Osteochondrosis is a medical term that describes a violation of the integrity of the cartilaginous surfaces of the bones. Most often, the disease is associated with damage to the intervertebral discs.
The intervertebral discs are a kind of shock absorbers that soften the pressure on the spine under load. Osteochondrosis worsens the quality of life, causing pain in the back, neck, head, tinnitus.
There are two views on the diagnosis. Experts abroad attribute the disorder to childhood and adolescent illnesses. It is believed to be more common in children, as their bones are in a developmental stage. Russian doctors diagnose osteochondrosis mainly in patients aged 25 to 55 years. The signs, causes and types of disease in the two cases are the same.
How to define osteochondrosis?
- Is there persistent or recurring back pain or muscle tension?
- Do you get goose bumps on your lower back or neck?
- Do you feel "shot" in the back?
- Do you feel pain when raising your arms or moving your head sideways?
- Do you have periodic dizziness?
- Do you experience bouts of noise, nausea?
If at least one answer is yes, it is worth contacting a specialist to conduct a study. If the diagnosis reveals a violation, the doctor will prescribe treatment and help protect you from more serious and painful symptoms.
What Causes Osteochondrosis?
The massive incidence of osteochondrosis is associated with the fact that people are in an upright position most of the time. In this case, the spinal column and the discs are under increased stress. If they sit, lean back and stand incorrectly, the discs lose their cushioning capacity.
Over time, the lining of the disc cracks and hernial bulges appear. They begin to squeeze the blood vessels, the roots of the spinal cord, or the brain itself. As a result, pains appear, reflex tensions in the muscles.
The risk group includes middle-aged and elderly people. Office workers, professional drivers, and tall people are most often faced with this disease. Risk factors for the appearance of severe symptoms of a disorder can be:
- flatfoot;
- inheritance;
- over weight;
- hypodynamic.
The reasons for the appearance of disorders in the articular cartilage:
Handling heavy loads.
Incorrect posture when sitting, standing or lying down.
Injuries, overexertion.
Excessive stress when playing sports.
High air humidity and low temperature.
Activities associated with frequent changes in body position.
Types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis can develop in any part of the spine. By location, the disease is divided into: cervical, thoracic and lumbar. The latter type occurs in 50% of cases.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
A similar diagnosis is made for both men and women. The reason for this is the increased load that appears when walking, running, exercising and sitting for a long time. The lumbar spine consists of 5 vertebrae, between which there are discs that give it elasticity. If the metabolic process does not occur, the intervertebral discs lose their properties and pain occurs.
Symptoms:
- Dull or sharp back pain that worsens with movement.
- Pain in the legs, pelvic organs, sacral region.
- Impaired mobility or sensitivity.
- Atrophy of the muscles of the legs in the acute course of the disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis should be treated. In the absence of therapy, dangerous complications can occur: sciatica, hernia, bulge. As a result, the natural blood supply to the spinal cord is disrupted, leading to paralysis of the lower extremities.
Cervical osteochondrosis
"Make sure you turn your head, " urge the doctors. This way you can avoid the dangerous diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The neck is the most mobile part of the spine. The department consists of 7 vertebrae. The disease appears as a result of metabolic disturbances in the body, in the presence of salts in the neck or due to the frequent uncomfortable position of the head.
Symptoms:
- Headaches;
- Pain in the region of the heart;
- Flashing "flies" before the eyes;
- Hearing impairment;
- Cracking in the cervical spine;
- Pain in the arm or shoulder joint;
- Numbness of the extremities.
Experts point out that this type of disease is one of the most dangerous, since it can cause poor circulation in the brain, migraine, dystonia and more serious diseases.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Alterations in the thoracic spine occur less frequently, since the vertebrae are inactive. The pains that appear in this area of the body are experienced by many people who do hard physical work or have a sedentary profession. The cause of osteochondrosis can be a disturbed metabolic process, an increased load on the intervertebral discs.
Symptoms:
- Pain or tightness in the chest area.
- Pain between the shoulder blades when raising the arms.
- Skin sensitivity disorders.
In an acute disorder, two symptoms may appear: back pain and back pain. Dorsago is accompanied by sharp pain in the chest, shortness of breath. With back pain, the pain in the region of the vertebrae of the department is not too strong, but gradually increases. The disease is often confused with other thoracic pathologies: heart attack, pneumonia, angina pectoris, etc. The diagnosis is made only by a specialist, based on examination and research.
Stages of osteochondrosis.
- In the first stage, there are no obvious symptoms. Periodically, there is discomfort in the spine, which is associated with fatigue or excessive physical exertion. The disease can be found during a routine exam, X-ray, or CT scan.
- The second stage is accompanied by pain syndrome, as the process of destruction of cartilage tissue begins and the gap between the discs decreases. Pain in this stage is relieved with medications prescribed by a doctor.
- In the third stage, deformities of the spine begin: the fibrous ring ruptures, an intervertebral hernia appears. With the help of a properly prescribed treatment, it is still possible to improve the condition of the spine.
- The fourth stage is irreversible changes in the spine, in which it is difficult for a person to move. Bone tissue grows between the vertebrae and connects them. Most often, this form of osteochondrosis leads to disability.
Diagnostic methods
To determine the extent of the disease, to check sensitivity and reflexes, the doctor performs a physical examination. In addition, blood and urine tests are taken, indicators of calcium metabolism are studied.
To make an accurate diagnosis, diagnostic methods are used:
- Vascular ultrasound. Determination of the degree of alteration of blood flow in the vertebral arteries.
- Spinal X-ray.
- UKT. Construction of a three-dimensional image of the study area to detect small displacements of the vertebrae.
- UMRI. Study of the state of the soft tissues to assess the state of the spinal cord and visualize the internal structure of the discs.
Treatment
Osteochondrosis is treated comprehensively. The main goal of therapy is to suppress painful sensations, eliminate muscle tension and stiffness of movements that appear due to pain. It is important not to self-medicate, but to consult a specialist and follow the recommendations.
To treat the spine, the doctor prescribes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help relieve inflammation and swelling. Muscle relaxants are responsible for reducing muscle spasms. Ointments are used to relieve pain. Antioxidants and vitamins may be prescribed to protect nerve tissue.
Prophylaxis
It is possible to preserve the health of the spine and prevent the appearance of symptoms or complications of osteochondrosis by adhering to the prevention methods:
- drink enough water, control body weight;
- eat foods rich in collagen;
- selection of an orthopedic mattress that supports the body;
- regular exercise.
Alternative methods can be tried: acupuncture, qigong or massage. Before starting any procedure, you should consult a doctor to ensure the health of the musculoskeletal system.