Osteochondrosis of the spine is not a sentence.Causes, symptoms, modern treatment methods

Spinalosteochondrosis -This is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the bond of the cartilage disk and the vertebrae is deformed.In recent times you have to hear more and more about this disease.And it is not surprising, because when earlier osteochondrosis was seen as a pathology of older people, it was now very "younger".We live in an era of scientific and technological progress.We have elevators and escalators, transport and means of communication, with which you can quickly transfer information and use a minimum of physical efforts.As a result, we pay the health of our spine for speed and comfort.But don't despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let us find out what changes in the spine occur with osteochondrosis, how it manifests itself and we will analyze modern methods for the treatment of this disease.

Spine osteochondrosis: causes

The spine consists of vertebrae, which are connected by cartilaginous intervertebral discs.They serve as a shock absorber and offer the elasticity and mobility of the spine.

Our body grows up to 20 to 25 years.At this point, the intervertebral disc is equipped with blood vessels with which an active diet occurs.After the growth has been stopped, blood supply stops.Next, the disc gets electricity from adjacent tissues, mainly from the muscles.Eat hard drives like a sponge when they are compressed, indicate the metabolic products and expand nutrients.If the intervertebral disc does not receive sufficient performance for any reason, it begins to collapse.

Consider the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• A sitting lifestyle.We already know that the cartilage disk is fueling and stretching, and the spine must be moved.
• Forced pose.This applies to office workers and drivers, as sitting for a long time leads to an uneven strain on the spine.Imagine that the entire mass of the upper body is not pressure on the entire disc daily, but on certain points.The power of the cartilage tissue on these points is disturbed, which leads to its destruction.

In the long term, if you are inclined to the front, the load of the spine is 50-70%.

• Excessive physical activity.In addition to the strain on the spine, the muscle tension occurs, whereby the blood flow to the muscles is disrupted and the intervertebral disc does not receive the necessary diet.
• Wrong attitude.A continued change in the spinal configuration overcays the intermediate discs.
• Obesity.Excess mass of the upper body has a load on the spine.
• Age -related changes.This is a natural process in which the metabolic processes of cartilage and bone tissue slow down.

Changes in the spine with osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a violation of nutrition (trophism) of the intervertebral discs.First, the shape of the disc changes - it protrudes to the spine canal.If the stab of the intervertebral disc occurs without a break of the fiber chryshot ring, this condition is calledprojection.This is one of the stages of osteochondrosis of the spine.The next step is the fracture of the fiber-chrying hot ring, which is accompanied by a shift in the tied core of the intervertebral disc.So educatedIntermediate hernia.

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.It grows and forms the so -called osteophytes or bone tips.They compensate for the load on the spine and at the same time limit the movement.

Osteophytes are often referred to as "storage of salts".In fact, there is no salts.These are of course not functioning bone formations that can be removed with the help of massage and manual techniques.

The muscles for osteochondrosis are also exposed to certain changes.To keep the deformed spine in a normal position, you are in a state of constant tension.Muscle cramps for osteochondrosis are accompanied by pain and further aggravate the trophic structures of the spine.

A change in the shape of the spine structures leads to a shift in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.In this case, the compression (compression) of the radicular nerves takes place.They are inflamed and cause severe pain.

Osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome manifests itself through pain in legs, arms, chest and internal organs - heart, lungs, lungs, stomach, intestinal, kidneys, etc. Deafness of arms, legs, face and tongue for osteochondrosis - are also a sign of compression of the radicular nerves.

Symptoms of the spine osteochondrosis

Whatever the spine is involved in the pathological process, the disease manifests itself through two main symptoms - pain and limit the movement of the spine and limbs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and mobile.In addition, blood vessels that feed the brain go through them.Therefore, the cervical spine is endangered as the most endangered.Osteochondrosis of the cervix region manifests itself through characteristic symptoms:

• The pain in the neck that can be given to the back of the head, shoulders, the spatula.Pain increases when the head tilts;
• Headache, dizziness, noise and ringing in the ears.A hearing impairment is possible against the background of the disease;

Headache for osteochondrosis is a fairly common event.People who suffer from systematic headaches should necessarily be examined by a neuropathologist.According to statistics, the cause of headaches in cervical osteochondrosis is in 30% of cases.

• Pain in the hands and chest.Restriction of the hand movements;
• Violation of the coordination of movements;
• In some cases, eyesight and language suffer;
• Increasing blood pressure.

The syndrome of vertebrae with cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of symptoms that must be attentive.The vertebral artery nourishes the brain, and its blood circulation is disturbed.The vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis has the following signs:

• Noise in the ears;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Tachycardia (fast heartbeat);
• Visual injury, the appearance of "flying" in front of the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you urgently need to contact a neurologist.The vertebral artery syndrome is the most common cause of strokes at a young age.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The thoracic spine is less mobile than cervix or lumbar.In this regard, it is more difficult to heal it.There are important organs in the chest cavity - the heart, large blood vessels and lungs, so that the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest cavity can be confused.

Signs of an osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:

• The painful pain between the shoulder blades and in the chest area.The pain intensifies after a long stay in a forced position or during physical exertion;
• Pain and stiffness of movements during breathing;
• Pain between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia);
• Daubiness of the skin, the feeling of "goosebumps";
• Pain can result in the heart, lungs, stomach and kidneys;
• Restriction of the movement during the tendencies, increase hands and body programs.

