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What is osteochondrosis?

As people age, many people suffer from musculoskeletal problems.The most common disease in this field of medicine is osteochondrosis of the spine.Unfortunately, today it affects not only the representatives of the older generation, but also young people, full of energy.There are many reasons for this - sedentary work, lack of sports or any other physical activity, etc.

What is this

Doctors define vertebral osteochondrosis as a whole complex in tissues and organs connecting the joints and cartilage, developing in any of the joints, but most often affecting the intervertebral discs.

Depending on the location, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis are distinguished.Despite the fact that vertebral osteochondrosis appears after 40 years, the first signs of osteochondrosis are already noticeable at 20.

back pain due to osteochondrosis

Reasons

There can be many factors that lead to the development of the disease.This includes hypothermia, vertebral displacements as a result of injuries, and heavy physical exertion.

However, the main causes of spinal osteochondrosis are as follows:

  • The habit of arching your back;
  • Absence of a solid muscle corset;
  • Different types of scoliosis;
  • Stress, nervous shock, depression, chronic fatigue;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • frequent weight lifting;
  • Metabolic disorders (the body may lack calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and many other useful substances in the blood);
  • heredity;
  • Untreated viral infections;
  • Changes in hormonal levels in both women and men;
  • Various back injuries.

Most often, athletes, loaders, builders and all those whose occupation is associated with active physical labor are susceptible to osteochondrosis.On the contrary, for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, doctors recommend moving more, doing some kind of preventive sports, as well as proper nutrition, so that the body receives all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Symptoms

Symptoms of osteochondrosis directly depend on the affected vertebra area.

  • Osteochondrosis of the cervical spineIt is accompanied by frequent aching neck pains radiating to the spine, back, and chest, neck muscle tension that can cause pain when touched, swelling and numbness of the tongue, tingling in the neck and palms, and general weakness in the neck and shoulders.
  • Osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionthe spine has the following symptoms: sharp pains in the sternum, chest tightness, intercostal pain during physical activity.
  • Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral regionThe lower back is usually accompanied by lower back pain that can radiate to the legs, sacrum and groin, lack of sensitivity in the legs, cold hands and feet, pins and needles in the lower limbs.

If one or more symptoms of this disease occur, you should immediately consult a specialist, because osteochondrosis can cause disturbances in the work of many organs and systems, compressed nerves, as well as migraines, dizziness and insomnia.Lumbosacral osteochondrosis is especially dangerous, because later there is a risk of heart and vascular diseases, diseases of the genitourinary system, scoliosis and displacement of intervertebral discs.

Stages

Osteochondrosis develops gradually and there are several stages of its development:

  • In the first stageIt is still difficult to understand the origin of the disease.Symptoms are not pronounced, the patient experiences only mild discomfort.Small pains in the back and lower back occur from time to time, but most often they are associated with overwork and increased physical activity.Often, primary osteochondrosis is diagnosed accidentally during a routine examination of the patient.
  • In the second stagepain occurs more often and becomes more severe, and cartilage tissue deformation processes begin.The easiest way to treat osteochondrosis is in the second stage, because the doctor can already see all the changes taking place in the body.Painkillers can be added to the general complex therapy.
  • To the third stagedeformation of the spine occurs, scoliosis, kyphosis and other back diseases begin to develop.Treatment is aimed at correcting spinal defects and minimizing the resulting defects.
  • In the fourth stageosteochondrosis, the patient's movement becomes difficult, the cartilage tissue thickens, and some vertebrae are displaced.Pain always accompanies a person.Often, in the fourth stage of the disease, the patient is recognized as disabled.
spinal lesions due to osteochondrosis

Diagnostics

A doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis based on the above symptoms.First, the doctor will check the condition of the patient's spine in different positions, as well as in movement.After that, hardware diagnostics will be carried out to clarify the diagnosis and clarify possible complications.

The main diagnostic types of osteochondrosis of the musculoskeletal system include:

  • MRI;
  • CT (computed tomography);
  • x-ray examination;
  • Ultrasound (ultrasound examination);
  • study of arterial vessels of the brain.

After analyzing the patient's condition, the doctor will identify possible concomitant diseases such as hernia, radiculitis and displaced intervertebral discs.

The patient, in turn, should remember that the symptoms of osteochondrosis can be a symptom of any other disease, so the quality of the diagnosis should be the highest, since the treatment will be prescribed based on the final result.

Results

One of the most dangerous consequences of osteochondrosis is complete or partial muscle atrophy.In many patients, pain is relieved only with painkillers.

If you do not contact a specialist in time, there is a risk of developing a hernia, cholesterol plaques, as a result of which blood pressure and oxygen supply to cells are disturbed.

In patients with the fourth stage of osteochondrosis, heart rhythm disturbances, abnormal functioning of the respiratory system may occur;organs of sight and hearing may also be affected, coordination of movements may be impaired.

Since osteochondrosis primarily affects the blood supply system, the whole human body is at risk.It should be noted that people with impaired metabolism suffer from this disease the most.Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis can be of two types:

  • conservative;
  • surgical.

The choice of the treatment method depends on the severity of the disease, identified complications and the internal strength of the body to recover after the operation.

With a conservative treatment method, the patient will be prescribed a number of drugs and other methods such as massage, therapeutic exercises, exercise therapy.This method of therapy includes medication and hardware therapy.

The most commonly used conservative treatment methods are:

  • Therapeutic physical training, the exercises of which will be individually adapted to the condition of the patient's body.
  • Acupuncture.
  • Massage and hydromassage.
  • Magnetic therapy and vibration stimulation.
  • Ultrasound and laser therapy.
  • Medicines.
  • Proper nutrition to be adapted individually for the patient.
  • Psychotherapy.

It should be noted that if conservative treatment is chosen incorrectly, the patient's condition may worsen.Self-treatment for osteochondrosis is excluded.

The surgical method of treating osteochondrosis is aimed at stabilizing the motor activity of the damaged segments of the spine.If there is a hernia in the spine, the operation can be performed in two ways: using a standard scalpel or laser.The choice is made by the doctor together with the patient, taking into account not only their wishes, but also the condition of the body.According to statistics, surgical intervention is used in 15% of cases.But the success rate is only 3%.

Prevention

It should be remembered that no one is immune to osteochondrosis, so it is better to prevent this disease in time:

  • First of all, you should always control your posture, keeping your back and neck straight, even when working at the computer.
  • It is necessary to devote enough time to sports or any other physical activity, thereby strengthening your muscle corset.Swimming pool exercises are well suited for these purposes.
  • Special orthopedic mattresses and pillows can also be a good prevention of osteochondrosis.
  • Special attention should be paid to the method of weight lifting - to relieve the spine from excessive stress, first squat and then pick up something heavy.It should be noted that you cannot lift more than 17 kg at a time.
  • The main principles of diet are also important elements in the treatment of osteochondrosis.Food should deliver all useful vitamins and minerals to the body, especially during vitamin deficiency.Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, fast food and carbonated drinks.The diet should include vegetables and fruits as sources of fiber, as well as meat, fish and legumes as sources of protein.

Everyone should remember that undetected osteochondrosis can be extremely dangerous for the whole body;all organs and systems of the body are at risk.It is necessary to closely monitor the general state of your health and undergo an examination by a specialist every six months.