Causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a serious spinal disease, as it can cause severe discomfort and lead to various complications.For this reason, it should be treated in a timely and correctly.This can be done at home with the help of medicines, folk remedies, physical education and physiotherapeutic procedures.All medical measures must be approved by a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of complications.

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative -district spinal disease (DDZP), leading to a violation of the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.This provokes a decrease in their elasticity and a change in shape.Because of this, the interval between the vertebrae is significantly reduced and the instability of the spine is observed in this country.

With the pathological destruction of the tissue, the clamping ends the nerves emanating from the spinal cord, which leads to constant tension of the spinal muscles.Despite this background, pain and other characteristic symptoms appear.The clinical signs are able to change depending on which the segment has suffered degenerative disorders.The following departments are distinguished by spinal chondrosis:

• cervix;
• chest;
• Lumbar

If the pathological process affects some segments, then such osteochondrosis is polysegent.Disordishes common disorders have complicated symptoms and are much more difficult to diagnose, as areas nearby and remotely can be affected.For example, osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar cross.

Stages of osteochondrosis

There are 4 stages of osteochondrosis:

1. The first is characterized by initial disorders in the intervertebral disc area.Usually at this stage of cartilage, a surrounding vertebra, is covered with cracks.As a result, a landing begins in the lumen between the discs.
2. The second.The fibrous ring covered with cracks is so narrow that the ligaments and muscles of the spine begin to come into contact and rub against one another.At this stage, a person can manifest the first painful syndrome.The second stage leads to the formation of vertebrae instability.
3. Third.Putting the cartilage between the discs occurs.Turning is detected when performing radiographs, and the symptoms are emphasized, which is intense.At this stage, the pain syndrome can only be removed by using powerful medicines.
4. Fourth.It is characterized by excessive volatility of vertebrae, as bone growths are formed on them - osteophytes.They damage the nerve roots.Usually at this stage the symptoms go down somewhat, but they manifest seasonally (the peaks of irritation occur in the fall and spring).

Reason

Osteochondrosis is able to develop against the background of body hypothermia, sharp curves that provoke the displacement of vertebrae, physical exercise.Experts' opinion converges that the main reason for degenerative processes in the back is the improper distribution of load in the spinal column.

Moreover, there are many factors that lead to this:

• the weakness of the back muscles;
• Slouch;
• change of walking during pregnancy;
• curvature of the spine;
• lifting weight;
• class of active and energy sports;
• being in an unpleasant position for a long time;
• Reduce lifestyle.

Also, osteochondrosis can be provoked by other reasons:

• violation of metabolic processes (lack of zinc, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other useful trace elements);
• body intoxication with chemicals;
• genetic predisposition;
• the consequences of infectious diseases;
• fall, bruises;
• hormonal violations;
• irritable stroke;
• Changing the elasticity of the nucleus.

Deviations in the development of the spinal column can cause degenerative and dystrophic changes.There are such provocative factors as abnormal oxification of the child's skeleton, inappropriate physical activity and rapid growth.In this case, osteochondrosis is called youth, or juvenile.

If it is not possible to determine the cause and time of occurrence (at what age did the degenerative -dated process develop - in adolescence or adult) the disease, then it is called unspecified.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis is able to cause different symptoms, as each segment of the spine is responsible for distributing nerve endings in different organs and systems.

All manifestations are divided into 4 groups:

1. Statistical symptoms are associated with a physiological violation of the shape of the vertebrae.As a result, a person changes the attitude, the mobility of the head worsens, the difficulties arise with the direction of the spinal column.
2. Neurological characteristics are formed against the backdrop of nerve tissue damage.This leads to a violation of skin sensitivity and a decrease in the intensity of muscle contractions in certain areas of the body.If in the initial phase the pain syndrome manifests itself in the country, then as the disease progresses, it begins to affect good areas.Neurology includes manifestations such as numbness, tingling and goose tingling.With osteochondrosis, a symptom of lacega is distinguished, which is otherwise called a symptom of tension.It is associated with excessive tension of sciatica.It is caused by the spinal nerve violation in the spine or spasm of the gluteal/lumbar muscles.
3. Possible vascular symptoms that occur against the background of squeezing the blood arteries.Usually this is observed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region.In the event of a damaged blood flow to the area, the lack of brain oxygen appears, as a result of which dizziness, a feeling of nausea and changes in the sympathetic nervous system occur.The latter are characterized by prolonged pain and chronic ischemia in the internal organs.
4. The so -called trophic symptoms are distinguished.They are a combination of vascular and neurological disorders that lead to skin defects and ulcers.

