Osteochondrosis is a disease in which degenerative processes occur in the spine tissues.The defeat of the intervertebral discs, the joint surfaces that fit them are developing, the bodies of the vertebrae, the ligament apparatus.As a general rule, initially, with osteochondrosis, pathological changes occur in bones and ligaments.In addition, a person is guessed on the beginning of the disease only when he begins to suffer the complications of such state: back pain, altered sensitivity, muscle atrophy, deteriorated functions of the internal organs.
This ailment is generalized among modern people: according to several sources, up to 90% of the world population suffers from osteochondrosis.Basically, the disease affects people who are already 30 years old.To date, lumbar osteochondrosis (approximately half of the cases) is revealed more frequently.
Osteochondrosis stages
The disease develops in a person in stages.In the first stage of the progression of the disease, the dehydration process of the octopo core begins.As a result, the disc height decreases and cracks are formed in the fibrous ring.However, pathological changes do not occur outside the intervertebral disc.
In the second stage, there is an approach of two neighboring vertebrae as a result of a decrease in the height of the disc, the union point of muscles and ligaments.Due to the fall of ligaments and muscles, excessive mobility of vertebrae is manifested, which causes the development of the instability of the vertebral and motor segment.During this period, vertebrae can slide or change, while spondylistz is formed.
The third stage in the development of osteochondrosis is characterized by morphological changes pronounced in the intervertebral discs.The formation of prolapses and the protuberance of the discs are produced, the subluxation is developed in the intervertebral joints and the non -vertebral joints.
When the fourth stage occurs, adaptive changes are observed in the affected vertebrae.In this case, the human body adapts to mobility too strong of the vertebrae, surpassing it.Due to the immobilization of the spine, osteophytes appear: regional bone growth on adjacent surfaces of the backbone.The osteophyte can damage a spine.Little by little, fibrous changes occur in intervertebral discs and joints.As a result, a type of housing is formed in the Vertebral-Motor segment, and the manifestations gradually disappear.
The causes of osteochondrosis
Experts express several assumptions regarding the reasons that contribute to the development of osteochondrosis.Such reasons are called mechanical trauma of the spine, disorders in the metabolic processes of the body, the arrangement of the disease, which is hereditary.But a clear cause of the development of the disease is difficult to determine due to the prevalence of the disease.It is often found in young and elderly people;Physically strong and few trained.
Sometimes you can listen to the opinion that the symptoms of osteochondrosis occur due to the deposit of salts in the human column.Patients often talk about the excretion of salts if they listen to a crunch and a crunch in the joints.In fact, the disease develops due to the deterioration of tissue nutrition.As a result, its structure gradually rebors.In bone and cartilage tissues, the renewal process is constantly produced.If a person has adequate regular physical activity, then the fabric becomes more elastic.But in people who mainly lead a sedentary lifestyle, such fabric is less lasting.
In addition, the cause of the development of osteochondrosis can be excess weight, the violation of the posture, the negative environmental conditions, the characteristics of the position of the body during the work, a bone-monsuscular bone system developed in an unequal way, pregnancy, stress, hypothermia, infection.
Therefore, the range of factors that cause the development of the disease is very wide.The characteristics of blood flow and cartilage nutrition and bone tissue play a non -role in this process.In adult vertebrates there are no vessels, therefore, oxygen and all necessary nutrients are obtained from neighboring tissues.Therefore, for the normal nutrition of the column, blood circulation is constantly activated in surrounding tissues.You can accelerate this process ensuring the active functioning of the muscles.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of the disease can be diverse and depend directly on which stage of development the disease remains.The most pronounced symptoms of the disease manifest when the pathological process extends to the back of the fibrous ring and the posterior longitudinal ligament.In the process of activating the pathological process, the patient develops reflex and compression neurological syndromes.
Osteochondrosis can appear in a variety of body areas, so the symptoms of the disease are very wide.In the patient, osteochondrosis can occur in the extremities or numbness, sometimes the pain in the chest hurts, the disorders of the functions of the genital organs and the headache.At the same time, a person does not even realize that the cause of such manifestations is osteochondrosis.
If the patient develops osteochondrosis of the thoracic column, the symptoms may resemble the manifestations of heart disease: angina sin, myocardial infarction.That is why sometimes an erroneous treatment is practiced, which leads to the additional progression of osteochondrosis.Therefore, if a person suspects developing this disease, a person should immediately consult a doctor and go through the necessary studies.
Osteochondrosis manifests mainly due to pain and a strong sense of discomfort in the back.In some cases, pain occurs periodically, unstable.For a while it can disappear.But for each person, the appearance of pain must be a very disturbing symptom and cause of concern.It is important to think and determine what exactly caused pain.For example, it could be a strong physical activity, raise gravity.
The following indicative symptom to which the osteochondrosis of the cervical column is manifested is the numbness of the arms and legs, as well as the pain in them.Similar symptoms are also characteristic of other types of osteochondrosis.Most of the time, the pain develops in the leg or left hand, sometimes it gives the heart, under the ribs.In the case of such symptoms, he does not need to immediately drink heart medications or other diseases, but he must carefully listen and evaluate the nature of pain, his changes depending on what the person is doing at this time.All your observations should be counted in detail to the doctor, after which massages, gymnastics are prescribed, other treatment methods are practiced.An appeal to a specialist in the early stages of the disease will guarantee its most effective treatment.
