Treatment of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine in which degenerative changes occur in the discs located between the vertebrae. These changes are inevitable when the metabolism and nutrition of the cartilage tissue deteriorate, and their result can be aging and destruction of intervertebral cartilage. Treatment of osteochondrosis is a long and complex process that can only be crowned with success if the patient consults a doctor on time and then strictly follows all his recommendations.
Content:
- How osteochondrosis manifests itself
- Differences in osteochondrosis of different parts of the spine
- Why osteochondrosis develops
- Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
- Basic treatment methods
- Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
- How to avoid osteochondrosis
How osteochondrosis manifests itself
The disease can affect all parts of the spine, it is quite difficult to recognize it on your own. This is due to the fact that the signs of the disease are not unique and characteristic exclusively for osteochondrosis, its manifestations are similar to those that occur in diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and other systems of the human body. Only an experienced specialist can draw up a complete picture and, from it, determine which disease triggered back pain.
Osteochondrosis most often affects the cervical and lumbar regions and much less often the thoracic region. The vertebrae of the cervical spine are the most mobile, and the muscles that support them are the weakest, since they are difficult to train. The vertebrae of the lumbar spine constantly withstand increased loads - when moving heavy loads, performing hard physical work, lack of movement and prolonged monotonous position. The vertebrae of the thoracic region are less mobile, the load on them is less than on other parts of the spine, and, therefore, osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is less common.
The first sign that says that you need to see a doctor is pain in different parts of the spine. If it occurs frequently and is associated with physical activity, you should consult a doctor.
Differences in osteochondrosis of different parts of the spine
For osteochondrosis of different parts of the spine, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- With damage to the cervical spine, frequent headaches can occur, which are explained by squeezing of blood vessels, a deterioration in the blood supply to the brain tissues, and, consequently, a lack of oxygen flow to these tissues. When vertebral artery syndrome develops, pain occurs in the temporal and occipital regions, and it can be burning or throbbing. As a result of pinching of the nerve roots, pain in the neck is felt, which can be given to the forearm, shoulder, scapula. Pulling pains may be accompanied by numbness and tingling sensations, which intensify with exacerbation. Vision and hearing may deteriorate;
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The defeat of the thoracic region is characterized by dull aching pain, in contrast to cervical osteochondrosis, which is characterized by acute pain. When inhaling and exhaling, the pain intensifies, in some cases it can be encircling. The pain may worsen at night if the person is in an uncomfortable position. In the chest area, there may be a feeling of numbness and running "goose bumps" If the upper vertebrae of the thoracic region are affected, a lump in the throat, pain in the pharynx and esophagus are felt;
- With the defeat of the lumbar spine, pains of different nature arise - shooting, pulling, giving to the leg. With an exacerbation of the disease, a person cannot bend and straighten, any movements and turns bring unbearable suffering.
Why osteochondrosis develops
The causes of the disease are very diverse:
- Overweight, which especially negatively affects the spine in the event that the muscle corset is weakened;
- Genetic predisposition to the disease;
- Injuries that can cause destructive changes in the spine;
- Heavy physical activity associated with lifting weights, engaging in certain sports, for example, weightlifting;
- Physical inactivity, especially when a person is forced to be in a monotonous position for a long time;
- Constant walking in high heels, as well as flat feet. In this case, the load on individual parts of the spine is not distributed correctly.
If your lifestyle suggests at least one of the above causes of osteochondrosis, then you can go to the site Active-center.com.ua, where you can find a lot of information about the disease. This knowledge will be useful to any person, since osteochondrosis has become much younger in our time, now people aged 16-20 years suffer from this disease. That is why, every person should consult a doctor when characteristic symptoms occur, since osteochondrosis must be started to be treated in the early stages, otherwise, surgery will be required. At the Active Center you will learn what it is, why a disease develops, how to treat it and how to prevent it.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
The diagnosis consists of several stages:
- Examination and questioning of the patient, during which the doctor finds out the person's lifestyle, possible hereditary diseases, determines the zones of inflammation and pain, the external signs of the manifestation of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis;
- Confirmation of the primary diagnosis using instrumental and laboratory studies. The following methods are used - computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, fluoroscopy.
Basic treatment methods
Drug therapy, which is mandatory at the first stage of treatment, since all subsequent procedures are carried out only after the pain syndrome has been removed. Medicines can be taken orally or intramuscularly. The course of treatment lasts 5-10 days, depending on the stage of the disease. Internal use of NSAIDs should be combined with drugs to protect the gastrointestinal tract.
Physiotherapy treatment - electrophoresis with the use of drugs, UHF, heating.
A massage that should only be done by a specialist, as any awkward or too strong movement and pressure can aggravate the problem. To increase the effectiveness of the massage, you can use medicated ointments.
Physiotherapy exercises, which should only be done under the guidance of an experienced trainer. Exercises are performed in the supine position or on special simulators - Evminov's dispensary, wall bars.
Why is osteochondrosis dangerous?
It should be understood that neglect of one's health can cause various complications. The consequences of osteochondrosis are very serious and can significantly worsen a person's quality of life:
- Violation of cerebral circulation can lead to deterioration of vision, hearing, constant headaches, disruption of the vestibular apparatus, increased blood pressure;
- If osteochondrosis is not treated, then this leads to the formation of vertebral hernias, surgery and the need for disc implantation;
- Osteochondrosis can cause prolapse of the uterus, thickening of its neck, impaired reproductive function in women;
- Destruction of discs, pinching of nerve endings can lead to impaired motor activity.
How to avoid osteochondrosis
Prevention of osteochondrosis includes the following activities:
- Correct lifestyle - playing sports, active movement, proper nutrition;
- If a person spends most of his working time at a desk, then it is imperative to purchase an orthopedic chair that will support the back in the correct position. This chair is convenient because, having switched to rocking mode, a person can rest without getting up;
- You need to sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow, which ensure the correct posture, when the spine is in a straight line, there are no bends in the cervical vertebrae;
- An ideal solution would be to purchase Evminov's prophylaxis for home use. Regular exercises in stretching the spine and training the muscle corset will help to avoid compensatory disorders when the vertebrae compress the intervertebral disc;
- Experts recommend swimming and yoga to relieve muscle tension.
By following all these recommendations, you will be able to maintain the health of the spine, and, consequently, the whole body.
