Osteochondrosis is considered a common disease of the spine. Mostly, due to the specifics of the lifestyle, the lower back suffers, therefore, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are more common than others. The pathology is equally dangerous for both men and women, regardless of age. Patients with the disease wear a corset, suffer during pregnancy. Diet and exercise become essential.
The disease is highlighted in a separate section of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) and refers to deforming dorsopathy (ICD-10 M42-43). Osteochondrosis of the spine has a code - M42 according to ICD-10. There are such options for ICD-10:
- Juvenile osteochondrosis - M42. 0 according to ICD-10.
- Osteochondrosis in adults - M42. 1 according to ICD-10.
- Unspecified forms - M42. 9 according to ICD-10.
If earlier the disease spread to people over 30 years of age, then recently there is a tendency to affect the pathology of the younger generation. Associated with stress and prolonged exposure to the computer, a passive lifestyle.
The lower back always experiences great loads both in the motor nature and from the load of body weight. Women suffer a lot during pregnancy, people whose life history includes multiple injuries of the lumbar spine and neglect such a factor as physical exertion. Also, studying the causes of intervertebral hernia, a violation of the sciatic nerve, the main factor can be singled out - long-term osteochondrosis.
Causes and stages of pathology
All causes leading to pathology can be divided into external and internal. The first are related to various influences of external factors. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle, who have excess body weight, are prone to osteochondrosis. In addition, there are such predisposing factors:
- occupations associated with a long stay in a sitting position;
- hypothermia;
- weakening of the body's defenses associated with stress, overwork.
Internal causes are based on genetic predisposition and various diseases. In endocrine diseases, the restoration of bone and muscle tissue and their nutrition is disturbed. This condition can be seen with age and with a genetic predisposition, especially if the medical history shows spinal damage at a young age.
Pathological disorders of the spine structure accelerate the onset of osteochondrosis, if not treated, the disease progresses rapidly. The most important conditions are kyphosis, scoliosis. Also, the medical history shows that the most common cause of the disease is damage to the spine.
The disease has 4 stages of progression. At the first stage, there are no serious disturbances in nutrition and the structure of the spinal discs. The symptoms are mild. They can be easily removed with painkillers. It is possible to cure the disease during this period as quickly as possible, the main thing is not to heat up, not to strain the back. Diet and rehabilitation help a lot.
Often, osteochondrosis begins to appear during pregnancy, if not treated, it quickly progresses to the next stage. The history of the disease considers the corset to be an effective means of disease progression.
The second stage is characterized by protrusions and bright clinical manifestations. Treatment becomes difficult, exacerbation occurs more often. In girls before pregnancy, it is necessary to cure the disease in order to avoid complications due to salt deposits and displacement of the vertebrae. There may be problems with going to the toilet, then special candles will help. Corset, diet, daily exercise, and ERT may also be effective.
The third and fourth stages are dangerous with the appearance of intervertebral hernias, complications and disorders in the work of internal organs. Only diet and massage will not help. Sometimes the only way out in the fight against the disease can be surgical treatment. In the future, a person will have to wear a corset and recover for a long time.
Symptoms
The signs of lumbar osteochondrosis begin to appear in the first stage of the disease with the appearance of acute pain in the lumbar region. Initially, the exacerbation passes quickly and does not interfere with the normal function of working capacity. During pregnancy, a woman constantly feels discomfort and muscle tension.
With the progression of the disease, exacerbation occurs more often, but can be removed with analgesics. Pain symptoms become prolonged, painful. If the nerve fibers are affected, then the pain radiates to different parts of the body. This can be a leg, buttock and various areas of the back. Increased pain occurs when you stay in one position for a long time, make sudden movements or lift weights. A characteristic sign of osteochondrosis may appear - back pain.
In addition to the feeling of pain, the muscle corset suffers. The muscles of the back are constantly in a tense state, painful when pressed. Over time, the aggravation does not disappear, the patient develops intolerable pain, which increases even with slight movement, coughing or sneezing. During pregnancy, weight gain is observed, which worsens the general well-being of a woman and provokes constant symptoms of osteochondrosis.
In the final stages, the innervation is disturbed and the spinal cord is affected. The muscle corset does not cope with the protection, the vertebrae are destroyed, intervertebral hernias are formed. There are malfunctions in the work of the intestines, stomach, genitourinary system. Men have problems with potency. Constant pain and symptoms of intoxication worsen a person's well-being. The medical history of a patient with such abnormalities often leads the patient to the operating table.
Treatment
In order to choose the right treatment for osteochondrosis, diagnosis is carried out. The patient's history and complaints are studied in detail. Exacerbation makes it possible to more carefully identify the picture with the help of diagnostic techniques. The patient's medical history is updated with new symptoms. An X-ray is ordered to examine the spine. During pregnancy, x-rays cannot be done in the same way as wearing a corset.
There are other diagnostic methods. This can be magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. An ultrasound examination is performed to examine the internal organs, especially if the medical history shows various pathologies.
Treatment in each case is selected individually and must be comprehensive. There are certain principles that help to cure the disease. These are drugs to relieve pain, a diet to normalize the functioning of internal organs. Also, you can not heat the affected area.
During pregnancy, you should first worry about the health of the fetus. During a running course, in addition to the main course of therapy, it is necessary to wear a corset. Special suppositories are used for impaired bowel function. You also cannot warm up the lower back muscles if there is an aggravation. The diet is prescribed after consultation with a gynecologist. Charging should be special and at a specific time.
The treatment is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms, restoring the physiological functions of the spine.
For pain, it is necessary to take NSAIDs, antispasmodics, analgesics. The necessary medicine will be prescribed by the doctor. You can relieve severe pain with the help of novocaine blockade.
The diet excludes foods that are harmful and difficult for the liver and kidneys. Do not abuse alcohol, cigarettes. To cure the disease, you can simultaneously combine drugs and alternative methods of treatment. Charging should enter the rhythm of life. It is impossible to warm the injured area during an exacerbation and at the beginning of treatment. The diet should be prescribed for a long time.
Effective massage, manual therapy, physiotherapy and daily exercises - this is what will help you get rid of the disease and always stay in shape.