80% of people have osteochondrosis in varying degrees of manifestation. It affects not only adults and the elderly, but also young people. Considering the prevalence of the disease, each person should know the methods of its treatment and prevention.
What is this disease?
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of intervertebral discs, degenerative processes in the joints, ligaments and muscles that surround 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 your mobility.
Negative factors, which we will discuss below, lead to cracking and destruction of intervertebral discs. They lose elasticity and the spine loses flexibility. 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 spinal stability. Over time, some spasm due to constant tension, others atrophy due to lack of stress.
This happens because a person day after day:
- makes monotonous movements;
- performs physically difficult work;
- spends a lot of time immobile.
As a result, spasmodic muscles compress the intervertebral disc and atrophied muscles no longer support it.
Blood supply problems
The nutrition of the discs also depends on the work of the muscles that surround the spine. With normal muscle tone, the required volume of nutritious synovial fluid enters the intervertebral joint.
Lack of fluid in the body
The condition of cartilaginous tissue is affected by how much fluid a person absorbs per day. With its deficiency, cartilage dries quickly and, ideally, should be made up of 80% water.
Metabolic disease
Problems with the endocrine system affect the condition of cartilaginous tissue. Osteochondrosis is often caused by a deficiency or excess of vitamins and calcium.
Stressful conditions
Nerve tension causes muscle spasms, including those that support the spinal discs. Normally, after tension, muscles relax. If stress haunts a person constantly, this does not happen. Muscle tissue strongly compresses the cartilage between the vertebrae, gradually destroying them.
Risk factors
- Genetic background.
- Nervous tension.
- Constant physical activity.
- Sedentary work, sedentary lifestyle.
- Passion for junk food, excess weight.
- Bad habits that lead to metabolic disorders in cartilaginous tissue.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Development stages
Stage I
The nucleus of the intervertebral disc becomes dehydrated. It becomes lower and its tissue cracks. Painful sensations are almost imperceptible. Discomfort may occur if the patient assumes an unusual position or exercises.
Stage II
The disc tissues become flattened and swollen. Due to this, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the spinal nerve roots are compressed. The fibrous membrane is destroyed, so that fluid is poorly retained in the disc core. When moving, characteristic clicks and crunching sounds appear in the column. Due to pinched nerves, pinpoint pain occurs, which increases with active movements.
Stage III
The cartilaginous lining between the discs gradually wears away and becomes thinner. At this stage, the symptoms manifest themselves intensely - in the form of sharp pains. Only painkillers for neuralgia can stop them quickly.
Stage 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 covered with bone tissue. These growths injure neighboring tissues and compress nerves, which causes sharp pain.
Classification and symptoms
Cervical
There are 7 vertebrae in this section, they are located close to each other, and the neck muscles are relatively weak. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a fairly common disease. When this section is affected, the patient feels pain both in the entire neck and in certain parts of it, for example, in the collarbone or behind the ears.
The most characteristic symptoms:
- headache, heaviness in the back of the neck, dizziness;
- tingling in the hands;
- the neck is often tense;
- when you turn your head, the vertebrae crack and pop;
- periodically there is a sore throat, a feeling of a lump in the throat;
- Due to muscle tension in the cervical region, it is difficult to move the arm to the side or lift it.
The manifestations of an insidious disease do not always correspond to its location. The problem may be in the cervical vertebrae and pain may occur in the chest or shoulder. Some patients complain of discomfort in the heart region.
Low back
In the lumbar region are the lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae. This section is most susceptible to shock absorption and motor loads, which is why lumbar osteochondrosis is so common. Painful sensations occur in the lower back. Most of the time, these are achy pains that intensify with active turning, exercise, or long periods of sitting.
Signals:
- the spine has limited movements;
- the patient may feel discomfort in the hip with spasms;
- dryness, peeling of the skin on the legs and goosebumps are observed;
- periodic sharp pains may occur;
- During sleep, the person cannot stay in a comfortable position, as they feel uncomfortable in one of them.
Additional symptoms: fatigue, constant fatigue, malaise. Some patients report problems urinating and discomfort in the kidney area. In men, potency may be impaired; in women, the uterus and ovaries can suffer.
Chest
It affects 12 vertebrae located in the thoracic region. Most often, this is a complication of scoliosis.
Main symptoms:
- waist pain that becomes stronger if you move actively;
- tingling sensation in the heart region;
- feeling of fullness in the armpits;
- restriction of shoulder movements;
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
The sharp pain appears between the ribs, in the sternum, in the region of one of the shoulder blades. There may be numbness in the fingers, hand and forearm.
Diagnosis
At home, it is almost impossible to determine the location of the problem. Special medical equipment will help you correctly collect the anamnesis, and only a doctor can determine the symptoms and treatment.
For diagnostic use:
- MRI is the most accurate method for obtaining objective information about the condition of tissues.
- X-ray of the spine.
- Computed tomography.
How to treat the disease?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to quickly eliminate symptoms at home. Treatment involves an integrated approach.
General recommendations:
- observe bed rest during exacerbation of pain;
- avoid physical activity;
- use a supportive corset, bandage, belt.
Medicines
During periods of exacerbation, the following is prescribed:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- B vitamins.
Applications of anti-inflammatory ointments also help to alleviate the inflammatory process. They have a local anesthetic effect.
Medication prescriptions must be made exclusively by a doctor. Doing this alone is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
To strengthen the muscular corset, the doctor prescribes exercises that must be performed daily at home. They depend on which part of the spine is affected. Physical activity improves blood circulation and allows muscles to properly support the spine.
Massage therapy
One of the most effective methods in treating this disease. Quickly, in 7 to 10 sessions, you can restore tone to muscles that have begun to atrophy, as well as relax tense muscles.
Prevention
Treating osteochondrosis is difficult and time-consuming. It is easier to monitor the condition of the spine and not cause serious damage. To do this, you need to lead a healthy, active lifestyle and moderately load your spine.
Other preventive measures:
- Watch your posture, don't slouch.
- Do exercises at home to keep all muscle groups toned.
- Do exercises to relax the muscles in your back, shoulders and neck.
- Attend yoga classes and therapeutic massage sessions.
- Do not lift heavy objects, distribute the load evenly across the arms.
We wish you to get rid of osteochondrosis forever and keep your back and neck healthy.