The most common age-independent disease of the musculoskeletal system is osteochondrosis.Back diseases can appear in a person as early as 15 years old and remain latent in the initial stages of the disease.
About 90% of the world's population suffers from this disease.This statistic is associated with modern lifestyle: poor diet, lack of time for sports, etc. Damage to the musculoskeletal system can lead to serious complications, reduced capabilities and dysfunction of internal organs.
What is osteochondrosis and what are its causes?
Osteochondrosis of the spine is a disease that begins with inflammation of the intervertebral discs and then affects the tissues of the spine.The cartilage tissue and bone tissue of the spine are affected by degenerative changes.
When the disease occurs, the normal structure of the vertebral tissue changes.The intervertebral disc cartilage changes its structure and consistency, loses elasticity and the distance between the intervertebral discs decreases.The nerve processes of the spinal cord are pinched, which leads to a painful feeling.Next, the smaller joints of the spine change, degenerative bone growths form, which subsequently prevent the patient from bending and cause pain.
Main causes of the disease:
- The main reason for the manifestation of this disease is the uneven load on the spine (carrying a bag, obesity, heavy lifting, pregnancy).
- Sitting or lying in an incorrect position for a long time (uneven resting surface, lack of exercise, consequences of injuries) can also be the cause.
- The cause of the disease can also be flat feet.
- There is a congenital predisposition to the disease.
- Poor and unhealthy diet.
- The disease is triggered by previous back injuries.
- Frequent stress and overexertion can also cause the disease.
Today there is a not very favorable trend;Osteochondrosis begins at a young age when correct posture is not maintained and the musculoskeletal system is not yet fully developed.Young patients cannot take their health entirely seriously, so parental duty obliges them to teach their children correct posture and the rules of a healthy lifestyle.If you do not take care of your health, the disease can develop into an advanced form, manifesting itself in more severe symptoms over the years.
Osteochondrosis of the back: classification of the disease, main stages
Due to the fact that the human back can be divided into several sections, osteochondrosis of the back is also divided into several variants.
There are different types of osteochondrosis:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spinecharacterized by painful sensations in the neck and shoulder girdle, as degenerative processes of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine progress.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine- The affected thoracic area of the spine causes pain not only in the chest but also between the shoulder blades.Muscular dystrophy is detected in this area.
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spineoccurs in people with increased physical activity, which may affect reproductive function.
- Osteochondrosis of the sacral spineIt is dangerous because the course of the disease can compress nerve endings and blood arteries.
- Extensive osteochondrosis of the spinecharacterized by a combination of lesions of two or more of its parts.This case is considered the most serious and difficult to treat.
Like many other diseases, osteochondrosis of the back is painful and varies in severity.
In medicine there are several stages of back disease:
- First stage- outbreak of the disease.The patient does not notice any special changes in the body;When in an unusual position or active movements, only mild discomfort is felt in one part of the back.These symptoms are usually not given much importance and are associated with other causes of manifestation.
- Second stageis characterized by the manifestation of pain, since at this stage the process of destruction of cartilage tissue begins;Without timely medical intervention, the process of shrinking the intervertebral space can accelerate, resulting in pinching of nerves, lymphatic vessels or blood arteries.
- In the third stagea pronounced deformation of the spine occurs.Treatment at this stage reduces the rate of disease development and may stop further curvature of the spine.
- Last stageThe development of the disease leads to complete disability of the patient.At this stage, all processes associated with the disease are irreversible.The patient may have difficulty moving, insurmountable pain accompanies any movement, the spine shifts significantly, cartilage tissue becomes denser, and bone tissue grows pathologically.
Osteochondrosis: symptoms and diagnosis
Many symptoms of the disease can be confused with other diseases.
The thing is that the deformed parts of the back put pressure on neighboring organs, which causes corresponding pain.
Some young patients do not know or even realize that they may suffer from such a disease and believe that osteochondrosis is the fate of old age, which, of course, is wrong.
