Osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can appear earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed at the age of 20 to 30 years.There are also early cases of the disease.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of vertebrae with intervertebral discs) makes the spine flexible and able to assume different positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).At the center of the disc is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Cartilaginous endplates are located above and below the disc.

With the development of the disease, metabolic processes are interrupted.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.With the further development of the pathology, the fibrous ring cannot withstand the total load and is deformed.It can then rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, the mobility of the spine is reduced and disc displacement can occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

For proper functioning, the spine needs constant moderate load.Severe overload or improper distribution of pressure can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.

Internal causes of the disease:

• genetic predisposition;
• disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
• overweight, overweight;
• age-related changes;
• poor posture, curvature of the spine;
• flat feet.

External factors include:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• sudden movements with large amplitude;
• incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
• high load on the spine when playing sports or a certain type of activity;
• injuries of any part of the spine;
• improperly organized place to sleep, including sleeping on a soft mattress and high pillow;
• walking in high-heeled shoes;
• smoking;
• the effects of vibration on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment;
• hypothermia.

Active sports do not always promote spine health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People of certain professions are at risk - loaders and builders.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:

1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is serious stress on the sacrum and lower back.
2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It develops due to improper load on the cervical spine.Blood circulation in the brain and functioning of the thyroid gland are interrupted.
3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Not as common as the first two.In the chest region, the discs are not as active and the muscle corset is stronger.Difficult to diagnose as symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
4. Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology does not affect one part of the spine, but several at the same time.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, different symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient notices the following signs of the disease:

• pain of various types in the lower back;
• piercing pain radiating to legs and buttocks;
• movement disorders.Changing the position of the body, bending or turning causes severe pain in the lumbar region.Therefore, a person tries to maintain the same attitude;
• loss of sensation in the legs.This happens due to pinched roots and nerve endings.

The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:

• pain in the neck, especially in the evening;
• crackling when moving the neck;
• headache, especially in the back of the head;
• pain, numbness in shoulders and chest;
• visual impairment;
• noise, ringing in the ears, feeling of suffocation;
• dizziness with sudden changes in the position of the neck.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• thoracic neuralgia, a feeling of pain in the heart;
• severe pain in the upper chest region;
• difficulty in breathing;
• reflex tension of the back and chest;
• a feeling of coldness in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulders and ending with the fingers;
• increasing pain at night;
• increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the initial stage, there is a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs.They shrink and swell.The patient does not feel much discomfort, except for a slight stiffness of the spine after sleep.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.Disc destruction continues, the annulus fibrosus deforms and cracks.There is stiffness in movement and acute pain when changing the usual position.

With the development of the third stage, the fibrous ring ruptures.The gelatinous contents come out.An intervertebral hernia is formed.If treatment is not started at this stage, root abrasion and disability occur.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various types of complications - radiculitis, elongation.The most dangerous is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can press the nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.

Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and increased blood pressure.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of developing heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences for the whole body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, the development of intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lumbara can lead to diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.

A herniated disc leads to compression of blood vessels.As a result, the general blood circulation is interrupted.The most dangerous moment is the compression of the vertebral artery.

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis

Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:

1. MRI.Magnetic resonance imaging
2. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
4. Laboratory research

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

It is better to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis. 

Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of the intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the age of the patient, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are performed 2-3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:

• UHF resonance wave therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effects on the body's aqueous environment with low-intensity, high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
• Injections of chondroprotectors.Intra-articular injections are an effective method for treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a drug (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
• Rehabilitation in special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of a simulator will restore the mobility of the limbs in a short period of time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
• Blockage of joints and spine.Joint block is a type of drug treatment of the spine and joints aimed at relieving acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Drug treatment.Drug treatment of joints and spine is used in a wide range and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blockades and drips.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to achieve the following

• allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
• improves nutrition of intervertebral discs;
• stops the destruction of discs, restores their structure;
• releases compressed nerve roots;
• relaxes tense muscles;
• restores flexibility to the spine;
• prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• corrects and strengthens muscular corset;
• directs the attitude;
• normalizes metabolism.

After completing the course of therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises to be performed at home independently.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.

Preventing

To maintain a healthy back, follow these rules:

• do swimming, yoga, race walking, gym;
• When sitting at a computer or desk, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
• choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
• every 2 hours or more often, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
• when lifting weights, keep your back straight, sit down and do not make sudden jerks;
• do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
• when practicing on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to practice on it correctly;
• choose shoes with shock-absorbing heels for sports;
• sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
• do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

For osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, observe the following principles:

• include dairy products and lean meat in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken;
• limit the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat juices;
• eat jelly, jelly meat, jelly fish.With them you get chondroprotectors - substances that are involved in the synthesis of cartilage tissue;
• drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
• eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
• give preference to cooked or steamed dishes;
• eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados and raw spinach more often;
• season the salad with olive oil;
• prepare dishes from lobsters, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, grains;
• try to eat less salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and hot spices.