Humans are the only mammals that walk with their backs upright.In this regard, the spine experiences a great load.On the one hand, the predominance of a sedentary lifestyle, on the other hand, physical activity associated with lifting heavy objects, sudden movements and even driving in public transport;All these factors contribute to the occurrence of a common disease such as osteochondrosis.Moreover, this disease is most often found in the working part of the population.
What is osteochondrosis, its types and stages
Osteochondrosis is a process in which the elasticity of the intervertebral discs is disturbed.Under the influence of adverse factors, the disc loses fluid, becomes denser and less flexible.This happens due to the load on the spine during movement: the pressure on the axis of the disc compresses the fluid inside it.During a night's rest, the spine should fully recover, but with a sedentary lifestyle, this does not happen, because the muscles and ligaments gradually lose their ability to stretch and therefore fully recover.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
This type of osteochondrosis is considered the most insidious.The vertebrae that make up the neck are very close together.Even a small deformation of one of them leads to serious consequences: headache, increased pressure, heartache.If the disease has progressed, numbness in the limbs, ringing in the ears, difficulty breathing, and vision problems may occur.Some symptoms can easily be confused with regular headaches or fatigue, but if the symptoms recur regularly, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to ensure that the correct diagnosis is made in time.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptom of this type is chest pain.It often appears on one side and is defined as pain or stabbing.A characteristic feature is the connection with movement, and the pain intensifies with static loads.There are two types of chest pain: one is a sharp but short-term attack, and the other is mild but long-lasting.If you consult a doctor in time, it is possible to treat the disease without resorting to surgical methods.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
This is the most common type of osteochondrosis.It affects both men and women with equal frequency.Sharp pain occurs in the region where the lumbar region passes into the sacral region.The main problem is the reduction of cartilage tissue, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, which is a direct way to the formation of intervertebral hernia.Pain can appear for various reasons: compression of nerve endings, narrowing of blood vessels, compression of the sciatic nerve.The doctor will determine the exact cause.
Damage to two or more parts of the spine
Osteochondrosis, which affects the entire spine or several parts, worsens the general condition of a person.The probability of the occurrence of hernias increases many times.Constant pain makes it impossible to lead a normal life.It is necessary to start the treatment of the disease as soon as possible before the process of changes in the cartilage tissue becomes irreversible.
There are four stages of disease development:
- the initial stage is manifested by small and short-term pain due to the unstable operation of the spine;
- in the second stage, the vertebrae are displaced, which shortens the distance between them;
- in the third stage, serious deformations of the intervertebral discs are already possible until the rupture occurs;
- in the last stage, the person feels stiffness in movements, which may be accompanied by sharp pain.
Symptoms and signs
It is difficult to track the onset of the disease because there are no clear symptoms.Sometimes after sitting or lying in one position for a long time, your back becomes numb and your legs feel like pins and needles.All these unpleasant sensations pass quickly, you just need to move or rub your stiff leg.Acute pain, as always, comes unexpectedly: a person stumbles, turns sharply - and a pain syndrome arises, which is scary even to think about the next step.Pressing on the affected area causes pain, limited movement, and muscle tension.A protective spasm occurs;Thus, the body protects the painful area from further movements.This condition usually lasts for about 24 hours until the muscles relax.
Thus, symptoms of osteochondrosis include discomfort in different parts of the body accompanied by pain.Painful sensations can be concentrated in the neck, shoulders, back, chest.Symptoms described may include headache, dizziness, fatigue, heart pain, and loss of sensation in the limbs.Based on the localization of the pain syndrome, the doctor will be able to determine where the changes begin in the spine.
Reasons for development
The causes of the disease include factors that prevent the proper nutrition of the disc and make its recovery impossible:
- long stay of the body in positions that adversely affect the activity of the spine (first of all, sitting);
- injuries;This point is especially true for people involved in sports involving heavy loads on the spine (for example, weightlifting);
- work related to long-term static loads (for example, assembly line worker, hairdresser, etc.);With such work, muscle congestion and poor circulation are observed.
Since the main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine, other factors that seem insignificant at first glance can also affect human health.Carrying a bag with only one hand, the habit of sitting with a bent, bent back, sleeping on a soft feather bed, the curvature of the neck position during sleep (high pillow), uncomfortable (though fashionable) shoes - all these also play the role of a prerequisite for back diseases.Unhealthy lifestyle, obesity and adolescent scoliosis can make the condition worse.
Risk factors include:
- tall people, because their back muscles are poorly developed;
- anyone who leads a sedentary lifestyle;
- those who are forced to lift weights by their profession;
- truck drivers who experience prolonged vibration;
- former athletes;
- those who already have similar diseases in their family;
- pregnant women and women during menopause;
- elderly people;
- smokers.
How to diagnose the disease
If the patient notices the above symptoms, then he should consult a local doctor who will refer the patient to a neurologist.To clarify the diagnosis, the neurologist can refer the patient to a more specialized specialist - a vertebroneurologist (a doctor who only deals with diseases of the spine).A good chiropractor can also detect disease by palpating the back.If the patient suspects a hernia, then a trauma surgeon is indispensable.
Instrumental methods are also used to diagnose:
- X-ray of the spine;
- myelography (this is a picture of not only bones, but also nerve endings and other structures);
- examination of reflexes (the famous hammer of the neurologist);
- computed tomography;
- nuclear magnetic resonance (the most accurate and safe diagnostic method);
- magnetic resonance imaging (indispensable method for vertebral disc pathology).
The doctor also prescribes the usual tests to the patient.
You should pay attention to the number of leukocytes and ESR in the general blood test.An increase in values will indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.A low hemoglobin level will indicate a lack of protein food, which can directly affect the development of degenerative processes.
