Osteochondrosis is a common disease in which a person experiences pain and limitation of movements in various parts of the back. Previously, it was believed that the disease was characteristic only of the elderly, but in recent years, young patients are increasingly suffering from osteochondrosis. According to statistics, every second inhabitant of the planet is prone to back pain.
The human spine consists of 32-34 vertebrae connected to each other in a vertical position. Between the vertebrae there are cartilaginous layers - the so-called cartilage discs. They provide flexibility, mobility of the spine during movement.
What is osteochondrosis? This is a disease of the spine, the basis of which is the destruction of the intervertebral discs, and then the vertebrae themselves. These disc destructions over time lead to complications such as protrusions (protrusion of part of the disc) and herniation of the vertebrae.
Most often, osteochondrosis affects residents of large cities. Sedentary work, as a result of the lack of movement, leads to static overload of the spine.
The reasons
When a person walks, the load on the spine is unevenly distributed. The intervertebral discs are compressed, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, as a result of which the tissue of the intervertebral cartilage is destroyed. If the disease starts, the nerve roots are also damaged. In this case, a person may have pain in the area of the nerve roots, as well as numbness, burning, a "creeping" sensation. The pain may appear when sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position, bending the arms or legs. In addition, there are risk factors.
Osteochondrosis can provoke some diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as: flat feet, scoliosis, diseases of the muscular system. In addition, osteochondrosis also occurs in endocrine pathologies, for example, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus and thyroid gland diseases. Lifestyle also affects the course of the disease. If a person often stands in an uncomfortable position, stands or sits for a long time, leads a sedentary lifestyle, then all this leads to the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Malnutrition with a predominance of fat and a deficiency of vitamins and minerals can also provoke problems with the spine. If a person has had injuries, bruises and operations on the spine, this can provoke an exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Heredity negatively affects the course of the disease.
Bad habits (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption) also have a negative impact on the spine. Nicotine adversely affects the metabolism, which leads to weakening of the intervertebral discs. Excess weight adds extra stress to all parts of the spine, eventually damaging the intervertebral discs. A sedentary lifestyle is also not good for the spine. In the absence of movement, the load on the back increases, the intervertebral discs are "erased" and the cartilage is damaged. With excessive physical exertion and professional sports, microtraumas of the spine also occur. The first symptoms of osteochondrosis may not appear immediately.
Types of osteochondrosis
Cervical
The neck is a very mobile part of the body, undergoing numerous side-to-side rotations every day. There are seven small vertebrae in the neck, connected to each other by special discs. The disease of this department is considered quite serious, because in the cervical region there are many vessels (arteries and veins), as well as nerve roots, which are responsible for important body systems. Cervical osteochondrosis often complicates the saturation of the head with blood, so the brain also suffers from it. It is believed that operations in this part of the spine can cause immobilization, that is, a movement disorder in the whole body.
pectoral
The thoracic vertebrae are not as mobile as the lower back and neck. For this reason, thoracic osteochondrosis is rarer than other types. People who lift weights, as well as athletes, more often than others suffer from the disease of this part of the back. There are cases when thoracic osteochondrosis is confused with a heart attack, lung diseases. In order to make the correct diagnosis, examinations and consultation with a doctor are necessary.
Lumbar (or lumbosacral)
The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae connected by intervertebral discs. These vertebrae are large and strong, capable of bearing the weight of the human body. But if the metabolic processes are disturbed, the vertebrae quickly become less elastic and inelastic, the nerve roots of the lower back are damaged. As a result, a person experiences severe pain in the lower back, which radiates to the leg or groin.
If the sacral spine is also affected, then such osteochondrosis is called lumbosacral. In this form, the defeat is stronger and more serious. It is difficult for a person to walk, sometimes paralysis of the legs occurs, because the spinal cord and nerve roots that go to the lower limbs are damaged. Possibly urinary incontinence.
Main symptoms
There is cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis. The disease has many symptoms that depend on the level of the lesion.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptoms are pain in the neck, which increases when turning and tilting the head. Painkillers help, but not for long. Dizziness and tinnitus are common. Some patients report numbness of the face and neck, weakness in the arms.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
It is less common. With this type of osteochondrosis, a person has pain in the chest area, between the shoulder blades. The pain is aggravated by bending over and moving. There is a feeling of a lump in the throat, breathing becomes difficult. There may be tingling in the chest, pain in the heart, in the stomach.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The most common type of this disease. The main symptom is pain in the lower back, radiating to one or both legs, to the groin, to the abdomen. Especially often sensations arise when turning to the side, tilting the body.
Diagnosis
Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by a neurologist. To make a diagnosis, he will prescribe an examination. Basically, this is an X-ray of the affected back, if complications are suspected - protrusions and herniation of the spine, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is prescribed. In some cases, an ultrasound of the vessels of the vertebral arteries is performed.
Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis depends on the stage of the disease, on the age and individual characteristics of the person.
