Osteochondrosis - causes, symptoms and prevention of osteochondrosis. What to do during an exacerbation, how to treat?

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Osteochondrosis - causes, symptoms and prevention of osteochondrosis. What to do during an exacerbation, how to treat?
Osteochondrosis - causes, symptoms and prevention of osteochondrosis. What to do during an exacerbation, how to treat?
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Causes, symptoms and prevention of osteochondrosis

osteochondrosis
osteochondrosis

Currently, in all countries of the world, specialists are struggling with osteochondrosis, as the number of patients diagnosed with this disease increases every year.

According to statistics published in specialized media, about 80% of the world's inhabitants suffer from diseases of the spine.

Most often, osteochondrosis is diagnosed in young people whose age ranges from 15 to 30 years. This is due to the fact that the development of this disease occurs at a socially active age (the male half of the population is more difficult to tolerate osteochondrosis).

What is osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a lesion of the intervertebral discs and other tissues of the spine. Osteochondrosis is understood as a dystrophic process in the intervertebral discs. The spine is compressed, crushing the discs that are between the vertebrae. Over time, they lose their elasticity, and now the nerve endings of the spinal cord begin to pinch. There is pain, swelling appears.

In the advanced stage of osteochondrosis, people face serious complications, some of which cause disability.

Osteophyte is an abnormal bone outgrowth along the edges of the bone surface or articular processes of the vertebrae. Osteophyte appears due to the prolonged existence of instability of the spinal motion segment against the background of osteochondrosis or spinal injury. In general, an osteophyte is a protective reaction of the body to heavy loads, therefore, if the growths are removed, they return again.

International Medical Center - The whole truth about osteochondrosis and back pain. Causes, symptoms, treatment:

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, which include the following:

  • severe pain syndrome (all, without exception, patients complain of unbearable cutting, sharp or shooting pains in the spine, which are stopped by special medications);
  • numbness of lower and upper limbs;
  • muscle cramps;
  • headaches (migraines) starting in the back of the head and spreading to the temporal and parietal region;
  • aches in limbs;
  • pain in the neck, aggravated by any movement;
  • vertebral artery syndrome;
  • dizziness, loss of consciousness;
  • appearance of flies or colored spots before the eyes;
  • pain in the heart and other adjacent organs;
  • intercostal neuralgia;
  • backaches;
  • s alts are deposited;
  • chillness of the lower extremities;
  • goosebumps, tingling in the spine;
  • dryness and flaking of the skin;
  • increased or decreased sweating;
  • spasm of the arteries of the feet;
  • lowering the temperature regime of the skin of the lower extremities, etc.

The cervical and lumbar spine are the most frequently injured, as they are the most mobile. By the age of 45, the intervertebral discs stop accumulating water. And, as a result, they become not as elastic as before. Therefore, they are more prone to flattening, they can be squeezed out of the spine. This phenomenon is called intervertebral hernia. If the disk came forward or sideways, then there is no particular discomfort. But if back, then this is what is called sciatica.

Pain can come from a simple cough, sneeze, or from the exertion of the abdominal muscles. If the symptoms of osteochondrosis last more than two weeks, you need to seek help from doctors - either a neurologist or a neurosurgeon-traumatologist - and undergo an examination, preferably a comprehensive one, which necessarily includes fluoroscopy. It would be nice to have another magnetic resonance imaging.

Causes of osteochondrosis

The causes of osteochondrosis can be hypothermia, sharp turns in which the vertebrae are displaced, physical overload.

According to many experts who have studied this disease, the main cause of osteochondrosis is an incorrectly distributed load on the spinal column. As a result, in patients, directly in places on which excessive physical pressure is exerted, there is a change in the structure of cartilage tissues.

As provoking factors of osteochondrosis are:

  • stoop;
  • weak back muscles (missing muscle corset);
  • curvature of the spine;
  • being in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time;
  • weight lifting;
  • dragging heavy objects;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • metabolic disorder (the patient's body lacks phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other useful vitamins and trace elements);
  • bad heredity;
  • negative effects on the body caused by chemicals;
  • past infectious diseases;
  • general hypothermia of the body;
  • nervous shocks, stress;
  • hormonal imbalance;
  • active and strength sports;
  • frequent and sudden changes in body position;
  • falls, bruises and other spinal injuries;
  • change in the elasticity of the nucleus (gelatinous);
  • adverse climatic conditions that have a detrimental effect on weather-dependent people, etc.

Prolapsed discs are caused by lifting weights at right angles to the body. Therefore, always take the load by squatting, this will protect your spine.