A general urine test will show the percentage of mineral salts in the body.An increased ratio indicates a violation of the correct balance of nutrients in food.
An increase in blood glucose also indicates that the patient is not eating properly.In addition, it can be the first symptom of diabetes, which causes complications for all organs of the human body.
Analyzing the level of cholesterol in the blood is also very important, because it shows the condition of the blood vessels.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the initial stage of the disease, drug treatment is used in a minimal amount.Medicines are needed to alleviate the patient's condition, eliminate inflammation and improve metabolism.If these procedures are not enough, the doctor prescribes a blockade, which is a fairly effective tool, that is, injections.Elderly people are prescribed drugs that do not accumulate in the body.
Physiotherapy is a good complement to drug treatment.Physiotherapy methods include: ultrasound, use of a magnetic field, low-frequency current, laser therapy, etc.The principle of action is aimed at dilating blood vessels and increasing blood circulation.Thus, an analgesic effect is achieved and the disturbed immune response is normalized.
Physical therapy also has a beneficial effect on the spine.A properly selected set of exercises can make even the most neglected patients stand up.Under the influence of physical activity, not only the impaired functions are restored, but also the general mental state of the patient improves.The prescription of such therapy gives the patient confidence that he can return to a full-fledged lifestyle.A simulator as a special treatment board has proven itself perfectly.This is an inexpensive and effective way to restore spinal function.
Massage action is based on complex metabolic processes.Thanks to this, blood and lymph circulation in the affected area improves, which helps metabolism, relaxes muscle tone, improves joint mobility and skin condition.Massage relieves pain, fatigue, and improves the physical condition of the body.
Manual therapy should be performed only by a specialist, because an illiterate specialist can harm the patient.Such therapy is a complex of measures that can radically improve a person's condition.A good specialist can free the patient from functional blockage and restore the ability to fully use the affected organ.Impact pressure, torsion, push, jump, etc.is carried out using
Stretching the spine works well.It can be underwater or dry.It is used to increase the space between the disks.Underwater, as the name suggests, takes place under water, and dry takes place on tables with special equipment.Depending on the position of the body, the extension can be vertical or horizontal.
Consequences of ignoring the disease
It is believed that everyone has chondrosis.But this is not a reason to ignore the problem.This is not a completely harmless diagnosis.Especially in advanced cases, the disease can cause disability.
If you ignore the treatment, the following complications may occur later:
- hernia;
- protrusion (initial change in the intervertebral disc);
- kyphosis (hump in the back);
- radiculitis;
- salt deposits;
- spinal cord stroke;
- circulatory disorders;
- paralysis of the legs
Untreated cervical osteochondrosis can cause headaches, dizziness and insomnia.The chest becomes intercostal neuralgia.Lumbar sciatic nerve inflammation causes consequences such as genitourinary system malfunction.The main condition for the treatment of osteochondrosis is compliance with the stages, and only constant purposeful efforts will give good results.
Disease prevention
Prevention plays an important role in maintaining a healthy spine.The first step is to reduce the risk of workplace injury.This applies to dynamic and static loads.If there is such a possibility, you should move to another workplace with the first feeling of pain in your back.Otherwise, you should take the necessary measures: constantly change your body position, optimize your workplace, do gymnastics or at least some exercises.Yoga classes can play a special role.This ancient Indian system of poses, called asanas, can help release all tension in the body, relax and lengthen the spine.
Correct work with weights is not less important in prevention.
There are a few rules that anyone protecting their back should follow:
- do not lift weights with outstretched arms;it would be correct to sit down and stand up with a straight back, pressing the load to your chest;
- You cannot carry a load with one hand;it would be correct to divide its weight into two, approximately equal parts;
- even if the weight of the luggage is small, you need to stop and rest your hands from time to time;
- the spine must be prepared for the load;A regular set of exercises to strengthen the back, that is, the muscle corset, can help in this.
If it is not possible to do exercises regularly, you can replace it with a more familiar walk.It is advisable to take at least 8,000 steps every day, but you must ensure good posture and combine steps with proper breathing;When walking, you can try different walking options: on your toes, on your heels, raising your legs high, racing walking.If you don't have time for this, even a short but energetic walk to and from work will benefit the body.
Swimming combines the ability to relax the vertebrae and feel physical activity.In water, Archimedes' law applies, which reduces the weight of the human body, so the muscles relax and the spine stretches.In addition, swimming allows you to keep your body in good shape.
Running can also serve as disease prevention.It should be remembered that both lack of physical activity and excessive physical activity damage the spine.You need to carefully monitor the condition of your body and avoid pain.
If signs of inflammation appear, a medicine applicator can help.When the needles come into contact with the patient's skin, nerve endings are irritated, blood vessels expand, blood circulation improves and the pain syndrome weakens.Longer exposure, up to 40 minutes, induces muscle relaxation.
Proper nutrition is one of the most effective ways of prevention.
It should achieve several goals:
- struggle with excess weight;
- the right amount of vitamins and minerals;
- prevent dehydration of the body;
- slows down destructive processes.
To achieve the goals of the diet, food should be low-calorie and should contain dairy products, fish, eggs, greens, vegetable oil.Doctors advise to eat broth-based dishes: soups, borscht, jellied meats, aspic.Indeed, such foods contain protective substances that protect cartilage tissue.However, elderly people should approach such a diet with caution, because the fat in concentrated broths can clog the blood vessels in the brain.
The health of the spine is in each person's hands.If you start doing gymnastics at the first pain, sign up for a swimming pool and review your diet, you can not only slow down the process of destruction of the vertebrae, but also improve the health of the body in general.If you do not have the time or desire to lead an active lifestyle, you should follow the basic safety rules described above in this article.