Humans are the only type of mammal that walks with their back upright.In this regard, the spine experiences a great overload.On the one hand, there is a predominance of a sedentary lifestyle, 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.In addition, this disease is most often found 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 disturbed.Under the influence of adverse factors, the disc loses fluid, becomes denser and less flexible.This is due to the load on the spine during movement: pressure on the axis of the disc squeezes fluid from it.During a night's rest, the spine should be fully restored, but with a sedentary lifestyle, this does not happen, as the muscles and ligaments gradually lose their ability to stretch and therefore fully recover.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
This type of osteochondrosis is considered the most insidious.The vertebrae that make up the neck are very close together.Even a slight 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 occur.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 chest
The main symptom of this type is chest pain.It most often occurs on one side and is defined as a pain or stabbing.A characteristic feature is the connection with movement, and with static loads, the pain intensifies.There are two types of chest pain: one is a sharp but short-lasting attack, the other is mild but long-lasting.If you visit 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 both men and women with equal frequency.In the area where the lumbar region passes to the sacral region, a sharp pain occurs.The main problem is the reduction of cartilage tissue, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, and this is a shortcut to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.The pain can appear 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 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 of development:
- the initial stage is manifested by minor and short-term pain due to unstable functioning of the spine;
- in the second stage, the vertebrae are displaced, which shortens the distance between them;
- at the third stage, serious deformations of the intervertebral discs are already possible, up to the formation of a hernia;
- at the last stage, a person feels stiffness in movements, which can be accompanied by sharp pain.
Symptoms and signs
The onset of the disease is difficult to trace, as there are no pronounced symptoms.Sometimes your back goes numb after sitting or lying in one position for a long time and you get a tingling sensation in your legs.All these unpleasant sensations quickly pass, you just need to move or rub your stiff leg.Sharp pain comes, as always, unexpectedly: a person stumbles, turns sharply - and a pain syndrome occurs, in which it is scary to even think about the next step.When pressing on the area of concern, pain appears, movements are limited, muscles are tense.A protective spasm occurs;In this way, the body protects the painful area from further movements.This condition usually lasts about 24 hours until the muscles can relax.
Thus, the signs of osteochondrosis include discomfort in various 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 in the spine began.
Reasons for development
The causes of the disease include factors that interfere with the proper nutrition of the disc and make its recovery impossible:
- prolonged stay of the body in positions that have a bad effect on the functioning of the spine (mainly sitting);
- injuries;This point applies especially to people engaged in sports that involve heavy loads on the spine (for example, weight lifting);
- work related to long-term static loads (for example, assembly line worker, hairdresser, etc.);With such work, there is congestion in the muscles and poor blood circulation.
Since the main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven distribution of the load on the spine, other factors that at first glance seem unimportant can also affect human health.Carrying a bag in only one hand, the habit of sitting bent over, with a hunched back, sleeping on a soft down bed, distortion of the position of the neck during sleep (high pillow), uncomfortable (albeit fashionable) shoes - all this also serves as a prerequisite for back diseases.Unhealthy lifestyles, obesity and teenage scoliosis can further worsen the condition.
Risk factors include:
- tall people because their back muscles are poorly developed;
- all those who lead a sedentary lifestyle;
- those who are forced by their profession to lift weights;
- truck drivers experiencing sustained vibration;
- former athletes;
- those who already had similar cases of the disease in their family;
- pregnant women and women during menopause;
- elderly people;
- smokers.
How to diagnose the disease
If the patient finds the above symptoms, he should go to the local doctor, who will refer the patient to a neurologist.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 the disease by palpating the back.If the patient suspects a hernia, then a trauma surgeon is indispensable.
Instrumental methods are also used for diagnosis:
- X-ray of the spine;
- myelography (this is a picture not only of bones, but also of nerve endings and other structures);
- examination of reflexes (the notorious hammer of the neurologist);
- computed tomography;
- nuclear magnetic resonance (the most accurate and safe diagnostic method);
- nuclear magnetic resonance (indispensable method for pathology of intervertebral discs).
The doctor also prescribes the usual tests for the patient.
In a general blood test, you should pay attention to the number of leukocytes and ESR.Increasing values 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.
The total urine test will show what percentage of mineral salts exist in the body.Increased speed indicates a violation of the correct balance of nutrients in food.