Therapy is aimed at relieving pain, relaxing muscles and preventing complications. The main group in the treatment of the disease are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are drugs that relieve pain, remove inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs are available as injections as well as tablets. It is prescribed by a doctor.
In addition, muscle relaxants are used - drugs that relax spasmodic muscles, due to which muscle pain decreases. It is usually used for external use. Such drugs reduce pain, create a "distracting" effect, that is, warm or cool.
Topical remedies are excellent for pain relief. Such ointments and creams relieve swelling, relieve inflammation and reduce pain at the site of the lesion.
The drugs do not have a cumulative effect and, importantly, are available without a prescription. These remedies reliably relieve pain in any part of the spine.
Warming ointments can be distinguished among them - their effect occurs after about half an hour. Their action is that they expand the blood vessels of the skin, inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain.
However, it is worth remembering that ointments with an analgesic effect can adversely affect people with an exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, there are other external means - patches, which also relieve pain and swelling. These patches are available without a prescription.
Along with pain relief, prescribe drugs that restore nerve roots. These are vitamins of group B. They are prescribed in the form of injections or tablets in courses.
In addition to drug treatment, the patient is prescribed to wear special bandages and corsets. Such products relieve the spine, improve metabolic processes and strengthen the disc structure. It is prescribed after removing the pain in the spine.
As it was written above, with osteochondrosis, the elasticity and mobility of the intervertebral disc deteriorates. To restore this important structure, chondroprotectors are used in treatment, these drugs restore cartilage and prevent their destruction. They are used only according to the instructions of a doctor, courses.
After removing the pain and inflammation, recovery is necessary. Physiotherapy is used for this: massage, acupuncture, electrostimulation. Massage is prescribed no earlier than 3-6 months after treatment. If a person has protrusions and herniation, spinal traction is recommended.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis
Exercise therapy and gymnastics are an important addition to the treatment of osteochondrosis. It is a mandatory condition that the exercises are performed only after the back pain subsides. For each patient, the exercises are selected individually, depending on the age and characteristics of the body.
Gymnastics with osteochondrosis improves blood circulation and metabolism, strengthens the back muscles. Thanks to this strengthening, spasms and overtension in the spine pass, the back becomes more stable. The regularity of performance and the individual selection of exercises are important. In addition, gymnastics is a proven and effective way to prevent the development of the disease itself. Therefore, a little exercise in the morning, as well as five minutes at work, will benefit your back.
How to sleep properly?
It is believed that it is most beneficial to sleep on your back. This is the most comfortable position for the spine, as in this position there is complete relaxation of all muscles. In addition, with lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to place a small roll or pillow under the knees. It is not recommended to sleep on your stomach - it is harmful to the cervical vertebrae.
In this position, a person turns his head, and as a result, important vessels and nerve roots of the neck are pressed, blood circulation is disturbed. As a result, the blood does not reach the head enough, dizziness and headache appear, a feeling of numbness in the hands may appear. Lateral position of the body is also considered acceptable.
Pillow and mattress
A mattress
For proper and healthy sleep, it is better to choose orthopedic products. An orthopedic mattress is useful for all parts of the spine, it allows you to maintain a natural anatomical curve - this improves blood circulation in the back. The back muscles on such a mattress are in the most comfortable and relaxed state and a person gets enough sleep.
Mattresses are different: hard, soft, medium firmness. It is worth choosing individually.
- For children and teenagers, a mattress with a medium to firm firmness will be beneficial.
- For people over 25 years of age with a healthy back, a medium-firm mattress is recommended.
- In the presence of scoliosis and other diseases of the back, it is worth buying a firm mattress.
A pillow
An important factor for healthy sleep is the choice of pillow. It should be soft and comfortable enough to support the curves of the spine and relieve tension from the neck muscles. The pillow has a beneficial effect on sleep, relaxes the cervical region and the head, improves blood circulation. These pillows help support posture as well as eliminate snoring.
I would like to add that comfort and a favorable environment are necessary for sound sleep. Before going to bed, do not be nervous, avoid physical activity. You can take a relaxing bath with salt or herbs (lavender, chamomile). You should sleep in a well-ventilated room with humidity (40-60%).
Prevention
It is probably no secret to anyone that prevention is always easier and cheaper than treatment. It is necessary to take care of the spine from childhood. It is important to monitor your posture during classes and meals, choose the right furniture.
If your work is stuck, try to interrupt every two hours, take five-minute gymnastics breaks. Try not to stand in one position for a long time - this increases the load on the back. For sleep, choose a firm springless mattress. Engage in physical activity. Swimming, fitness, dancing - choose active activities for your free time.
Try not to lift weights all at once. It is better to divide the load into several parts. Do not lift heavy objects with one hand - distribute the weight on both hands. Take vitamins and trace elements, especially useful for the back are vitamins of group B, vitamin D, E, calcium, phosphorus.
If you have back pain, seek medical help.
Take care of your back!