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

Spinal osteochondrosis -It is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the cartilage intervertebral of the cartilage and beads is deformed.Recently, more and more often you need to hear about this disease.And it is not surprising, because if the previous osteochondrosis was considered a pathology of the elderly, now it has been very "younger".We live in an era of scientific and technological progress-we are elevators and moving stairs, transportation and means of communication that allow you to quickly transmit information, applying a minimum of physical efforts for this.As a result, for speed and comfort, we pay the health of the spine.But don't despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let us find out what changes occur in the spine with osteochondrosis, how it manifests, and we will analyze modern methods of treating this condition.

Osteochondrosis of the spine: Causes

The spine consists of beads, which are interconnected by intervertebral cartilage discs.They serve as a shock absorber and provide elasticity and mobility of the spine.

Our body grows up to 20-25 years.At this time, the intervertebral disc is equipped with blood vessels, with which active food occurs.After stopping the growth, the blood supply stops.Next, the disk receives energy from adjacent tissue, mainly from the muscles.Disks eat like a sponge, when compressed, they give metabolic products and with stretching they absorb nutrients.If for some reason the intervertebral disc does not take enough power, it begins to collapse.

Consider the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• A sedentary lifestyle.We already know that the cartilage disk feeds when compressing and extending, and for this spine must be moved.
• Forced position.This applies to office employees and drivers, because an extended landing sitting forward leads to an uneven load on the back.Imagine that the whole mass of the upper body is not pressure on the entire disk every day, but at certain points.The power of the cartilage tissue at these points is disturbed, which leads to its destruction.

Long-term lowering on the computer when climbing forward increases the load on the back by 50-70%.

• Excessive physical activity.In addition to the load on the back, muscle tension occurs, as a result of which disturbing the blood circulation of the muscle and the intervertebral disc does not receive the necessary nutrition.
• Incorrect behavior.A constant change in spinal configuration overloads the intervertebral discs.
• OverweightExcessive mass of the upper body has a load on the back.
• Age -related changes.This is a natural process, as a result of which the metabolic processes of the cartilage and bone tissue slow down.

Changes in the spine with osteochondrosis

The osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a violation of the food (trophism) of the intervertebral discs.First of all, the disk shape changes - it lasts towards the spinal canal.If the stroke of the intervertebral disc shock without a rupture of the fibrous-chryshot ring, then this condition is calledprolongation.This is one of the stages of osteochondrosis of the spine.The next step is the rupture of the fibrous-chryshot ring, which is accompanied by a displacement of the EADED core of the intervertebral disc.So -formedIntervertebral hernia.

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.It grows and forms so -called osteophytes or bone points.They compensate the load on the back while limiting movement.

Often osteophytes are called "Sali Deposition".In fact, there are no salts.These are bone formations that will not work with the help of massage and manual techniques with the help of massage and manual techniques.

Muscles for osteochondrosis also undergo certain changes.To keep the spine deformed in a normal position, they are in a state of constant tension.Muscle jumps for osteochondrosis are associated with pain and further exacerbate trophic spine structures.

A change in the form of spine structures leads to a displacement of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.In this case, the compression of the radical nerves occurs.They become inflamed and cause severe pain.

The osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome is manifested by pain in the legs, arms, chest and internal organs - heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, kidneys, etc.The numbness of the arms, legs, facial and tongue for osteochondrosis - are also a sign of compression of radicular nerves.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

Whatever spine is included in the pathological process, the disease is manifested by two main symptoms - the pain and limitation of the spine and limbs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical back

Cervical vertebrae are smaller and more mobile.In addition, the blood vessels that feed the brain pass through them.That is why the cervical spine is considered the most vulnerable.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is manifested by characteristic symptoms:

• Neck pain that can be given to the back of the head, shoulder, shoulder.The pain intensifies when bending the head;
• Headaches, dizziness, noise and bell in the ear.Against the background of the disease, hearing impairment is possible;

Headaches for osteochondrosis are a very common occurrence.People suffering from systematic headaches must necessarily be examined by a neuropathologist.According to statistics, in 30% of cases the cause of headache is cervical osteochondrosis.

• Pain in the hands and chest.Restriction of hand movements;
• Violation of coordination of movements;
• In some cases, vision and speech suffers;
• Increased blood pressure.

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

• Noise in the ears;
• Headaches, dizziness;
• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• Visual violations, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you should urgently contact a neurologist.Vertebral artery syndrome is the most common cause of young strokes.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine of the chest

The spine of the chest is less mobile than the cervix or lumbar.In this regard, it is more difficult to cure it.In the thoracic cavity there are vital organs - the heart, large blood vessels and lungs, so the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be confused with chest cavity diseases.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the spine of the chest:

• Painful pain between shoulder edges and in the chest area.The pain intensifies after a long stay in a forced position or during physical exercise;
• The pain and stiffness of movements while breathing;
• Pain between ribs (intercostal neuralgia);
• Numbness of the skin, the feeling of "goosebumps";
• Pain can give to the heart, lung, stomach and kidneys;
• Limiting movement during tendencies, lifting hands and curves of the body.

How to distinguish osteochondrosis of the spine from heart pain?