Symptoms of the disease:
- Pain and discomfort in the cervical spine, sternum, or lower back;
- a secondary symptom is muscle wasting in the affected area;
- Postural deformities cause internal organs to suffer, which in turn have functional disorders;
- there is numbness in the arms or legs;
- increased feeling of cold in the lower extremities;
- Headaches, dizziness appear;
- nausea occurs;
- the patient may lose consciousness;
- the appearance of water spots or spots in the eyes is possible;
- Arterial spasm of the foot occurs.
With increasing age, the secretion of intervertebral fluid decreases, the intervertebral discs become less elastic and flattening occurs, which is an intervertebral hernia.
This is important.If similar symptoms occur, contact the right specialist!
To undergo an examination, it is necessary to contact the following specialists at the first signs: a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, a traumatologist.They will refer you for examination and make an accurate diagnosis.
In order to prevent the development of the disease in a timely manner, it is necessary to detect it at an early stage of development.For this purpose, fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging or computer tomography of the spine is carried out.Sometimes additional examination of blood vessels and nerve endings is required.
Treatment of osteochondrosis: medication and surgery
Depending on the severity of the injury, back problems can be treated in different ways.Treatment methods and other areas of health promotion and prevention are selected by a specialist who initially carries out diagnostic measures.Treatment of osteochondrosis occurs using an integrated approach.The main goal is initially to relieve pain and distribute the load on the spine.
To keep the spine in the correct position and due to muscle atrophy, it is necessary to purchase and wear a special support corset.In the acute course of the disease, strict bed rest on a hard surface is recommended.
In some cases, a conservative treatment approach is not suitable and surgical intervention is necessary.Sometimes specialists also diagnose spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that was once considered incurable.Currently, a drug has emerged that can cope with this disease.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis
Treatment without the use of medication is almost impossible, as inflammation and pain can only be alleviated through the use of appropriate medication.The medication blocks the pain.There are blocks for intramuscular, punctual, epidural and intraosseous administration.Only a professional will determine what type of blockage is required in your case.Restorative vitamin therapy is carried out comprehensively.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis
It happens that conservative treatment of osteochondrosis is unsuccessful and pain interferes with life, the disease progresses, acquires a complex form and there is nothing left but to resort to a surgical solution.The main goal of such a procedure is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, which is most often caused by a hernia.This approach to treating the disease can only be determined by the attending physician.
Massage and manual therapy
Treatment of osteochondrosis must be complex.This may include massage and manual therapy.These procedures should be carried out by a qualified specialist who will not harm or aggravate the existing condition.
Massage and hydromassage help to normalize the general condition and muscle tone, improve blood circulation and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.
Treatment is possible with manual therapy.Manual therapy is used in an individually developed treatment program.The therapy helps to improve blood and lymphatic circulation, strengthen the immune system and improve the function of the musculoskeletal system.
Osteochondrosis disease: treatment with traditional methods, complications and prevention
Osteochondrosis can be treated in combination with specially selected physiotherapy exercises.Certain exercises with a measured load on the desired areas of the body strengthen the muscles and form a muscle corset for the spine.This normalizes metabolism and blood circulation and restores nutrition to the intervertebral discs.The disease osteochondrosis stops developing after therapeutic physical training.
A useful habit would be to start the morning with therapeutic exercises that prepare your motor organism for the stress that lies ahead.
Swimming, in this case a therapeutic sport, has a positive effect on the health of the spine.
Physiotherapy
Therapy also has an impact on osteochondrosis.Physiotherapy increases the effects of medication and relieves pain.The procedures are carried out using laser, electricity, ultrasound and magnets.The therapeutic dose is specifically selected and individually adjusted.Therapy can be carried out at any stage of the disease osteochondrosis.
Treatment with folk remedies
The disease osteochondrosis can also be treated with folk remedies, but you should definitely consult your doctor.Folk remedies have a minimum of side effects, but allergic reactions to some components are possible.
There are many herbal recipes that help treat the disease.The collection helps to relieve inflammation and eliminate pain.To treat the disease, you can select ready-made preparations in a specific dosage.