Elevated blood sugar also indicates that the patient is not eating properly.In addition, it can be the first symptom of diabetes, which leads to complications for all organs of the human body.
The analysis of the level of cholesterol in the blood is also very important, as it 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 relieve the patient's condition, relieve inflammation and improve metabolism.If these procedures are not enough, the doctor prescribes a blockade, i.e.injections, which are quite effective medicine.Elderly people are prescribed drugs that do not accumulate in the body.
Physiotherapy complements drug treatment well.Physiotherapy methods include: ultrasound, use of a magnetic field, low-frequency current, laser therapy, etc.The principle of action is aimed at expanding blood vessels and increasing blood circulation.In this way, an analgesic effect is achieved and the impaired immune reaction 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 on their feet.Under the influence of physical activity, the impaired functions are not only restored, but the general mental state of the patient is also improved.The mere prescription of such therapy gives the patient confidence that he will be able to return to a full-fledged lifestyle.A simulator like a special treatment board has proven to be excellent.It is a cheap and effective way to restore the function of the spine.
The action of the massage is based on complex metabolic processes.Thanks to it, blood and lymph circulation in the affected area improves, which promotes metabolism, relaxation of muscle tone, mobility of joints and improvement of skin condition.Massage relieves pain, fatigue and improves the body's physical condition.
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 a functional blockage and restore the ability to fully use the affected organ.The impact is carried out with the help of pressure, twisting, pressing, sudden movement, etc.
Spinal traction gives good results.It can be underwater or dry.It is used to increase the space between disks.Underwater, as the name suggests, takes place under water, and on dry land - 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 subsequently occur:
- hernia;
- protrusion (initial change in the intervertebral disc);
- kyphosis (back hump);
- sciatica;
- salt deposits;
- spinal cord stroke;
- circulatory disorders;
- paralysis of the legs
Untreated cervical osteochondrosis can cause headaches, dizziness and insomnia.The chest becomes intercostal neuralgia.Lumbar causes such consequences 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 purposeful 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 such a possibility exists, you should move to another workplace at the first sensation of back pain.Otherwise, you need to take the necessary measures: constantly change the position of your body, optimize your workplace, do gymnastics or at least some exercises.Yoga classes can play a special role.This ancient Indian system of postures, so-called asanas, can help remove any tension in the body, relax and stretch the spine.
Correct work with weights is of no small importance in prevention.
There are a few rules that anyone looking after their back should follow:
- Do not lift weights with outstretched arms;it would be correct to sit down and, pressing the load to your chest, stand up with a straight back;
- You cannot carry a load in one hand;it would be correct to divide its weight into two, approximately equal parts;
- even if the luggage weighs a little, you should periodically stop and rest your hands;
- the spine must be prepared for loading;A regular set of exercises to strengthen the back, that is, the muscle corset, can help with this.
If it is not possible to do exercises regularly, you can replace them with more familiar walking.It is recommended to take at least 8,000 steps every day, but you must ensure good posture and combine the steps with proper breathing;While walking, you can try different walking options: on toes, on heels, lifting your legs high, competitive walking.If you do not have time for this, then even a short but vigorous walk to work and back will benefit the body.
Swimming combines the possibility of relaxing the vertebrae and feeling of physical activity.In water, Archimedes' law applies, 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 should be remembered that both the lack of physical activity and its excess are harmful to the spine.You need to carefully monitor the condition of your body and avoid pain.
If signs of inflammation occur, a medical applicator can help.When the needles come into contact with the patient's skin, nerve endings are irritated, blood vessels dilate, blood 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 pursue several goals:
- fight against excess weight;
- the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals;
- prevention of dehydration of the body;
- slowing down destructive processes.
For the diet to achieve its goals, food must be low in calories and include dairy products, fish, eggs, herbs and vegetable oil.Doctors advise to eat dishes based on broths: soups, borscht, jellied meats, toppings.In fact, such foods contain protectors that protect cartilage tissue.But the elderly should approach such a diet with caution, since the fat contained in concentrated broths can clog a blood vessel in the brain.
The health of the spine is in the hands of every person.If at the first pain you start doing gymnastics, sign up for a swimming pool and revise your diet, you can not only slow down the process of destruction of the vertebrae, but also improve the health of the body as a whole.If you do not have the time or desire to lead an active lifestyle, then you should follow the basic safety rules described above in this article.