So, most of the time, patients who are diagnosed with osteochondrosis complain about the sensation of discomfort in the column in different places, about the pain of different intensity and character.They have a higher level of fatigue, which manifests itself in physical and mental work.Sensitivity in different areas of the body can be disturbed, more frequently in the limbs.Patients can also mark the cold in their hands and legs.A manifestation of the osteochondrosis of the cervical region is often dizziness and headache.Visual acuity can also decrease significantly.
If the patient has osteochondrosis of the lumbar column, then in this case a variety of human reproductive system disorders may appear.After the treatment of the osteochondrosis of the lumbosacro department, men often point out an improvement in power.At the same time, if the osteochondrosis of the sacral column develops in a woman, this can complicate the conception process, as well as gestation.In addition to these symptoms, other manifestations are possible with osteochondrosis: muscle cramps, movements, shooting pain, etc.
Osteochondrosis diagnosis
The most important point in the diagnostic process of osteochondrosis is the collection of an anamnesis, and, the most important moment in this process is the patient's survey, which should indicate to the doctor all complaints in details.If some symptoms of the disease determine the characteristic manifestations in osteochondrosis, then there are also many signs that it is important to differentiate from the manifestations of other diseases.The disorders of the functions of many organs, manifested in osteochondrosis, are often similar to the symptoms of gastritis, angina sinory, stomach ulcers.That is why each symptom in osteochondrosis is subject to detailed study and analysis.
During the diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the patient's age, the development of symptoms.To clarify the diagnosis, additional methods for research are used.Most of the time in this case, the radiological examination is practiced.To determine the patient's condition, a spine display radiography is performed.If there are more specific complaints, the directed radiography is practiced, aimed at the scene of the injury.
A relatively complex diagnostic method is considered myelography.This exam establishes the introduction of a contrast fluid into the Cephalorrachide channel.In this case, there is a risk of spinal cord damage, as well as the appearance of an allergic reaction.But at the same time, this method is considered informative if necessary to determine the presence of a dorsal hernia.
In addition, the use of computerized tomography, magnetic nuclear resonance is practiced.However, they are relatively expensive, therefore, they are practiced mainly if necessary to perform a differential diagnosis, as well as to determine the presence of a spine.
Osteochondrosis treatment
In order for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, it is necessary to provide not only an accurate diagnosis, but also an integrated approach to the problem.The doctor, as a rule, prescribes treatment methods, depending on which part of the column was affected.The main therapy methods for the cervical region, as well as the thoracic region and the lumbar column are massages, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, therapeutic gymnastics, vacuum therapy, traction and other methods.Parallel treatment with popular remedies can also be practiced.
The doctor prescribes the treatment in such a way that it guarantees the elimination of disturbing sick symptoms, as well as the causes that cause the pathology of the spine.Stop pain by applying physiotherapy methods, medications.Special exercises are also practiced for spine osteochondrosis.
One of the main methods of treatment of the spine and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system is the use of physiotherapy exercises.For this, special equipment for rehabilitation is used.With the help of the regular execution of exercises selected individually by a specialist, it can improve blood circulation, activate metabolism.As a result, the power of the intervertebral discs improves, and the load in the column decreases.
The physiotherapy method implies the impact on the body of several physical factors.Using a low frequency, magnetic field, laser field, pain is effectively relieved, inflammation is reduced and parallel pharmacological treatment is more effective.With the help of massage, you can relieve tension and muscle pain, activate blood circulation.Manual therapy allows to relieve acute and constant chronic pain in joints and spine, increase the volume of movements and also has a general positive effect on the body.The spinal extension procedure is used to relieve severe pain.It is done in special equipment.In the process, the intervertebral space increases, the shape of the spine is restored.Pharmacological treatment is practiced mainly during exacerbation.
But in most cases, even effective treatment only allows to slow down the progression of the disease, to prevent exacerbation.It can recover completely alone in the initial stage of osteochondrosis.It is important to keep in mind that the duration of treatment depends on how the disease is launched, the therapy methods, as well as how carefully the patient meets all the doctor's appointments and recommendations.As a general rule, the period of active treatment lasts from one to three months.After the operation, a person is restored for approximately one year.If conservative therapy does not bring the expected results, and there are also special indications, then the doctor prescribes surgical treatment.
Osteochondrosis prevention
People who already suffer manifestations of osteochondrosis should try not to overload the spine and minimize pressure on intervertebral discs.It is advisable to always try to keep your back uniform, to avoid the trauma of the spine.A comfortable bed for night sleep is important: you must choose an orthopedic mattress individually.You should not raise weights that weigh more than 10 kg, and to raise the article, you must initially sit, take an object and then get up with it.Women should not wear too high heels.In addition, people who complain about back pain should perform exercises every day that strengthen muscle corset.It is recommended to participate in swimming if possible.