How do you differentiate osteochondrosis of the spine of heartache?

Pain for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be so intense that they can easily suspect heart diseases.Let's take a look at how osteochondrosis differs from pain in the heart with angina pectoris:

1. The duration of the pain.With osteochondrosis of the spine, the pain can take up days and weeks and with angina pectoris for up to 10 minutes.
2. Moving (termination) of the pain.With angina pectoris, the pain of nitroglycerin is stopped, and with osteochondrosis, analgesics are effective - diclofenac, meloxicam etc.
3. Changes in the EKG are characteristic of cardiac pathology and with osteochondrosis -CG -normal.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The lumbar spine is most susceptible to physical exertion.Each of our activities at the household level somehow affects this part of the spine.Almost all of them had pain in the lower back, and this is the most common symptom with which you are looking for a doctor for help.

Signs of an osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:

• Pain in the back with your back, "recordings" during physical exertion and with a long -term forced position.Pain in the osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is combined by the termRadiculitis.
• Violation of the work of the genitarian authorities.Pain in the kidney area to urinate difficulties.Women may have a violation of the menstrual cycle, pain in the ovaries and the uterus, and men have problems with potency.
• Pain in the buttocks, hips, lower legs and feet.Violation of the sensitivity of the legs, tingling, numbness.
• In the event of a longer compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, lameness can develop.When walking, a person begins to sleep and he has to stop and relax.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

According to the symptoms of osteochondrosis, a logical question arises - what should do next, how to deal with osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will heal osteochondrosis.With a small reservation - with timely treatment and a desire to participate in your health.And a lot in our hands.As with any chronic disease, the vertebral osteochondrosis is treated for a long time.Do not hope that you can get rid of the symptoms in a week.

Conservative treatment is currently actively practicing, including a whole range of measures.The main thing that the patient has to understand is passively treated.In the event of severe pain, pain relievers and anti -inflammatory medication and muscle relaxants are prescribed.In some cases, however, you can do without medication.Let's look at the treatment methods used to treat osteochondrosis.

Preparations for the treatment of the spine osteochondrosis

• Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medication (NSAIDS).These drugs help relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in the form of injections, tablets and local products - gels or ointments.It is necessary to consider that non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis can not continue to be taken because they can lead to gastritis and stomach ulcers.
• Musorelaxants- A group of medication that alleviates muscle tension, which reduces the load of the spine and their blood circulation is improved.They relieve muscle cramp with osteochondrosis of the spine.Most effective in combination with NSAIDS.
• Chondroprotectors- Restore and protect the cartilage from destruction.They are elements of the structure of the articular cartilage (derivatives of hyaluronic acid).They are used in the form of intramuscular and intra -fast tablets.Your important minus is a fairly long treatment.The optimal course is 6 months.Not every patient is able to comply with recommendations all the time.
• Vasodilative medicationIt is used for osteochondrosis to improve blood circulation.

It is worth noting that a medical medication only eliminates pain with osteochondrosis, but does not heal the problem.Medications do not put the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in place and do not give them back the former anatomical structure.

Not -drug treatment methods of osteochondrosis

• Massage.The main task of the massage for osteochondrosis of the spine is to relieve muscle spasms and increase blood flow.Thus, the nutrition of the cartilage improves, the edema decreases, the pain leaves, the movement in the joints is restored.Massage unfortunately gives a temporary effect.We know that there are changes in the spine in osteochondrosis so that it does not work to completely restore them.In addition, osteophytes have already formed, which are confused with "salt deposits".
• Manual therapy.Previously, this treatment method of osteochondrosis was quite skeptical.However, a clinical study carried out in 2017 with great woken people showed the effectiveness of manual therapy.Nevertheless, manual therapy for osteochondrosis must be taken extremely carefully.First you have to make an MRI to determine the exact damage location.Many manual therapists act intuitively without certain knowledge and skills.However, this is not the case in which it is necessary to play intuition, especially with intermediate hernia.The manual therapist with an incapable approach can harm more than the disease itself. Before you make a decision about such procedures, you should be responsible for looking for a specialist.
• Medical sports lessons (training therapy)- Perhaps the most effective method for the treatment of osteochondrosis.Since this disease is most often a result of a lack of spine, physical exercises are what you need!The specialist selects a number of exercises and monitors its implementation.In order to maintain the effect after the training course, it is necessary to continue the exercises.You can choose a sport that is suitable for people with osteochondrosis.Swimming, yoga and Pilates, is an ideal option for osteochondrosis of the spine.It is good to stay at the horizontal bar several times a week (if there are no contraindications).Stretching exercises help to pull out the spine and relax the tense muscles.

Not every sport is indicated for osteochondrosis.For example, running can make the disease worse.Before you make this or this decision, it is therefore advisable to consult a physiotherapy specialist.

And of course you should think about changing your lifestyle.Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that is required for a long time.Medicines or massages do not reply the spine with a flawless look, and this must be reconciled.And this means that it is not only required for special exercises, but also has to adapt some of your habits.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

• First, it is necessary to pay attention to your workplace.When you sit, try to tilt forward.The chair should be with a hard back and a lumbar spine.
• Follow the attitude.It is not only beautiful, but also good for health.
• Try not to raise weights.If necessary, enter a special bandage or a corset for the back.
• If the cause of osteochondrosis of the spine has become overweight, you have to get rid of additional pounds.

The health of the spine is in our hands!