Just imagine that in the 21st century, 50-80% of the world’s population will be diagnosed with osteochondrosis. The numbers are not small, and most importantly, the disease is "rejuvenating. "If earlier the first symptoms appeared at the earliest at the age of 35, now the first signs are already diagnosed in adolescents. The tendency to osteochondrosis is most commonly observed in people whose spine has an uneven load. This could be improper posture, the habit of carrying a bag on one shoulder, sitting in one position for a long time, injury, excessive sports strain and of course age-related changes.
"Most people have definitely heard of osteochondrosis, but not everyone knows what it is. "
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine that is expressed by degenerative damage to the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone tissue, leading to deletion of vertebral bodies and joint surfaces.
Unfortunately, when the first back pain appears, almost no one goes to the doctor, which leads to the fact that the disease is already detected in severe stages. It can be treated quite effectively in the early stages of the disease, as changes in the spine are not critical, but over time, the process becomes irreversible.
The main sign that you may already be developing osteochondrosis is pain in the neck, back or lower back. In a more advanced form, the pain "radiates" to the chest, arms, shoulders, legs, and other parts of the body.
Depending on the location, osteochondrosis is divided into several types:
- Cervical osteochondrosis.
- Chest osteochondrosis.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis.
Symptoms and signs of osteochondrosis
Clinical manifestations result from damage to nerve tissues and blood vessels near the affected area.
- Back pain.
- "Lumbago" feeling after exercise.
- Poor posture and consequent scoliosis.
- Violation of skin sensitivity in certain areas of the body.
- Numbness.
- Dizziness and nausea due to impaired blood supply.
- Headache.
Osteopondrosis can have a variety of symptoms and signs, so it is not always easy to detect at the first signs. Go through periodic checkups and do not delay seeing a doctor if osteochondrosis is first suspected.
Causes of osteochondrosis
There can be many reasons for the development of osteochondrosis. As a general rule, a lack of proper respect for the spine leads to this disease, if not at a young age, but certainly by the age of 50.
Think about how you sit every day, how you sleep, whether you have a comfortable pillow and always carry the weights in one hand, whether you give the right load while exercising, as all of this can have irreversible consequences for your spine. . .
Causes of osteochondrosis may include:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Nervous exhaustion of the body.
- Poor posture during active growth.
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes.
- They wear heels early.
- Physical overload of the body.
- Overweight.
- Sitting and sitting lifestyle.
- Improper carrying of weights.
- Frequent lifting.
- Vibration is a burden on the body.
- Dehydration of the body.
- Hypothermia of the body.
"Keep in mind that overweight and lack of exercise lead to back problems over time! "
Endangered:
- Drivers.
- Office worker.
- Movers.
- Pregnant women.
- Obese.
- Professional athletes.
Take care of your health and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
None of the diseases start suddenly and immediately. Osteopondrosis is no exception. There are 4 main stages in the development of osteochondrosis.
- Primary dystrophic changes in the intervertebral cartilage. Disk dehydration, microcracks, loss of elasticity - all of this is already happening in your spine while you feel virtually no change, but they are still there and you can notice them. If you experience minor back pain after prolonged sitting or exercise, do not waste your time, consult your doctor.
- Contraction of the intervertebral space and constriction of nerve endings and the appearance of pain in certain areas of the back. Pain syndrome appears with sharp turns and inclines each time. This section is difficult to miss and, of course, cannot be ignored.
- Abrasion of intervertebral cartilage tissue. The symptoms of the pain are pronounced and can lead to numbness of the limbs. It is impossible to relieve pain without medication. At this stage, serious treatment is needed with order and medication.
- The last and most serious stage. The osteochondrosis on it is already irreversible as the intervertebral cartilage is completely destroyed. In such cases, surgery is usually required.
Advanced cases of osteochondrosis can lead to partial or complete paralysis. In order to avoid a critical situation, treatment should be started in time for the first stage of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine requires a unique approach for each patient. There is no single and uniform method of treatment. The patient's age, physical condition, causes of osteochondrosis, and many other factors are considered. But, of course, all treatments have common features:
A drug used to treat osteochondrosis
Osteopondrosis cannot be cured by taking medications alone, but they play a key role in reducing the severity of the symptoms of the disease and improving the processes of blood supply and tissue regeneration. An integrated approach is needed to completely eradicate the disease and to keep the body in good condition throughout its life. Medication for osteochondrosis consists of taking several groups of drugs.
