Osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease located in the vertebral tissue. The disease causes pathological processes in the intervertebral discs, adjacent surfaces of the joints, and the ligamentous apparatus of the spine.
The disease seriously affects human health. Damage to bones and ligaments. The onset of the disease is signaled by painful symptoms, muscle wasting, and impaired internal organ function. The most common age at which a person develops osteochondrosis is over the age of 30.
Why does osteochondrosis occur?
In medicine, there is a lot of information about the causes of diseases. These include exposure to mechanical damage, genetic factors, impaired metabolism. It can be difficult to find out what causes the disease to develop because osteochondrosis can occur in both adults and adolescents.
A common factor in disease development is the deposition of vertebral salts. With the help of X-rays, growths on the vertebrae can be diagnosed, while the joints creak and squeak while walking.
In the presence of an existing infectious disease, you can also develop osteochondrosis, a persistent overload of the spine, exposure to chemicals and impaired posture. At risk are those who lead unhealthy lifestyles, abuse smoking and drinking, are overweight, and are in persistently stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis depend on the type of disease present. What are the types of osteochondrosis and how they manifest, we will analyze in more detail.
cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:
- Headache;
- impaired coordination;
- Violation of the auditory, sound and visual systems;
- The occurrence of snoring.
The most common symptom is headache, which can negatively affect a person's habitual lifestyle. In most cases, the neck, throat and teeth are injured. The pain spreads to the shoulders and arms and increases with movement.
Medicine divides all symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis into several groups:
root symptoms. In other words, cervical spondylosis. Pain originates in the neck, descends along the shoulder blade, and travels back up the body to the fingers.
Reflex symptoms. A common symptom is pain, which is characterized by sharp and burning features. Where to locate - neck or occipital area. Often, the pain radiates to the heart and thoracic spine, and people confuse osteochondrosis with heart disease.
Symptoms of the vertebral artery. The most common symptom is headache. Hearing and visual systems may be damaged.
Cardiac symptoms. My heart seems to be hurting, but it's not. It's just the irradiation of heart pain, not heart disease. In this case, the symptoms are similar to angina. In some cases, doctors incorrectly diagnose and treat conditions that do not exist.
Cervical osteochondrosis is not recommended for self-treatment.
A doctor will make a diagnosis before prescribing the necessary treatment. The main method of diagnosis is X-ray. Treatment should be comprehensive, including elimination of the source and symptoms.
Early stages of the disease include manual therapy and exercise therapy. Running osteochondrosis requires more thorough treatment and sometimes surgical intervention. Once primary treatment is over, doctors will prescribe gymnastics.
thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic spine disease is characterized by pain in the heart, sternum, back, side of the trunk, and upper abdomen. In other words, pain all over the body.
Painful sensations in the heart raise suspicion of pathological processes such as angina. The difference is that, in the case of thoracic vertebral osteochondrosis, the pain in the heart area was not stopped by nitroglycerin, nor did the ECG show pathological changes in the heart. The pain did not go away after taking the heart medication.
Thoracic intercostal osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms that depend on the location of the pathological process:
Radiculopathy develops together with a herniated disc. In the case of thoracic intercostal osteochondrosis covering the upper segment, pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, back, and heart can occur.
When squeezing the spinal cord. In other words, compressive myelopathy. A fairly rare phenomenon that presents with lower extremity pain, numbness, and weakness.
The clinical symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis only are as follows:
Neurological symptoms - persistent pain that increases with deep coughing and inhalation.
- costal spondylosis;
- Vertebral symptoms.
Visceral syndrome - heart pain, aggravated by physical exertion, turning the body.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be comprehensive. A special place is manual therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy.
lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar intercostal osteochondrosis is characterized by pain in the lower back and back area of the body. Irradiation can be observed in the thighs, buttocks, calves, and rarely in the heart.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is characterized by disturbances in urination, defecation, sweating, tingling in the lower extremities, and dry and peeling skin.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is performed by a neurologist. Before starting treatment, your doctor will perform the necessary diagnostic steps, including a personal examination and probing your vertebrae. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are also required. Based on the results of these studies, treatment is prescribed.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis should include measures to eliminate pain and restore normal function of the affected area.
Comprehensive treatment includes:
- medical method. With the help of medication, you can relieve pain, inflammation, and swelling.
- Physiotherapy. With the help of this treatment, you can also reduce pain and discomfort and significantly promote full recovery.
- Exercise therapy. Prevention and treatment with the help of a therapeutic and exercise complex can help significantly improve health and achieve full recovery. Exercise therapy is prohibited during exacerbations! Along with physical education, stick to a healthy lifestyle, eat right, and prevent stress.
Diagnostic measures
Typically, the diagnosis of osteochondrosis involves several stages:
- The first stage. The doctor listens to the patient's complaints and takes a medical history: areas of concern, times of discomfort, causes of pain, reasons for pain relief.
- Phase 2. The doctor examines the skin to identify or note the absence of redness, peeling, and rash. The doctor palpates the affected area to determine the temperature status of the skin, identifying swelling, painful compaction.
- Phase 3. X-rays are required to determine vertebral pathology, displacement, salt deposition, and osteophyte formation.
- Stage 4. CT helps to identify nerve root compression, rupture, various changes, and marginal growth.
MRI helps examine the state of blood vessels, neural processes, and discs.
treatment at home
Where pain sensation is observed (ie, a period of exacerbation), various positive behaviors are strictly prohibited. Kneading or massaging the affected area is not recommended as the pain will only intensify. Rest must be provided for the body: take the most comfortable position that minimizes pain. It also requires muscle relaxation. Doctors sometimes recommend a corset for more comfortable movement.
In thoracolumbar osteochondrosis, a warm-up of the affected area is recommended. The most effective way to warm up is to use a belt made of dog hair or wool. Thanks to the belt, the pain is eliminated and the inflammatory process is weakened. Belts can be found in almost every drugstore. In some cases, baths can be visited, so it is best to warm up the affected area. Bathing is allowed only during the period when the disease has been exacerbated and eliminated.
Grandma's recipes also work well. You can apply various tinctures by rubbing the affected area. Various ointments that can be made at home or purchased at the pharmacy are equally effective. But such creams should be used with caution, as they can cause skin burns. This is why it is important to read the instructions before use.
osteochondrosis gymnastics
Exercise therapy helps treat osteochondrosis and is an excellent preventative method. Physical education should be specifically designed and individually selected for each disorder.
Treatment and physical activity should only be performed during remission, not during exacerbations. At the same time, sports help strengthen the ligamentous organs and back muscles corset. Thanks to physical education, you can bypass major medications.
Precaution
In order not to aggravate your health and prevent the development of osteochondrosis anywhere in the spine, there is a special precaution. Its main rules are:
Drink water before physical activity or exercise. This is necessary to maintain moisture exchange in the disc and prevent it from dehydration.
A good preventative method is a back massage, which can be performed by the person at home. Massage helps increase blood flow throughout the body and speeds up the metabolic process.
Under no circumstances should you lift and hold heavy objects and objects arm's length away. This increases the load. To lift an object, you can squat down, keeping your spine straight.
Sudden movements, turns and leanings are not recommended.
Even distribution of load is required.
Prevention of osteochondrosis involves a proper lifestyle and good nutrition. No need to run any disease. Going to the hospital for treatment in time can help to avoid adverse consequences.