Degrees of osteochondrosis

Modern medicine defines four degrees of osteochondrosis:

  1. In the first stage it is very difficult to detect this disease. Patients do not have pronounced symptoms, they experience a general malaise that is easily confused with other diseases. Often in the first stage of osteochondrosis, people experience discomfort in the back, but they associate this with overwork, physical exertion, difficult working conditions and therefore do not respond in a timely manner to the body's alarm signal. This disease proceeds sluggishly and often in a latent form. In most cases, osteochondrosis at the first stage is detected by chance, during a comprehensive examination of the patient (radiography, magnetic resonance or computed tomography).
  2. Second stage osteochondrosis is accompanied by pain, as the patient begins the process of cartilage tissue destruction. If the patient is not prescribed complex therapy, his intervertebral gaps will shrink too quickly and compression of nerve endings, lymphatic vessels and blood arteries will occur. Pain at this stage of osteochondrosis is stopped by special medications. The disease begins to cause discomfort to patients, so they are forced to turn to medical institutions for help.
  3. Third stage osteochondrosis is accompanied by fixed changes in the spine. In this category of patients, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis develop, a hump forms, etc.e. Constructive treatment will allow, if not to return, then significantly improve the condition of the spine and minimize existing defects: curvature, hump, etc.
  4. The fourth stage of this disease is accompanied by irreversible changes in the human spine. It will be difficult for the patient to move, because even with the slightest movement of the body, he will experience excruciating pain. He will have a compaction of cartilaginous tissue and displacement of the vertebrae, in parallel, pathological growths of bone tissue will form. Very often, at this stage of osteochondrosis, patients become disabled.

Consequences of osteochondrosis

Consequences of osteochondrosis
Consequences of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease that can cause muscle atrophy or disability. Most patients complain of constant pain that can only be relieved with medications or injections.

Currently, unfortunately, there are people who prefer to self-medicate, which very often leads to serious consequences. They turn to highly specialized specialists as a last resort, when they have a hernia or a pinched nerve. If the patient does not receive constructive treatment, then his condition of the intervertebral discs will gradually deteriorate.

First of all, a protrusion will be formed, which is a protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. If it bulges, the patient will experience serious violations. After the destruction of the fibrous ring, the next stage of osteochondrosis will begin - the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.

In parallel, the patient's vertebral bone tissue grows, sclerotic plaques appear inside the vessels. When the vertebral arteries begin to compress, the brain ceases to receive the necessary nutrition, as a result of which blood pressure and oxygen supply are disturbed.

In patients who have been diagnosed with an advanced stage of osteochondrosis, there is often a violation of the heart rhythm, respiratory and swallowing functions. Complications also develop in the form of hearing and vision impairment, movement coordination, etc.

What else is dangerous osteochondrosis?

The worst thing is that along with osteochondrosis, other diseases begin to appear in you. The fact is that the neurovascular bundle is damaged, blood supply worsens, as a result - a disease of the whole organism as a whole. People with impaired metabolism are most susceptible to this disease.

What to do during an exacerbation of osteochondrosis?

The time of exacerbation of this disease in most cases falls on autumn and spring, when the human body becomes most susceptible to temperature fluctuations and colds. Against the background of adverse climatic conditions, inflammatory processes can develop in the spine, resulting in severe pain. The reasons for exacerbation of osteochondrosis include a lack of vitamins in the patient's body, injuries, water with an increased level of acidity (exacerbations of the disease can occur in resorts or sanatoriums), sudden movements of the body, etc.

When osteochondrosis is manifested, patients need to follow certain recommendations of specialists:

  • sign up for a swimming pool;
  • stop playing sports (only physiotherapy exercises are allowed under the supervision of an experienced instructor);
  • eliminate hypothermia;
  • be at rest, eliminate stress and nervous shocks;
  • do not use heating pads and other warming procedures (it is recommended to wrap the injury site with a warm scarf or a special belt made of dog hair);
  • you can do a light massage, using special (painkillers) creams;
  • start taking medications prescribed by the attending physician (the specialist usually prescribes complex therapy that combines drugs that relieve pain with general strengthening drugs);
  • take vitamins (particularly needed in such a situation are B vitamins, which can be taken orally or as injections);
  • it is recommended to wear a special collar that will help relieve stress on the cervical spine;
  • if the pain syndrome cannot be stopped, the patient is prescribed surgical treatment.

In most cases, the exacerbation of osteochondrosis lasts for 7-10 days, the most acute period falls on the 3-5th day. If, after following the recommendations, the patient continues to experience pain, he should contact a medical institution or call an ambulance.

Can osteochondrosis be cured?

Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis
Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis

Many people who have dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs are interested in the question: is it possible to cure osteochondrosis and how to do it? Specialists of the world's leading clinics involved in the treatment of this disease claim that if osteochondrosis was detected at an early stage, then in most cases it is possible to completely restore the functionality of the spine. If a patient goes to a medical institution at stages 3 or 4 of the disease, then doctors can only improve his condition, since entering this phase of development, osteochondrosis provokes the formation of bone growths and a change in the shape of the spine. At these stages, a positive result can only be achieved with surgical treatment.

