Humans are the only mammals that walk with a vertically straight back.In this connection, the spinal column experiences a great overload.On the one hand, a sedentary lifestyle prevails, on the other, physical activity associated with lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, and even riding in public transport;All these factors contribute to the occurrence of such a common disease as osteochondrosis.Moreover, this disease is most often detected in the working part of the population.
What is osteochondrosis, its types and stages
Osteochondrosis is a process in which the elasticity of the intervertebral discs is impaired.Under the influence of unfavorable factors, the disc loses fluid, becomes more compact and less flexible.This happens due to the load on the spine during movement: the pressure on the axis of the disc squeezes the fluid out of it.During a night's rest, the spine should be completely restored, but with a sedentary lifestyle, this does not happen, because the muscles and ligaments gradually lose the ability to stretch and, therefore, fully recover.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
This type of osteochondrosis is considered the most insidious.The vertebrae that make up the neck are very close together.Even a small deformation of one of them leads to serious consequences: headaches, pressure spikes, heart pain.If the disease is advanced, numbness of the limbs, tinnitus, difficulty breathing and vision problems may appear.Some symptoms can easily be confused with a simple headache or fatigue, but if the symptoms recur regularly, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure that the correct diagnosis is made in time.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptom of this type is chest pain.It most often appears on one side and is defined as pain or stinging.The connection with movement is characteristic, and with static loads, the pain intensifies.There are two types of chest pain: one is an acute but short-lasting attack, the other is mild but long-lasting.If you consult a doctor in time, it is possible to cure the disease without resorting to surgical methods.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
This is the most common type of osteochondrosis.It affects men and women equally.In the area where the lumbar part passes into the sacral region, acute pain occurs.The main problem is the reduction of cartilaginous tissue, which leads to a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae, which is a direct path to the occurrence of an intervertebral hernia.Pain can occur for various reasons: compression of nerve endings, narrowing of veins, pinching of the sciatic nerve.The exact cause will be determined by the doctor.
Damage to two or more parts of the spine
Osteochondrosis affecting the entire spine or several parts worsens the general condition of a person.The probability of the appearance of a hernia increases many times.Constant pain makes it impossible to lead a normal life.Before the process of changes in the cartilage tissue becomes irreversible, it is necessary to start the treatment of the disease as soon as possible.
The disease has four stages in its development:
- the initial phase is manifested by minor and short-term pain due to the unstable functioning of the spine;
- in the second phase, the vertebrae move, which shortens the distance between them;
- in the third stage, serious deformations of the intervertebral discs are already possible, up to the formation of a hernia;
- in the last stage, a person feels stiffness in movements, which may be accompanied by acute pain.
Symptoms and signs
The beginning of the disease is difficult to follow, because there are no pronounced symptoms.Sometimes your back goes numb after sitting or lying in one position for a long time, and your legs feel pins and needles.All these unpleasant sensations pass quickly, you just need to move or rub the stiff leg.Acute pain comes, as always, unexpectedly: a person stumbles, suddenly turns around - and a pain syndrome arises, in which it is scary to even think about the next step.Pressure on the disturbing area causes pain, movement is limited, and muscles are tense.A protective spasm occurs;In this way, the body protects the painful area from further movements.This condition usually lasts for about 24 hours until the muscles relax.
So, signs of osteochondrosis include discomfort in different parts of the body, accompanied by pain.Painful sensations can be concentrated in the neck, shoulders, back, chest.Symptoms described may include headache, dizziness, fatigue, heart pain and loss of sensation in the limbs.Based on the localization of the pain syndrome, the doctor will be able to determine where the changes started on the spine.
Reasons for development
The causes of the disease include factors that interfere with the proper nutrition of the disc and prevent its recovery:
- prolonged stay of the body in positions that have a bad effect on the functioning of the spine (primarily sitting);
- injuries;This is especially true for people who do sports that involve heavy loads on the spine (for example, weightlifting);
- work associated with long-term static loads (for example, assembly line worker, hairdresser, etc.);With such work, muscle congestion and poor circulation are observed.
Since the main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine, other factors that seem unimportant at first glance can affect people's health.Carrying a bag in only one hand, the habit of sitting with a hunched back, sleeping on a soft feather, the curvature of the neck during sleep (high pillow), uncomfortable (although fashionable) shoes - all this also serves as a prerequisite for back diseases.An unhealthy lifestyle, obesity and teenage scoliosis can further worsen the condition.
Risk factors include:
- tall people because their back muscles are poorly developed;
- everyone who leads a sedentary lifestyle;
- those who are forced by their profession to lift weights;
- truck drivers experience prolonged vibrations;
- former athletes;
- those who already had similar cases of the disease in their family;
- pregnant and menopausal women;
- elderly people;
- smokers.
How to diagnose a disease
If the patient discovers the above symptoms, he should see a local doctor, who will refer the patient to a neurologist.In order to clarify the diagnosis, the neurologist can refer the patient to a more specialized specialist - a vertebroneurologist (a doctor who deals exclusively with diseases of the spine).A good chiropractor can also detect disease by palpating the back.If the patient suspects a hernia, then a traumatologist is necessary.
Instrumental methods are also used to establish the diagnosis:
- X-ray of the spine;
- myelography (this is an image of not only bones, but also nerve endings and other structures);
- reflex examination (the infamous neurologist's hammer);
- computed tomography;
- nuclear magnetic resonance (the most accurate and safest diagnostic method);
- magnetic resonance imaging (a necessary method for the pathology of the intervertebral disc).
The doctor also prescribes the usual tests for the patient.
In the general blood test, attention should be paid to the number of leukocytes and ESR.An increase in the value will indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.A low level of hemoglobin will indicate a lack of protein food, which can directly affect the development of degenerative processes.