The pain for osteochondrosis of the spine of the chest can be strong enough to easily doubt heart disease.Let's take a look at how osteochondrosis differs from heart pain with angina pectoris:

1. Duration of pain.With osteochondrosis of the spine, the pain can last for days and weeks, and with angina pectoris - up to 10 minutes.
2. The relocation (ending) of the pain.With angina pectoris, the pain stops from nitroglycerin, and with osteochondrosis, analgesics are effective - Diclofenac, Meloxicam, etc.
3. Changes in ECG are characteristic of cardiac pathology, and with normal ECG osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

The lumbar spine is more susceptible to physical exercise.Anydo of our activities at home level some part of the spine.Almost everyone faced pain in the lower back, and this is the most common symptom with which they seek a doctor for help.

Signs of lumbar back osteochondrosis:

• Back pain with back, "shots" during physical exercise and with a forced long -term position.Pain in lumbar region osteochondrosis combines with termRadiculite.
• Violation of the work of the genitourinary authorities.Pain in the kidney area, difficulty in urinating.Women may have a menstrual cycle violation, ovarian and uterus pain, and men have power problems.
• Pain in the buttocks, hips, lower legs and feet.Violation of foot sensitivity, tingling, numbness.
• With prolonged compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, interspersing dementia can develop.When walking, a person begins to lame, and he must stop and rest.

The treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

Once you have treated the symptoms of osteochondrosis, a logical question arises - what else to do, how to deal with osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will cure osteochondrosis.With a small reservation - with timely treatment and desire to get involved in your health.And a lot in our hands.Like any chronic disease, spinal osteochondrosis is treated for a long time.Don't hope you can get rid of symptoms within a week.

Currently, conservative treatment is actively practicing, which includes a whole range of measures.The main thing that the patient must understand is passively treated.With severe pain, you will be prescribed sedatives of anti -inflammatory relaxants and muscle relaxants.But in some cases, you can do without medication.Let's look at the treatment methods used to treat osteochondrosis.

Preparations for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

• Non -inflammatory non -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These medicines will help relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in the form of injections, tablets and local products - gel or ointments.It is necessary to keep in mind that anti -inflammatory non -steroidal drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis cannot be taken on a continuous basis, as they can lead to gastritis and stomach ulcers.
• Musorexant- a group of medicines that relieve muscle tension, thereby reducing the load on the back and improving their blood flow.They relieve muscle spasm with osteochondrosis of the spine.Most effectively work in combination with NSAIDs.
• Chondroprotectors- Restore and protect the cartilage from destruction.They are elements of the articular cartilage structure (hyaluronic acid derivatives).They are used in the form of tablets, intramuscularly and intra -fast.Their important minus is a fairly long treatment.The optimal course is 6 months.Not every patient is able to obey the recommendations throughout this time.
• VasodilatFor osteochondrosis, it is used to improve blood circulation.

It is worth noting that any medical medicine only relieves pain with osteochondrosis, but does not cure the problem.The medicines will not place their beads and discs in place and will not return their former anatomical structure.

Non -DRUG methods of osteochondrosis treatment

• MassageThe main task of massage for osteochondrosis of the spine is to relieve muscle spasm and increase blood flow.Thus, cartilage food improves, edema decreases, pain decreases, movement in the joints is restored.Massage, unfortunately, gives a temporary effect.We know that with osteochondrosis there are changes in the back, so it will not work to completely restore it.Moreover, if osteophytes are already formed, which are mistaken for "salty deposits".
• Manual therapy.Previously, this method of treating osteochondrosis was quite skeptical.However, a large -scale clinical study conducted in 2017 showed the effectiveness of manual therapy.However, manual therapy for osteochondrosis should be taken extremely carefully.First of all, you need to make an MRI to determine the exact place of damage.Many manual therapists act intuitively, without certain knowledge and skills.But this is not the case when it is necessary to play intuition, especially with intervertebral hernia.The manual therapist with a disabled approach can harm more than the disease itself, so before making a decision on the course of such procedures, you must take responsibility for the search for a specialist.
• Physical Medical Education (Exercise therapy)- Probably the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis.Since this disease is most often a consequence of the lack of spinal cord, physical exercise is what you need!The specialist will choose a set of exercises and monitor their implementation.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.An ideal option for osteochondrosis of the spine is to swim, yoga and pilates.It is best to hang on the horizontal bar several times a week (if there are no contraindications).Stretch exercises help to "pull" the spine and relax the tense muscles.

Not every sport is shown for osteochondrosis.For example, running can worsen the disease.Therefore, before making this or that decision, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapy specialist.

And of course, you have to think about changing your lifestyle.Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, namely, it is necessary to treat it for a long time.Medicines or massage will not turn the spine with an pristine appearance, and this must be agreed.And that means that it will be necessary not only to do special exercises but also to fix some of your habits.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

• First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to your workplace.If you work sitting down, try to avoid the slope forward.The chair should be with a solid spine and a lumbar twist.
• Follow the behavior.It is not only beautiful, but also good for health.
• Try not to lift the weights.If necessary, place a special bandage or a corset for the back.
• If the cause of osteochondrosis of the spine has become excessive weight, you will need to get rid of extra pounds.

The health of the spine is in our hands!