Translated from Greek, the word "condrosis" can be translated as "cartilage."However, as a rule, the word "osteochondrosis" does not mean any damage to cartilage tissue (which would be logical), but only diseases of the spine of the cartilage.
In patients with osteochondrosis, the structure (and, therefore, the function) of intervertebral discs, special cartilaginous structures, ensuring the mobility and flexibility of the human column.
As the disease progresses, irreversible changes in vertebrae also arise and develop.
The causes of osteochondrosis
All the reasons why a person has a disease such as osteochondrosis, specialists are divided into endogenous (or internal) and exogenous (or, consequently, external).
The endogenous (internal) causes are considered spine disorders that arose in a person in the uterus, as well as changes related to age in the cartilage and the hereditary predisposition to osteocondrosis.
The main experts of exogenous cause (external) consider the inadequate distribution of the load that reaches the spine.It is a distribution that causes changes in cartilage in those places where it is the greatest excess pressure.
In addition, the causes of the development of osteochondrosis are the trauma of the spine and a variety of infections, crouching and inadequate posture, weakness of the back muscles and the lateral curvature (in the form of s) of the spine.In addition, the negative consequences for the column can have weights of weights or prolonged stay in an uncomfortable or unnatural position.
Contrary to popular belief, not only mental work people and those who do not follow their position can suffer (and suffer) from osteochondrosis.This disease torments even those who are well prepared physically.For example, engines, drivers and professional athletes.
In addition to the causes of purely mechanical property, problems with metabolism (mostly, calcium and phosphorus), as well as a deficiency of trace elements and vitamins (in particular magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin d) they can lead to the appearance and development of osteochondrosis.Many doctors are sure that a predisposition to osteochondrosis, inherited, also plays an important role in the appearance of the disease.
What happens to osteochondrosis?
When a person throws heavy, jumps or falls, he often sits in an awkward position, and so on, intervertebral discs receive microtrauma.If such injuries occur more or less often, over time, discs lose their elasticity and flatten, and at the same time decrease the distance between the vertebrae.As a result, there is a squeeze of the nerve roots that extend from the spinal cord.This is what causes back pain.At the same time, in the same place where the nervous-vascular package is pushed, the edema is formed, as a result, the load in the same package increases and the pain intensifies.
When the destruction of the intervertebral disc has already begun, it stops playing the role of the shock absorber, receiving more and more injuries.Over time, a person's column loses his natural flexibility.
How does osteochondrosis manifest?
The main manifestation of osteochondrosis is back pain.Of which the intervertebral discs are damaged, the patient feels a different pain.You can hurt not only your back, but also your neck, or maybe a hand or heart.Sometimes, osteochondrosis gives even in the chest.A person can easily decide that something was happening with his heart, but in fact it was one of the nerves.In addition to pain, a person often feels insensitive and excess ravage.The headache, the nausea, the vomiting, the ears in the ears, the dizziness and the double in the eyes, as well as the cases of fainting, can indicate that the blood vessels are squeezed that they bring blood to the brain.
Osteochondrosis diagnosis
If one of the symptoms described above is manifested in you, this is an occasion to find a consultation with a traumatologist or neurologist.One of these experts will examine the spine and study brain circulation.If the doctor considers it necessary, you can send it to an x -ray, or to prescribe a magnetic resonance computer (magnetic resonance) of the spine that bothers it.
Osteochondrosis treatment
Prepare to assign a lot of time for treatment with osteochondrosis.In addition, you will need your willpower.There is a fairly large amount of ways to combat osteochondrosis.These are medication methods, traction, and massage, and therapeutic gymnastics, and needle therapy.In addition, manual therapists have their own methods;In some cases, it is they who show high efficiency.Rich medicine is also rich in ideas, offering to treat osteochondrosis with bee poison, can massage and many other miraculous methods.If osteochondrosis has a complication in the form of intervertebral discs, unfortunately, it cannot do without the surgical intervention: it needs an operation.
Osteochondrosis prevention
This is what profile doctors generally recommend to prevent radicalis and osteochondrosis:
- Over time, adjust the curvature that arises from the column, as well as posture disorders.It is worth paying attention to this article to the parents of schoolchildren.
- Play sports and physical education regularly.Thanks to sports loads, the muscular corset is formed.Muscles: They will do it much more effectively about their posture than a variety of standing next to the wood and seats with a straight back.In addition, your own muscles will protect the column even when you forget it.
- Try to eat well, adhere to a diet.Follow the presence in your diet of products with a high content of vitamins, calcium and magnesium (they are present abundantly in fish and other shellfish, spinach, cabbage, nuts and seeds, beans and peas, fresh milk and bread made of a hint).
- Do not allow the appearance of excess weight.Extra pounds are an unnecessary load in its spine.
- Taking severity, distribute the loads in both hands as uniformly as possible.If possible, use backpacks, do not bags.If you need to raise something very difficult on your feet, and not in the spine, look how the balances do.