After such therapy, patients begin periods of remission, which they can lengthen on their own if they follow the recommendations of their doctors:

  • avoid stressful situations;
  • eat properly and rationally;
  • do swimming and exercise therapy;
  • reduce the level of stress on the musculoskeletal system;
  • normalize sleep, etc.

How to treat osteochondrosis?

Treatment of osteochondrosis, like any other disease, begins with a diagnosis. During the examination of the patient, palpation and collection of anamnesis of the disease, a specialist (vertebrologist, neuropathologist or orthopedist) prescribes a set of necessary procedures: laboratory and hardware examination. After a set of diagnostic measures, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment.

Currently, osteochondrosis is treated with medication, surgery and physiotherapy. Physical therapy and a special diet are of great benefit in the treatment of this disease. During treatment, patients are advised to stay in bed to minimize the load on the musculoskeletal system, in particular on the spine.

First of all, specialists stop the pain syndrome. After that, anti-inflammatory and decongestant drugs are prescribed. It is allowed to use ointments, creams and gels that relieve pain and inflammation. At the same time, the doctor prescribes medications that relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and help restore cartilage tissue.

A good result in the medical treatment of osteochondrosis is achieved in combination with physiotherapeutic measures. Patients are prescribed: ultrasound, electrophoresis, a magnet, etc. Healing mud and mineral waters have a beneficial effect on the spine (today there are a large number of sanatoriums and clinics located in resort areas in which patients are treated in this way).

If the patient has no contraindications to massage (no benign or malignant neoplasms have been identified), he can visit the massage room.

If none of the above methods brought the desired result, patients undergo surgical treatment of osteochondrosis. The purpose of surgery is to stabilize the structure of the spine, remove intervertebral hernias or completely affected discs, as well as eliminate factors that put pressure on the spinal cord. Due to the fact that surgical treatment of osteochondrosis is accompanied by a high risk for the patient, operations are performed in emergency cases.

exercise therapy for osteochondrosis

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, patients are recommended to engage in physiotherapy exercises. Moderate physical activity, under the watchful supervision of an experienced instructor, has a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system. In patients engaged in physical therapy, metabolic processes are normalized, mobility of the spine is gradually restored, a muscular corset is created, etc.

Today, in the treatment of osteochondrosis, specialists use various methods of exercise therapy, which are intended for a specific section of the spine. Daily exercises for patients should begin in groups, and after studying the program, you can perform a set of exercises at home.

Dr. Evdokimenko - Gymnastics for the neck, exercises for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis:

Exercises for osteochondrosis

During exercise therapy, patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis should perform certain exercises daily:

  • Bending his head forward, the patient should press the forehead area with intertwined fingers. After that, you should press: on the occipital region, on the left and on the right temple.
  • The patient should press on the forehead with the tips of four fingers. Making smooth movements, you should, as it were, stretch the skin for 45 seconds. These stretches can be done in different directions (they help restore circulation).
  • The patient should sit on a chair or on the floor, keeping their back straight, and slowly tilt their head back. The hand should gently press on the chin in the following direction: up, down. After that, you slowly need to turn your head to the right and left.
  • Sit on a chair and try to reach your chest with your chin. During this movement, you should cross your arms and put them on the back of your head, then lightly press. In this position, it is recommended to sit for no more than 1 minute. After that, you need to move your shoulders, lifting them up and down, trying to reach your ears.

Alexander Sakhniy - The best complex for osteochondrosis:

Chondroprotectors

With osteochondrosis of the spine, patients of frequencies are prescribed chondroprotectors, which have a cumulative effect, and begin to have their beneficial effects on the human body after a certain period of time. The attending physician, who includes such drugs in the course of drug therapy, prescribes chondroprotectors to patients for 2-3 months. In high doses, these drugs can put a heavy burden on the liver and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, so patients are advised to take probiotics.

Blockade

Blockade is a frequently used method of treating osteochondrosis, in which injections are made directly into the affected area (performed permanently by a professional doctor). Blockades are the most effective way to get rid of acute pain. This procedure is performed exclusively by a doctor.

Without fail, patients must take vitamins of group B as injections. In case of severe pain, patients are given a novocaine blockade, in which a specialist cuts off the affected area of the body. The effect of Novocain injections lasts long enough, but at the same time, only pain relief occurs, and not treatment.

Orthopedic pillow or collar for osteochondrosis

During sleep, a person ceases to control his actions, as a result of which he can take an uncomfortable position in which blood vessels and large arteries can be squeezed. Using a soft and uncomfortable pillow for a night's rest, a person, without suspecting it, is constantly at risk of getting a stroke, cerebral ischemia, or even dying.