Treatment

To successfully cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to do a detailed examination and create an accurate diagnosis.First, doctors perform an external examination of the patient, collecting disease, after which they use laboratory and instrumental research methods.

There are 3 methods of therapy:

• medicines;
• physiotherapeutic;
• surgical

A particular diet, compliance with bed rest and minimizing loads in the vertebral column is greater than the treatment of osteochondrosis.When resting, it is recommended to use a solid surface instead of a soft mattress.

At home, to treat the disease, you can turn to the first two methods.At the same time, it is advisable to combine them.To increase their action, you can present popular methods in therapy.

However, the self -medication is extremely undesirable.All measures and procedures must be approved by a specialist.In osteochondrosis therapy, certain rules must be observed in the use of certain methods.

Moreover, if the medical care of the drug has not yielded results and the disease progresses, then surgical treatment is prescribed.Surgical intervention is performed to stabilize the spine structure, removal of intervertebral hernias or completely affected discs.

drug

The drug treatment of osteochondrosis should be comprehensive, to have a purpose to stop pain and eliminate other pronounced symptoms.To do this, use different drug groups:

1. Anti -inflammatory non -steroidal.They are created to eliminate inflammatory processes and all kinds of pain.They also facilitate the swelling of the tissue.
2. Soothing. They are used to stop the pain syndrome, but do not affect the pathological process themselves.
3. Muscle relaxants.They are used to relieve muscle spasm in the back, due to which the pain is significantly reduced.They act by blocking the receptors in the affected muscle fibers, as a result of which is disturbed the conductivity of the pulses in the spinal cord.The effect of these medicines is short-lived, but during this time muscle fibers manage to return normal tone and use their protective mechanisms from degenerative-district processes.
4. Group B, D, A, E, C, phosphorus -containing and calcium -containing medicines.Vitamin-mineral complexes are needed for replenishing substances in the body involved in bone and cartilage formation, metabolic processes.
5. Chondroprotectors.
6. Vasodilative drugs.

In pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, doctors recommend the use of chondroprotectors that have a cumulative effect and affect the human body after a certain time, helping to restore the intervertebral disc.Such drugs use a long period, up to 2-3 months.Moreover, chondroprotectors seriously load the liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract, so they must be combined with probiotics.

Probiotics

All these groups of medicines can be used in different forms.With severe pain, injections are usually used for direct administration in the pathological area of the spine.In such cases, patients are prescribed injections with chondroprotectors and so -called novocaine blockade.Anyway in the form of injections in the affected vertebra should only be administered by the attending physician, as this is a very difficult and dangerous procedure.Other pharmacological types of medication are also not uncontrollable.The dose and treatment regimen must be determined by a specialist.

With less fear, ointments and gel may be used, but in this case there are certain restrictions.For example, local action heating agents cannot be used during periods of worsening of the disease.The most popular medicines in the form of ointments, gels and creams for osteochondrosis include:

Exercise therapy

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, physical education (LFK) will be useful.Moderate physical activity can benefitively affect the muscular system.They stimulate the metabolic processes, restore the movement of the spinal column and strengthen the muscle crust.

The doctor should choose the methodology and diagram of therapeutic gymnastics, as it is able to change depending on which the spine is subject to the pathological process.Therefore, it is desirable for the class to develop under the control of a specialist.After mastering the program, treatment of physiotherapy exercises can be continued at home.

