifestations it is necessary to consult a doctor and start treatment in a timely manner.
Diagnosis of the disease
Emerging patient complaints require contacting a specialist. To make a diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist or traumatologist, who, after a detailed investigation and examination, will send you to undergo such studies:
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- Ultrasound;
- electrocardiogram;
- radiography;
- general analysis of blood and urine.
Based on the research carried out, the doctor draws a conclusion and prescribes effective treatment, depending on the stage of the disease.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine
There are many ways to influence the course of the disease. They are aimed not only at relieving discomfort, but also at full recovery. The most effective treatments are:
Medical treatment
They are aimed at relieving painful sensations, relieving inflammatory processes, restoring cartilage tissue and preventing the dynamic development of the disease. Taking vitamins during this time is very important.
Chondroprotectors
The therapeutic effect does not appear immediately, therefore, a course is prescribed, the duration of which is approximately 2 months.
Injection
Their use is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome, the injection has no therapeutic effect.
Ointment
The use of various ointments, creams or gels helps get rid of inflammation. They also have an analgesic and warming effect.
Acupuncture
For such procedures, the patient is referred to a chiropractor. After all, only an experienced specialist is able to qualitatively perform this manipulation. Acupuncture helps relieve even excruciating excruciating pain, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and normalizes hormones.
Cupping massage
The essence of the procedure is to apply a vacuum to the skin, which helps restore blood circulation, remove toxins, and improve the condition of the body as a whole. Effectively relieves painful sensations. This type of massage cannot be performed on the spine itself, the mammary glands, the heart and the kidneys. Contraindications to the use of this procedure: patients with rashes, heart disease and pregnancy.
- Magnetotherapy. It is used as an additional method in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Helps to weaken the inflammatory process, relieves puffiness, tones the muscles of the spine.
- Physiotherapy. It is aimed at restoring the mobility of the spine, strengthening the back muscles and normalizing the metabolism. It is very important not to overwork yourself while exercising.
- Massage. Needed to eliminate pain and strengthen muscles.
Important to remember!Regardless of the stage of osteochondrosis, only a specialist prescribes treatment methods! He can choose a complex method or treatment.
Treatment with folk remedies
To combat the disease, you can use traditional medicine recipes that are easy to prepare at home. For this, only natural ingredients are used.
Garlic
To prepare the medicine you will need 200 g of chopped garlic, which should be poured with 0, 5 liters of vodka or alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 1 week, shake daily. After a period of time, use as a back massage. Helps relieve pain.
Bay leaf and juniper
You should take 1 teaspoon. the original ingredients, grind to a powder consistency. Grind with softened unsalted butter at the rate of 100 g. Coat the affected areas with the resulting ointment 3 times a day.
Mugwort
It will take 1 tbsp. L. absinthe, pour 1 glass of boiling water. Insist 3 hours. Filter the resulting broth and rub your back before going to bed.
Important to remember!Regardless of which recipe is chosen for treatment, you should consult your doctor! He may consider using home-made medicines as an additional treatment.
Army and spinal osteochondrosis
Are they recruited into the army after such a diagnosis has been made? In order for a young man not to go to serve in the army, the following times must be present:
- intervertebral osteochondrosis;
- strong throbbing pain during physical exertion;
- clear signs of deformity of the spine;
It is important to know!Painful sensations should be confirmed by regular medical consultation! Only in this situation the young man is not fit for military service.
Complications of the disease
Since the spine is the basis of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis can cause irreparable damage to health. The consequences that the disease can cause:
- herniated discs;
- rachiocampsis;
- displacement of the vertebrae.
This can lead to disturbances in the functioning of organs, a decrease in the immune system, which leads to serious new diseases.
It is important to know!Ignoring osteochondrosis leads to disability! Therefore, when disease occurs, treatment should be started immediately.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine
In order to avoid the development of the disease, the following preventive measures should be taken:
- Diet. This is especially true for the elderly. It is necessary to minimize the consumption of spicy, fatty, canned and smoked foods. You should also avoid the excessive use of salt, coffee, chocolate, alcoholic drinks. Good nutrition helps remove salts from the body.
- Daily morning exercises. Light exercise will help keep the body in good shape and strengthen the muscular system.
- Orthopedic mattress. For rest, you should buy it, because healthy sleep and complete relaxation minimize the risk of developing the disease.
Particular attention should be paid to the position in which you wish to sleep. The most comfortable position for the spine is the embryo. In this case, he relaxes completely. It is better to use a small pillow. In this way, you can protect your spine from excessive stress and give it the necessary rest.