That is why you should buy orthopedic pillows that will not only prevent a sudden death, but will also be used as a prevention of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Regular sleep on such a pillow, which remembers the shape and takes into account all the anatomical features of the structure of the human head, will improve the general well-being of the patient, but also significantly improve his mood. In some cases, experts recommend that their patients wear special cervical collars that help prevent the progression of the disease.

Such devices are able to adapt to the structure of the spine, taking into account the pathological curvature that has occurred. Such a collar is a roller with a dense texture. It covers the patient's neck and thus fixes the vertebrae in the correct position. Thanks to the collar, infringement of the nerve roots, as well as disruption of the circulatory system, is excluded.

Today there are several types of such devices:

  • tight collar that improves blood circulation and warms the skin on the patient's neck;
  • collar, consisting of two dense strips, between which an inflatable pillow is built (adopts the anatomical structure of the cervical spine);
  • inflatable collar made of rubber (securely fixes the neck and prevents head tilting).

Doctor Egorov - OSTEOCHONDROSIS? Forget that word!

Prevention of osteochondrosis

Prevention of osteochondrosis
Prevention of osteochondrosis

Every person should take preventive measures aimed at preventing such a dangerous disease as osteochondrosis. First of all, you need to constantly monitor your posture, not only while moving, but also while sitting at a computer or watching your favorite TV series. It is equally important to engage in physical education, which will help strengthen the musculoskeletal system and create a muscular corset.

It is recommended to choose orthopedic mattresses and pillows for a night's rest, which are designed to prevent osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. In order not to harm the musculoskeletal system, people should very carefully lift and carry heavy objects (the load should not weigh more than 15 kg).

Diet food (six times a day in fractional portions), which includes perfectly balanced meals, will normalize the work of many vital organs and systems of the human body. You should not drink drinks with a high content of caffeine, alcoholic beverages, chocolate. In limited quantities, protein foods should be consumed, in particular liver, meat, legumes.

How to sleep with osteochondrosis?

During sleep, a person should be in a position that will allow his muscles and musculoskeletal system to completely relax. This is due to the fact that a long stay in an uncomfortable position is often the cause of the development of osteochondrosis.

To minimize the load on the spinal column during a night's rest, a person must follow the following rules:

  • It is forbidden to sleep on your stomach. During sleep, a person relaxes, and his head can be turned or thrown back. As a result, blood vessels and arteries are squeezed, blood flow to the brain is disturbed, the cervical spine is in tension, etc. With osteochondrosis that has developed in the lumbar spine, it is best to lie on your back, and put a small elastic roller under the knee joints. With osteochondrosis detected in the cervical spine, the patient should lie on his side so that his head is on a small pillow, and his shoulder rests on a hard mattress.
  • The best position for rest is the “embryo” position, in which it is recommended to sleep in patients diagnosed with osteochondrosis. The patient should lie on his side, after which he should pull his legs bent at the knees to his chest. If the patient experiences discomfort, he needs to put a small pillow under his knee. Thus, it will be possible to reduce the pressure of one part of the body on another and prevent pinching of blood vessels.
  • When arranging a bed, patients should give their preference to beds with a flat base. It is best to use an orthopedic mattress (it is strictly forbidden to use a hydro mattress in case of osteochondrosis), which was developed specifically so that during sleep a person’s musculoskeletal system does not have a strong load.
  • Pillow, people with osteochondrosis, should use a small one so that the head fits on it, and the shoulders remain on the mattress. It is best to purchase a special orthopedic pillow, which is designed to prevent osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine.

If osteochondrosis is not treated?

If timely measures are not taken to treat osteochondrosis of the spine, then over time, the intervertebral discs from squeezing the vertebrae will begin to go beyond the spine. As a result, the neurovascular bundle will begin to be constantly injured. So you risk getting a herniated disc.

Which doctor treats osteochondrosis?

doctor
doctor

When detecting alarming symptoms of osteochondrosis, people, in most cases, do not know which narrow-profile specialist they need to contact. In order not to lose precious time, they should visit the nearest medical facility and make an appointment with a local therapist.

At the appointment, the doctor will carefully listen to the patient's complaints, collect an anamnesis of the disease, conduct a personal examination, prescribe a laboratory examination and refer him to a neurologist. This choice is due to the fact that most often osteochondrosis develops against the background of neurological disorders.

A neuropathologist can prescribe a comprehensive hardware examination of the patient, based on the results of which a constructive treatment will be selected. He will issue a referral to the patient for magnetic resonance imaging or to the radiologist's office, in which the specialist will conduct an x-ray, the images of which will identify the focus of the disease and assess the affected area.

In modern, well-equipped medical institutions, narrow-profile specialists deal with the problem of osteochondrosis: vertebrologists or vertebroneurologists. These doctors specialize directly in diseases of the spine, so they can very quickly relieve pain in a patient, and in the future they will coordinate and direct the actions of colleagues involved in the treatment of osteochondrosis.

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