- Above all, there is a need to alleviate the pain that interferes with a normal lifestyle. NSAIDs, not steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are used for these purposes. (Ketoprofen, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac).
- After the symptoms of pain are removed, chondroprotectors and vitamins are prescribed to restore cartilage tissue. Such drugs prevent further destruction of the intervertebral discs and reduce inflammation. Such drugs include glucosamine, which, unlike analogs, does not need to be administered. It is enough to dissolve a sachet of powder in a glass of water and take it orally. This method of administration promotes better absorption of the drug and relieves discomfort during injections.
- Drugs that stimulate blood microcirculation.
- Local analgesics.
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is a fairly effective measure and, most importantly, is painless and has virtually no contraindications. Such procedures help relieve inflammation, eliminate cramps, and eliminate tightening of nerve endings. Physiotherapy includes procedures such as:
- Electrophoresis.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Phototherapy.
- Shockwave therapy.
- Mud therapy.
It is worth noting that some physiotherapy procedures should not be used during periods of exacerbation. Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis is prescribed by a physician alone and in combination with medication.
Physiotherapy and massage for osteochondrosis
Physiotherapy exercises against osteochondrosis help to create a muscle ligament that helps support the patient’s spine. The set of exercises is selected individually for each patient. In the case of stage 3, the exercises are performed only lying down, smoothly and preferably under supervision.
Treating osteochondrosis with massage is also a common practice. The point is to have the massage performed by a professional who does not damage your spine. After the session, you should feel the relaxation of the muscles, the release of the clamps and general relief. Hand massage improves blood circulation. In acute periods of the disease, it is better to refuse this method of treatment.
Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the patient feels severe pain in the head, neck, arms, and shoulder girdle. Flies, tinnitus, and spots may flicker in front of your eyes. As a general rule, at an early stage the patient goes to examine his head and has no idea that the case is completely different. It is prescribed for osteochondrosis of the cervix.
- Agnioprotectors against vertigo, which most commonly appears in the morning (Pentoxifylline).
- Chondroprotectors that prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and restore joint mobility (glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate).
- Antidepressants that sometimes need to be used by patients because constant pain has a detrimental effect on the psyche and contributes to the development of insomnia, depression (Doxylamin).
- Vitamins that improve the general condition of the body.
- Anti-solvents for headaches that interfere with patients ’entire lives.
- NSAIDs are prescribed during the acute period to relieve pain.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, there is sharp pain in the front of the chest, breathing is frequent and can become difficult. Sharp pain may occur when turning and bending the shoulder blades. Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is difficult because the pain is not felt directly in the spine and the symptoms are more similar to heart, lung, or kidney disease. Fortunately, this type of osteochondrosis is very rare and is caused in most cases by scoliosis.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis is currently the most common type. This is due to the fact that this part of the spine is exposed to the most stress. First, dull pain appears in the lumbar region, then the pain begins to radiate toward the foot and can lead to numbness in the lower extremities. There are bending and elongation problems. In such cases, the most important thing is to start treating lumbar osteochondrosis in time and apply complex measures. There are several rules to follow:
- Limits physical activity.
- Take all prescribed medications.
- Prescribed physiotherapy.
- Attend a special massage course.
- If necessary, get rid of excess weight.
Improper treatment and failure to follow recommendations may require surgery for the last lumbar osteochondrosis.
Which doctor treats osteochondrosis?
If you feel pain in your spine and suspect you have osteochondrosis, first make an appointment with a therapist who will refer you to a neurologist, vertebrologist, orthopedist and surgeon for an examination based on your complaints.
How long is osteochondrosis treated?
Many patients care about how long it takes to treat osteochondrosis? No one will give an accurate answer, but the main signs of the disease will go away, usually further maintenance is needed within 1-3 months.
Is it possible to get rid of osteochondrosis forever?
It all depends on the stage at which it was discovered. If the patient turns in stages 1-2, he or she can get rid of osteochondrosis forever with proper treatment and adherence to all rules. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get rid of the disease completely at later stages.
Orthopedic pillow
You may need an orthopedic pillow if you have been diagnosed with cervical osteochondrosis. This pillow improves the quality of sleep and does not further deform your spine. You can turn to a specialty store where consultants will show you all the options for pillows and give advice on prices.