Osteochondrosis is a degenerative lesion of the intervertebral disc and articular tissue.In medicine, this term is usually used to refer to a complex of processes that occur specifically in the intervertebral disc.Changes in the vertebral bodies themselves are adaptive mechanisms.This may also include mobility limitations.Which is noticeable with age.
Osteochondrosis can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar.Older people suffer from this disease more often.But today this disease often occurs in young people.This is due to an inactive lifestyle and bad habits: school, computer, car, overweight, smoking, alcohol, etc.Modern children prefer computers to playing outside.In this case, insufficiently developed muscles, poor "nutrition" of the intervertebral disc and surrounding tissue.This also includes modern food products: sweets, carbonated foods, various fast foods, stress, neurosis, etc.According to statistics, osteochondrosis affects about 80% of the working population worldwide.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a change in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.As a result, the disc loses its elasticity, shape, moisture percentage and over time loses its function: ensuring spinal mobility, shock absorption when lifting heavy objects or other loads.The normal relationship between the disc and the vertebrae is disrupted.The spine becomes smaller in length, stability is impaired, and spasms of certain muscle groups are possible.Although the latter sometimes act as a cause rather than an effect.In advanced cases, nerve ending compression occurs.Hence the pain.
I want to go ahead and say that today there is no definite answer about the cause of osteochondrosis.It is believed that this is influenced by a large number of factors, which will be discussed further.If the doctor's recommendations are not followed, osteochondrosis can cause protrusion (bulging of part of the disc), as well as hernia (bulging of part of the disc with rupture of the fibrous ring).In the second case, the contents of the disc enter the spinal canal.After that, the body tries to adapt to the changes and bone tissue begins to grow to limit the mobility of the affected area.One cannot bend/push like before.
Causes of osteochondrosis
There are many reasons for the development of osteochondrosis:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Incorrect posture (kyphosis, scoliosis, etc.);
- Unbalanced nutrition;
- Constant stress and neurosis;
- Infections, viruses and past illnesses;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Hidden infection;
- Overweight;
- Continuous load.This also includes sedentary professions;
- Wearing low-quality or uncomfortable shoes;
- Weak skeletal muscles;
- Weak immunity;
- Hormonal changes or use of replacement therapy;
- Side effects of some drugs;
- injury;
- Lack of vitamins and microelements;
- Ancestry;
- Using uncomfortable pillows and mattresses;
- Bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drug addiction);
- Professional or extreme sports.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Symptoms depend on the location and stage of the disease:
- Cervical osteochondrosis: pain in the neck, head, arms, ringing in the ears, stiffness of movement, numbness in the fingers, floaters in the ears or other artifacts.When the arteries are compressed, throbbing headaches, dizziness, impaired hearing, vision, etc.Possible depression or similar conditions, drowsiness, loss of strength;
- Thoracic osteochondrosis: pain in the chest, in the back between the shoulder blades, discomfort, possible pain in the heart or other organs, difficulty breathing;
- Lumbar osteochondrosis: pain in the lower back, which can be acute or aching, discomfort in the lower back, numbness in the legs, tingling, loss of sensitivity, disorders of the internal organs of the pelvis.
During the remission period, the acute pain subsides, but the pain or discomfort persists.It becomes more noticeable after exercise, heavy lifting, or severe stress.Depending on the location and stage, as well as other concomitant diseases, symptoms may vary.Therefore, it is important to undergo a comprehensive examination.Lower back pain can be caused by diseases of the reproductive and urinary systems.
Osteochondrosis and the nervous system
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause compression of nerve roots and blood vessels.This affects not only well-being, but also memory, vision, hearing, central nervous system, and internal organ function.
The main symptoms of nervous system disorders:
- Poor sleep;
- Irritation;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- chills or fever;
- Loss of strength;
- Laziness;
- Changes in blood pressure;
- headache
Keep in mind that such symptoms may be a manifestation of neurosis or depression.In this case, it is important to contact not only a neurologist, but also a psychotherapist.
Diagnostics
To diagnose and make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a neurologist and an osteopath.Based on your medical history, an examination will be prescribed: test, MRI or X-ray.Once the results are received, the appropriate treatment will be prescribed.
It is necessary to understand that the treatment is very slow and requires the patient to follow a large number of rules.Everything you did before led to the development of the disease: bad habits, reaction to stress, activity, work, nutrition, physical activity, etc.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Depending on the stage of the disease, pain is first relieved using:
- Relax the muscles;
- Painkillers;
- Chondroprotectors (depending on symptoms);
- Vitamins;
- Vasodilators;
- Drugs to normalize metabolic processes.
After that, physical therapy is prescribed to strengthen the muscle corset;diet, daily routine, mattress and pillow are recommended.Thanks to exercise therapy, blood supply and tissue nutrition are also improved.In some cases, breathing practices are shown to have a positive effect not only on the spasmodic muscles, but also on the central nervous system as a whole.Because osteochondrosis can be caused by prolonged stress, depression or neurosis.In addition, it is recommended to consult a psychotherapist to resolve internal conflicts.
Helper Method
- Massage;
- Manual therapy;
- Physiotherapy (electrophoresis);
- Attractiveness (not suitable for everyone and not always);
- Reflexology.
Prevention and prognosis
It is important to understand that everything you did before led you to this disease.It is necessary to slowly and gradually change your lifestyle towards health: eat right, do exercise therapy, move more (walking is natural from a physiological point of view), rest naturally, avoid or learn to cope with stress (psychotherapist or meditation practice), lose excess weight, monitor your posture.If possible, change your workplace or type of activity, eliminate harmful foods: fast food, smoked meat, canned food, carbonated drinks, alcohol, smoking, strong coffee, fatty foods, etc.Pay attention to fruits, vegetables, herbs.
Take good care of your health;as a rule, it is a non-renewable resource.Slowly and gradually this disease can be stopped or completely eliminated.