Spine osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes, treatment

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease in which the structure and function of the intervertebral discs and cartilage are impaired. It is accompanied by regular painful sensations, because the affected tissues must provide 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 load on the spine, which leads to their destruction or deformation. This leads to damage to the 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 people after 40 years. This is due to age-related disorders of salt metabolism and dehydration of the body. Factors provoking the development of the disease:

• stoop, leading to curvature of the spine;
• undeveloped spinal muscles;
• being in an uncomfortable 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 overload, stress with neurological manifestations;
• hormonal disorders in the body;
• professional sports related to power loads;
• spinal injury;
• an abrupt change of position.

It is important to know!Unfavorable climatic conditions, periodic hypothermia can contribute to the development of the disease! Therefore, you should protect yourself as much as possible from these factors.

Common symptoms of the disease

Osteochondrosis is always accompanied by pain and numbness. Such ailments can also appear:

• sharp, cutting, stabbing pain;
• aching limbs;
• dizziness, sometimes loss of consciousness;
• dryness and exfoliation of the skin;
• profuse sweating;
• low extremity temperature.

Depending on which part of the spine the disease develops, other specific symptoms appear.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine: signs

This 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 the blood supply to the brain. Because of this, the patient experiences severe headaches, dizziness, general weakness of the body. The concentration of attention decreases, the ability to memorize worsens.

It is accompanied by pain in the back of the neck, under the shoulder blades, in the forearm, sometimes the upper limbs go numb.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region

This type of disease is quite rare, most often along with damage to other parts of the spine. It can be accompanied by such ailments:

• pain between the shoulder blades;
• sharp pain with a deep breath;
• weakness and numbness in the fingers.

There are situations when a disease in the thoracic region can cause discomfort in the heart region.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The most common type of disease, because the lower back takes on the maximum load for a person's entire life. It can cause osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome. This disorder is characterized by pinching of the nerve roots in the lumbar region, accompanied by a variety of pain, and can radiate to the thigh and buttock area.

During the development period, the normal work of the lower extremities is disrupted and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• tingling sensation in the back of the leg;
• weakness of the lower limbs;
• numbness of the toes.

Disorders of the genitourinary system and intestinal function can also occur.

Important to remember!At 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:

1. 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, slight weakness in the back with feelings of discomfort, which are attributed to overwork. The disease is slow, usually detected randomly at the time of a routine checkup.
2. 2nd degree spinal osteochondrosis. Pain symptoms 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 thanks to drugs.
3. 3rd degree spinal osteochondrosis. An irreversible process of deformation of cartilage tissues begins, which is the cause of the development of scoliosis, lordosis and the appearance of a hump. Treatment at this stage will improve the condition and minimize the curvature.
4. 4th degree spinal osteochondrosis. In 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, this leads to 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 begin timely treatment.

Diagnosis of the disease

Complaints emerging from the patient require the contact of a specialist. To establish a diagnosis, you should make an appointment with a neurologist or traumatologist, who, after a detailed survey and examination, will send you to undergo such studies:

• Magnetic resonance;
• Ultrasound;
• electrocardiogram;
• radiography;
• general blood and urine analysis.

Based on the research carried out, the doctor makes a conclusion and prescribes effective treatment, depending on the stage of the disease.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

There are many ways you can influence the course of the disease. They are aimed not only at relieving discomfort, but also at complete recovery. The most effective treatments are:

Pharmacological treatment

They are aimed at relieving painful sensations, relieving inflammatory processes, restoring cartilage tissues and preventing the dynamic development of the disease. Taking vitamins during this period is very important.

Chondroprotector

The therapeutic effect does not appear immediately, so a course is prescribed, the duration of which is about 2 months.

injections

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 to 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 also helps relieve 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 to restore blood flow, eliminate toxins and improve the state of the body as a whole. Effectively relieves painful sensations. This type of massage cannot be done on the spine itself, mammary glands, heart and kidneys. Contraindications to the use of this procedure: patients with skin rashes, heart disease and pregnancy.

1. Magnetotherapy. It is used as an additional method in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Helps weaken the inflammatory process, relieves swelling, tones the spinal muscles.
2. Physiotherapy. It aims to restore the mobility of the spine, strengthen the back muscles and normalize the metabolism. It is very important not to overload yourself during exercise.
3. Massage. Necessary to eliminate pain and strengthen muscles.

Important to remember!Regardless of the stage of osteochondrosis, only a specialist prescribes methods of treatment! 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 minced garlic, which should be poured with 0, 5 liters of vodka or alcohol. Leave in a cool dark place for 1 week, shake every day. After a period of time, use as a back massage. Helps relieve pain.

Laurel and juniper

You should take 1 tsp. original ingredients, grind to a powdery consistency. Grind with softened unsalted butter in the amount of 100 g Smear the affected areas with the resulting ointment 3 times a day.

sage

It will take 1 tbsp. L. wormwood, pour 1 glass of boiling water. Insist 3 hours. Strain the resulting broth and massage your back before bedtime.

Important to remember!Regardless of the recipe chosen for the treatment, it is necessary to consult with your doctor! You may want to consider using homemade medicines as a complementary treatment.

Spinal Arthritis and Osteochondrosis

Are they recruited into the army after that diagnosis has been established? In order for a young man not to go to serve in the army, the following moments must be present:

• intervertebral osteochondrosis;
• severe shooting pain during physical exertion;
• clear signs of spinal deformity;

It is important to know!Painful sensations should be confirmed by regular seeking medical assistance! Only in this situation, the young man is not eligible 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 lead to:

• slipped disc;
• rachiocampi;
• displacement of the vertebrae.

This can lead to disruptions in the functioning of organs, a decrease in the immune system, which leads to new serious diseases.

It is important to know!Ignoring Osteochondrosis Leads to Disability! Therefore, when a disease occurs, therapy 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:

1. Diet. This is especially true of the elderly. It is necessary to minimize the consumption of spicy, fatty, canned and smoked foods. You should also avoid excessive use of salt, coffee, chocolate, alcoholic beverages. Proper nutrition helps remove salts from the body.
2. Daily morning exercises. Light exercise will help keep the body in good shape and strengthen the muscular system.
3. Orthopedic mattress. For rest, you should buy it, because healthy sleep and complete relaxation minimize the chance of developing the disease.

Particular attention should be paid to the position in which you want to sleep. The most comfortable position for the spine is the embryo. In this case, he relaxes completely. It is best to use a small pillow. In this way, you can protect your spine from excessive stress and give it the necessary rest.