You can prepare your own ointment, liniment or compress according to a recipe.For example, a mixture for rubbing: radish juice (200-300 ml), honey (200-300 g), vodka (100 ml).
You can also make a tincture of cinquefoil and rub the sore spot before bed, then tie it with a warm scarf.
Compress of sea salt (300 g), dry seaweed (5-6 packs).The listed ingredients are poured with water at about 50 degrees, left to infuse for about 30 minutes and then applied to the affected area with a polyethylene-covered gauze cloth and a warm cloth on top.The compress is left for 5-6 hours, the course includes 10 procedures.
Steam the burdock leaf over steam for 10-15 minutes, then apply to the sore spot and cover with polyethylene and a warm cloth.
Half a glass of elderberry is infused with 0.5 liters of vodka for 7 days and then rubbed into the skin surface of the affected area.
This is important.Do not forget that treatment with folk remedies alone does not have the desired effect;Treatment must be comprehensive.
diet
Everyone has long known that a healthy diet is the key to health, but not everyone understands the connection between diet and musculoskeletal diseases.In order to prevent further progression of the disease and the occurrence of complications, it is necessary to follow a diet.Since excess weight puts strain on the affected spine, it is necessary to control fluid and food intake and output as well as weight.
The menu should include foods that satisfy hunger and help cleanse the intestines (vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products and fermented milk products).
It is worth avoiding foods that retain salts in the body and promote fluid retention (pickles, smoked foods, coffee, alcohol, lemonade).
Do not overuse baked goods and sweets, as eating these products leads to obesity.
Meals can be 4 to 6 times a day.If your body weight is not too high, 4 to 5 times is enough;If your body weight exceeds the norm, you should eat small portions 5-6 times a day.
The drinking regime should be limited to: 2-2.5 liters per day, no more and no less.
With the help of some products containing chondroitin, it is possible to strengthen the ligaments of the intervertebral discs and restore the cartilage structure (jelly, jellied meat, chicken wing broth, jellied fish).
Proper nutrition is the key to preventing diseases such as osteochondrosis.
Complications
If you start with osteochondrosis, it is very likely that complications will arise.
Complications arising from osteochondrosis become serious and irreversible.
- The first complication can be a vertebral fracture, which is due to a decrease in intervertebral fluid and flattening of the intervertebral discs.
- Protrusions appear - a bulge of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal.
- Salt deposits in the spine.
- A spinal cord stroke can occur.
- Limbs atrophy.
- Paralysis of the lower extremities.
- Subluxations of the vertebrae are possible.
- Kyphosis, scoliosis and other pathological curvatures of the spine occur.
- Sciatica may occur.
To avoid complications, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive treatment while adhering to diet and physical activity.
Prevention
Preventing an illness is much easier than treating it later.
To prevent the development of osteochondrosis, you must follow a number of rules:
- Lead an active lifestyle: play sports (swimming is especially good for back health), do exercises in the morning.
- If you sit for long periods of time, take breaks to warm up.
- Pay attention to your diet, drink and excess weight.
- Pay attention to correct posture when working and walking.
- Avoid wearing high heels.
- Try to adopt a comfortable and correct position while sleeping.
- Purchase an orthopedic mattress or pillow.
- Try to reduce carrying heavy objects or make sure you lift weights properly.
- Choose a seat with a comfortable backrest for support.
It is worth remembering that spinal diseases are very serious and do not have a specific age.Osteochondrosis can occur both at a young age and in old age.When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a neurologist or traumatologist.
If the disease has already manifested itself, do not forget that you need to regularly visit a doctor who will monitor the course of the disease, give recommendations and prescribe appropriate treatment or preventive measures.With existing osteochondrosis, seasonal treatment and prevention courses are carried out twice a year.
By following simple rules, you can maintain your health or avoid complications and further development of the disease.
The spine is the foundation of our body that needs to be protected.Exercise, proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle are the key to health!