80% of people experience osteochondrosis in varying degrees of manifestation. It affects not only adults and the elderly, but also young people. Considering the prevalence of the disease, every person should know the methods of treatment and prevention.
What is this disease?
Osteochondrosis is the degeneration of 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.
Negative factors, which we will talk about below, lead to rupture 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 spasms and dystrophy
The discs are surrounded by muscles responsible for the stability of the spine. 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 jobs;
- he spends a lot of time immobile.
As a result, spasmed muscles compress the intervertebral disc, and atrophied muscles cease to 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 required volume of nourishing synovial fluid enters the intervertebral joint.
Lack of fluids in the body
The condition of the cartilage tissue is influenced by the amount of liquid a person absorbs per day. With its deficiency, cartilage dries out quickly and ideally should be made up of 80% water.
Metabolic disease
Problems with the endocrine system affect the condition of the cartilage tissue. Osteochondrosis is often caused by a deficiency or excess of vitamins and calcium.
Stressful conditions
Nervous tension causes muscle spasms, including those that support the spinal discs. Normally, after tension, the muscles relax. If stress constantly haunts a person, this does 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 junk food, overweight.
- Bad habits that lead to metabolic disorders in cartilage tissue.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Development phases
Phase I
The nucleus of the intervertebral disc becomes dehydrated. It sags and its fabric breaks. Painful sensations are almost imperceptible. Discomfort may occur if the patient assumes an unusual position or exercises.
Phase II
The disc tissues flatten and swell. Because of this, the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the roots of the spinal nerves are pinched. The fibrous membrane is destroyed, so fluid is poorly retained in the disc core. When moving, characteristic clicks and creaking sounds appear in the spine. Due to pinched nerves, localized pain occurs, which increases with active movements.
Phase III
The cartilaginous lining between the discs gradually wears away and becomes thinner. In this phase, the symptoms manifest themselves intensely, in the form of acute pain. Only painkillers for neuralgia can stop them quickly.
IV stage
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 damage nearby tissues and compress nerves, causing 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 some parts of it, for example in the collarbone or behind the ears.
The most characteristic symptoms:
- headache, heaviness in the back of the head, dizziness;
- tingling in the hands;
- the neck is often tense;
- when you turn your head, the vertebrae snap and creak;
- periodically there is a sore throat, sensation of lump in the throat;
- due to muscle tension in the cervical region, it is difficult to move the arm to the side or raise it.
Manifestations of an insidious disease do not always correspond to its location. The problem may lie in the cervical vertebrae, and the pain may occur in the chest or shoulder. Some patients complain of discomfort in the heart area.
Lumbar
The lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae are located in the lumbar region. This section is most susceptible to shock absorption and motor loads, which is why lumbar osteochondrosis is so common. Painful sensations occur in the lumbar region. Most often these are aching pains that intensify with active shifts, exercises or long periods of sitting.
Signs:
- the spine is limited in movement;
- the patient may experience hip discomfort with spasms;
- Dryness, peeling of the skin on the legs and goosebumps are noted;
- acute periodic stabbing pains may occur;
- During sleep, a person cannot take a comfortable position, as he feels uncomfortable in any of them.
Additional symptoms: fatigue, constant tiredness, malaise. Some patients report problems with urination and discomfort in the kidney area. In men, potency can suffer; in women the uterus and ovaries may suffer.
Chest
It affects 12 vertebrae located in the thoracic region. Most often this is a complication of scoliosis.
Main symptoms:
- stabbing pain that becomes stronger if you actively move;
- tingling sensation in the heart area;
- feeling of fullness in the armpits;
- limitation of shoulder movements;
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
Sharp pain appears between the ribs, in the sternum, in the area of one of the shoulder blades. You may experience numbness in your fingers, hand, and forearm.
Diagnostics
At home it is almost impossible to determine the location of the problem. Special medical equipment will help you correctly collect the medical history, and only a doctor can determine the symptoms and treatment.
For diagnostic use:
- Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate method for obtaining objective information on the state of tissues.
- X-ray of the spine.
- Computed tomography.
How to treat the disease?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to quickly eliminate symptoms at home. The treatment involves an integrated approach.
General recommendations:
- observe bed rest during exacerbation of pain;
- avoid physical activity;
- wear a support corset, bandage, belt.
Medicines
During periods of exacerbation the following is prescribed:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- B vitamins.
Applications with anti-inflammatory ointments also help alleviate the inflammatory process. They have a local anesthetic effect.
The prescription of drugs must be carried out exclusively by a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to do it yourself.
Physiotherapy
To strengthen the muscle 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 the muscles to adequately support the spine.
Massage therapy
One of the most effective methods in treating this disease. Quickly, in 7-10 sessions, you can restore tone to muscles that have started to atrophy, as well as relax tense muscles.
Prevention
Treatment of 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 the spine.
Other preventive measures:
- Watch your posture, don't slouch.
- Do exercises at home to keep all muscle groups toned.
- Perform exercises to relax your back, shoulder and neck muscles.
- Take part in yoga classes and therapeutic massage sessions.
- Do not lift heavy objects, distribute the load evenly on your arms.
We wish you to get rid of osteochondrosis forever and keep your back and neck healthy.