For example, when diagnosing osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the following simple exercises are recommended:

1. Tilt the head forward and press on the forehead area with woven fingers.The patient should prevent pressure.A similar exercise is then performed, operating in the occipital part, the left and right temple.
2. Press on the forehead with four fingers, as if you stretch the skin for 45 seconds.Actions are performed in different directions.This exercise is created to restore blood circulation.
3. Sit in a chair or floor, keep your back straight and smoothly your head back.With your hands it is necessary to gently press on the chin up and down.Then make your heads left and right.
4. Try to get the breast beard.In this position, you need to cross your hands to the back of your head and press on it.In a stressful state, you need to wake up for 1 minute, and then perform the shoulder movement, raising them, trying to reach the ear.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Drug treatment gives a good result if you combine it with physiotherapeutic procedures.Electromagnetic therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasonic therapy, etc. are useful for the condition of the vertebrae.Some types of procedures can be performed at home if you buy appropriate portable equipment.Mineral waters and healing clay have beneficial effects.

In the absence of contraindications to massage, the patient can be visited by a manual therapist.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, reflective sessions can be used - the effect on certain points of the body.At home, you can develop yourself -Mase.There are several techniques that contribute to eliminating pain and muscle tonic:

• Light by hitting the vertebral region with one or both hands;
• suppression of muscle with lift or circular motion, non -deferred fingertips;
• by pressing the muscles with the palm;
• Direct matching of trapezoidal muscle;
• Longitudinal and cord squeezing along the massage lines;
• Rubbing the gaps between the ribs.

Folk remedies

To remove the pain, you can use tools according to popular recipes.The result of herb treatment and other natural compositions will only appear with their prolonged use.

Popular remedies are preferable compared to medicines, as the latter with long -used use are able to seriously damage the intestines, liver and pancreas.Therefore, it is advisable to use non -traditional medicine methods after stopping acute pain syndromes with medication.The methods presented should be gradually replaced by medicines when recommended by the doctor.

Some effective recipes can be observed:

1. Honey and potatoes.You need to take some potatoes, grind them in a grater, add the same amount of honey.The components should be fully mixed, wear gauze and use it in the form of a compression in a painful area.The application reconciliation should be wrapped in a scarf and left in this position for 1 hour.
2. Horseradish.You need to get 1 leaf of plant and steam with boiling water.Should turn inside the painful area and attach it.The product must be fixed and securely wrapped in a scarf.The procedure should be performed at night and remove the bandage - only the next morning.
3. Hot bottle.It is necessary to get plastic containers, pour hot water into it, place the sofa and lie on it with the back.It is advisable to try to move the bottle underneath.The procedure should be performed for 30 minutes.
4. Parsley.It is necessary to eat for 30 days daily 1 root of the plant.
5. Pine buds.Raw materials should be collected in the spring.The length of the pine buds should be 2 cm.It is necessary to rinse them and dry them.Raw materials should be on the ground and combine with 2: 1 proportions, then mix completely and placed in the refrigerator.The product will be ready when it gets a rich brown tinge.The mixture should be eaten for 1 tsp.per day for 3 weeks.

When using popular remedies, it is extremely careful to address the procedures with a heating effect.Such actions can temporarily help get rid of pain and inflammation, but are able to damage.During periods of deterioration of the disease, any heat is prohibited, as they cause vascular enlargement, as a result of which swelling can occur.In such situations, you should apply for treatment for specialists.With osteochondrosis of the cervical region in any form, it is forbidden to warm the neck, as this can provoke a strong migraine.

PREVENTION

Each person should take special measures aimed at preventing the development of osteochondrosis.The main measure of prevention is to observe proper behavior during movement and in a sitting position.

It is advisable to get involved in physical education, contributing to the strengthening of the muscular system and corsets of the spinal column.

For sleep, you should choose specially designed orthopedic mattresses and pillows.Their advantage is that they allow you to repeat the physiological outline of the spinal column.

The musculoskeletal system cannot be exposed to excess loads.If necessary, lifting weights, you should use the right technique.

Dietary food should be observed.The diet should be balanced, ensure the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.You cannot use a large amount of caffeine, chocolate and alcoholic beverages.Food should be rich in protein, calcium and other useful trace elements.