80% of people experience varying degrees of osteochondrosis. It affects not only adults and the elderly, but also young people. Given the prevalence of the disease, everyone should know about treatment and prevention methods.
What is this disease?
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of the intervertebral discs, degenerative processes in the joints, ligaments and muscles surrounding them. The discs act as shock absorbers in the spine between the individual vertebrae (there are 32-34 of them). They are also responsible for their mobility.
The negative factors discussed below lead to cracking and destruction of the intervertebral discs. They lose their flexibility and the spine loses its elasticity. The discs are surrounded by tissues with nerve fibers, so dystrophic and degenerative processes are accompanied by pain.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Muscle spasm and dystrophy
The discs are surrounded by muscles responsible for the stability of the spine. Over time, some people convulse due to constant tension, others atrophy due to lack of stress.
This happens because every day a person:
- performs monotonous movements;
- does physically demanding work;
- spends a lot of time sitting still.
As a result, the spasmodic muscles compress the intervertebral disc and the atrophied muscles no longer support it.
Blood supply problems
The nutrition of the discs also depends on the work of the muscles surrounding the spine. With normal muscle tone, the necessary amount of nourishing synovial fluid enters the intervertebral joint.
Lack of fluid in the body
The condition of the cartilage tissue is affected by the amount of fluid that a person absorbs daily. Due to its lack, the cartilage dries out quickly, ideally it should consist of 80% water.
Metabolic disease
Problems related to the endocrine system affect the condition of the cartilage tissue. The cause of osteochondrosis is often a lack or excess of vitamins and calcium.
Stressful conditions
Nerve tension causes muscle spasms, including the discs. Muscles usually relax after tension. If you are constantly haunted by stress, this will not happen. The muscle tissue tightly compresses the cartilage between the vertebrae, gradually destroying them.
Risk factors
- Genetic background.
- Nervous tension.
- Constant physical activity.
- Sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle.
- Passion for fast food, overweight.
- Bad habits that lead to metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue.
- Diseases of the locomotor system.
Stages of development
Section I
The core of the intervertebral disc dries out. It will be lower, its fabric will crack. Painful sensations are almost imperceptible. Discomfort may occur if the patient assumes an unusual position or exercises.
section II
Disc tissues flatten and bulge. Because of this, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, and the spinal nerve roots are pinched. The fibrous membrane is destroyed, so the liquid is poorly retained in the disc core. During movement, characteristic clicks and creaking sounds appear in the spine. Pinched pain occurs due to pinched nerves, which increases with active movement.
section III
The layer of cartilage between the discs gradually wears out and thins. At this stage, the symptoms appear intensively - in the form of acute pain. Only painkillers for neuralgia can stop them quickly.
Section IV
The damage is so severe that the joints become immobile. A complete loss of mobility of the vertebral joints is possible. Due to pronounced degenerative processes, the space between the vertebrae is overgrown with bone tissue. These growths damage adjacent tissues and compress nerves, causing acute pain.
Classification and symptoms
Cervical
There are 7 vertebrae in this section, they are located close to each other, the neck muscles are relatively weak. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a fairly common disease. If this section is affected, the patient feels pain both in the entire neck and in certain parts of it, such as the collarbone or behind the ear.
The most typical symptoms:
- headache, heaviness in the back of the head, dizziness;
- tingling in the hands;
- the neck is most often tense;
- when you turn your head, the vertebrae click and crack;
- periodically have a sore throat, feel a lump in the throat;
- due to muscle tension in the neck region, it is difficult to move the arm to the side or raise it.
The manifestations of an insidious disease do not always correspond to its location. The problem lies in the cervical vertebrae and pain may occur in the chest or shoulder. Some patients complain of discomfort in the area of the heart.
Lumbar
The lumbar region contains the lumbar, sacral, and coccyx vertebrae. This section is most sensitive to shock absorption and motor loads, which is why lumbar osteochondrosis is so common. Painful sensations appear in the lumbar region. They are most often aching pains that are aggravated by active turns, exercises or long sittings.
Signs:
- movement of the spine is limited;
- the patient may feel discomfort in the hips with cramps;
- dryness, peeling of the skin on the legs and goosebumps;
- intermittent acute shooting pains may occur;
- During sleep, a person cannot take a comfortable position, since he does not feel uncomfortable in any of them.
Additional symptoms: fatigue, constant tiredness, malaise. Some patients report urinary problems and discomfort in the kidney area. In men, the potency may suffer, in women, the uterus and ovaries.
Chest
It affects the 12 vertebrae in the thoracic region. This is most often a complication of scoliosis.
Main symptoms:
- girdle pain that gets worse when you move actively;
- tingling sensation in the area of the heart;
- feeling of fullness in the armpit;
- limitation of shoulder movement;
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
Acute pain occurs between the ribs, in the sternum, in the area of one shoulder blade. Numbness may occur in the fingers, hand and forearm.
Diagnostics
At home, it is almost impossible to determine the location of the problem. Special medical equipment helps to collect the anamnesis correctly, and only the doctor can determine the symptoms and treatment.
To diagnose use:
- Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate method for obtaining objective information about the state of tissues.
- X-ray of the spine.
- Computed tomography.
How do we treat the disease?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to quickly get rid of the symptoms at home. Treatment involves an integrated approach.
General recommendations:
- observe bed rest when pain worsens;
- avoid physical activity;
- wear a support corset, bandage, belt.
Medicines
During the period of exacerbation, the following are prescribed:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- B vitamins.
The use of anti-inflammatory ointments also helps to alleviate the inflammatory process. They have a local anesthetic effect.
Medicines can only be prescribed by a doctor. Doing this on your own is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
To strengthen the ligament, the doctor prescribes exercises to be performed daily at home. They depend on which part of the spine is affected. Physical activity improves blood circulation and allows the muscles to properly support the spine.
Massage therapy
It is one of the most effective methods of treating the disease. Quickly, in 7-10 sessions, you can restore the tone of muscles that have begun to atrophy, as well as relax tense muscles.
Prevention
Treatment of osteochondrosis is difficult and takes a long time. It is easier to monitor the condition of the spine and does not lead to serious damage. To do this, you need to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and put moderate strain on the spine.
Other preventive measures:
- Take care of your posture, don't slouch.
- Do exercises at home to keep all muscle groups toned.
- Do exercises to relax your back, shoulder and neck muscles.
- Take part in yoga classes and therapeutic massages.
- Do not lift heavy objects, distribute the load evenly between your arms.
We wish you to get rid of osteochondrosis forever and keep your back and neck healthy.