A general urine test will show what percentage of mineral salts exist in the body.An increased rate indicates a violation of the correct balance of nutrients in food.
An elevated blood glucose level also indicates that the patient is not eating properly.In addition, this can be the first symptom of diabetes, which leads to complications for all organs of the human body.
It is also very important to analyze the level of cholesterol in the blood, which shows the condition of the blood vessels.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
In the initial stage of the disease, drug treatment is used in a minimal amount.Medicines are needed to alleviate the patient's condition, reduce inflammation and improve metabolism.If these procedures are not sufficient, the doctor prescribes blockade, or injections, which are quite effective medicine.Elderly people are prescribed medicines that do not accumulate in the body.
Physiotherapy complements drug treatment well.Physiotherapy methods include: ultrasound, use of magnetic field, low frequency current, laser therapy and so on.The principle of action is aimed at dilating blood vessels and increasing blood circulation.In this way, an analgesic effect is achieved and the impaired immune response is normalized.
Physical therapy also has a beneficial effect on the spine.A properly selected set of exercises can get even the most neglected patients back on their feet.Under the influence of physical activity, not only impaired functions are restored, but also the patient's general psychological state improves.The mere prescription of such therapy gives the patient confidence that he will be able to return to a full-fledged lifestyle.A simulator such as a special treatment board has proven to be excellent.This is an inexpensive and effective way to restore spinal function.
The effect of massage is based on complex metabolic processes.Thanks to it, the circulation of blood and lymph in the affected area improves, which improves metabolism, relaxation of muscle tone, mobility of joints and improvement of skin condition.Massage relieves pain, fatigue and improves the physical condition of the body.
Manual therapy should only be performed by a professional, as an illiterate specialist can harm the patient.Such therapy is a set of measures that can radically improve a person's condition.A good specialist can free the patient from functional blockages and restore the ability to fully use the affected organ.The impact is performed by pressing, twisting, pushing, jerking and so on.
Spinal traction gives good results.It can be underwater or on land.It is used to increase the space between disks.Underwater, as the name suggests, takes place under water, and dry - on tables with special equipment.The extension can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the position of the body.
Complications of ignoring the disease
It is believed that everyone has chondrosis.But that's no reason to ignore the problem.This is not a completely harmless diagnosis.In particularly advanced cases, the disease can lead to disability.
If treatment is neglected, the following complications may occur later:
- hernia;
- protrusion (initial change of the intervertebral disc);
- kyphosis (back hump);
- radiculitis;
- salt deposits;
- spinal cord stroke;
- circulatory disorders;
- paralysis of the legs
Untreated cervical osteochondrosis can cause headaches, dizziness and insomnia.Chest turns into intercostal neuralgia.Lumbar causes consequences such as inflammation of the sciatic nerve, malfunction of the genitourinary system.The main condition for the treatment of osteochondrosis is compliance with the stages, and only constant targeted efforts will give a good result.
Disease prevention
Prevention plays an important role in maintaining a healthy spine.The first step is to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace.This applies to dynamic and static loads.If there is such a possibility, move to another workplace at the first feeling of back pain.Otherwise, you must take the necessary measures: constantly change your body position, optimize your workplace, do gymnastics or at least some exercises.Yoga classes can play a special role.This ancient Indian system of poses, called asanas, can help remove all tightness in the body, relax and stretch the spine.
Correct work with weights is of great importance in prevention.
There are a few rules that anyone protecting their back must follow:
- Do not lift weights with outstretched arms;it would be correct to sit down and, pressing the weight on the chest, stand up with a straight back;
- You cannot carry a load in one hand;it would be correct to distribute its weight in two, approximately equal parts;
- even if the luggage is small, you have to stop occasionally and rest your hands;
- the spine must be prepared for the load;A regular set of exercises to strengthen the back, or muscle corset, can help with this.
If it is not possible to do exercises regularly, you can replace it with more familiar walking.It is recommended to take at least 8,000 steps every day, but you must ensure good posture and combine steps with proper breathing;While walking, you can try different walking options: on your toes, on your heels, raising your legs high, jogging.If you don't have time for this, then even a short but vigorous walk to work and back will benefit the body.
Swimming combines the ability to relax the vertebrae and the feeling of physical activity.Archimedes' law applies in water, which reduces the weight of the human body, so the muscles relax and the spine stretches.In addition, swimming allows you to keep your body in good shape.
Running can also serve as disease prevention.It must be remembered that both the lack of physical activity and its excess are harmful to the spine.You need to carefully monitor the state of your body and avoid pain.
If signs of inflammation appear, a medical applicator can help.When the needles come into contact with the patient's skin, nerve endings are irritated, blood vessels dilate, circulation improves and the pain syndrome weakens.Longer exposure, up to 40 minutes, leads to muscle relaxation.
Proper nutrition is one of the most effective ways of prevention.
It should have several goals:
- fight against excess weight;
- required amount of vitamins and minerals;
- prevention of body dehydration;
- slowing down destructive processes.
For the diet to achieve its goals, the food must be low in calories and contain dairy products, fish, eggs, herbs and vegetable oil.Doctors advise to eat broth-based dishes: soups, borscht, jelly, aspic.Indeed, such food contains protectors that protect cartilage tissue.But the elderly should approach such a diet with caution, because the fat contained in concentrated soups can clog blood vessels in the brain.
The health of the spine is in the hands of every person.If at the first pain you start doing gymnastics, join the pool and reconsider your diet, you can not only slow down the process of destruction of the vertebrae, but also improve the health of the body in general.If you do not have the time or desire for an active lifestyle, you must follow the basic safety rules described above in this article.