Humans are the only species of mammal that move with an upright, straight back. In this regard, the spine experiences a great overload. On the one hand, the predominance of a sedentary lifestyle, on the other hand, physical activity associated with lifting weights, making sudden movements and even using public transport; all of these factors contribute to the development of such a common disease as osteochondrosis. In addition, this disease is most commonly found in the working 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 unfavorable factors, the disc loses fluid, becomes more compact and less flexible. This is due to the stress on the spine during movement: The pressure on the disc axis pushes the fluid out of it. During a night's rest, the spine should fully recover, but it does not happen with an inactive lifestyle as the muscles and ligaments gradually lose their ability to stretch, which means they can fully recover.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
This type of osteochondrosis is considered to be the most insidious. The vertebrae that make up the neck are very close to each other. Even a slight deformation of one of them has serious consequences: headache, pressure surges, heart pain. If the disease is neglected, there may be numbness in the limbs, tinnitus, difficulty breathing, and visual disturbances. Some signs can easily be mistaken for an ordinary headache or fatigue, but if symptoms recur regularly, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to make the correct diagnosis in time.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main symptom of this type is chest pain. Most often it manifests on one side and is defined as painful or stabbing. The connection with movement is characteristic; the pain increases with static load. There are two types of chest pain: one is an acute but short-lived attack, and the other is mild but persistent. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, it is possible to cure the disease without resorting to surgical methods.
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis
This is the most common type of osteochondrosis. Both men and women suffer from it equally often. Acute pain occurs in the transition from the lumbar vertebra to the sacral area. The main problem is a decrease in cartilage tissue that leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and this is a direct route to the formation of an intervertebral hernia. Pain can occur for several reasons: compression of nerve endings, narrowing of the veins, pinching of the sciatic nerve. The exact reason will be determined by the doctor.
The defeat of two or more parts of the spine
Defeat with osteochondrosis of the entire spine or several sections worsens the general condition of a person. The likelihood of hernias increases many times. Constant pain makes a normal life impossible. Until the process of change in the cartilage tissue becomes irreversible, treatment of the disease must be started as soon as possible.
The disease in its development has four stages:
- the initial stage is manifested by mild and short-term pain due to the unstable work of the spine;
- in the second phase, the vertebrae are shifted, which shortens the distance between them;
- in the third stage severe deformations of the intervertebral discs up to hernias are possible;
- at the last stage, a person feels stiffness in movements, which can be accompanied by acute pain.
Symptoms and signs
It is difficult to follow the onset of the disease as there are no pronounced symptoms. Sometimes the back becomes numb after long periods of sitting or lying in one position, and goose bumps appear in the legs. All these unpleasant sensations pass quickly, all you have to do is move or rub a stiff leg. Acute pain, as always, comes unexpectedly: a person stumbled, turned sharply - and a pain syndrome developed, in which it is frightening to even think about the next step. Pressure on the disturbed area causes pain, movement is restricted and the muscles become tense. There is a protective spasm; In this way, the body protects the painful area from further movements. This usually takes about 24 hours before the muscles can relax.
Therefore, the signs of osteochondrosis include discomfort in different parts of the body, accompanied by pain. Painful sensations can concentrate in the neck, shoulders, back, and chest. In addition to the signs described, headache, dizziness, tiredness, heartache, sensory disorders in the limbs can be added. The doctor about the localization of the pain syndrome can determine where the changes in the spine began.
Reasons for development
Among the causes of the onset of the disease include factors that adversely affect the proper nutrition of the disc and make its recovery impossible:
- prolonged stay of the body in poses that negatively affect the work of the spine (especially sitting);
- Trauma; This point applies in particular to people who practice sports that put a lot of stress on the spine (e. g. weightlifting);
- Work that involves prolonged static loads (e. g. , an assembly line worker, a hairdresser, etc. ); during such work, muscle congestion and circulatory disorders are observed.
Since the main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven load on the spine, other factors that seem unimportant at first glance can also affect human health. Carrying a bag in just one hand, the habit of sitting hunched over with your back bent, sleeping on a soft feather bed, curving your neck posture while sleeping (high pillow), uncomfortable (albeit fashionable) shoes - all of this also serves as a prerequisitefor back problems. Improper lifestyle, obesity, adolescent scoliosis can further aggravate the condition.
The risk factor includes:
- Tall people because their back muscles are poorly developed;
- anyone who leads a sedentary lifestyle;
- those who are forced to lift weights by their job;
- Long-term vibration truck driver;
- former athletes;
- those who have had similar cases of the disease in their families;
- pregnant women and menopausal women;
- the elderly;
- Smoker.
How to diagnose a disease
If the patient discovers the above symptoms, they should come to the local therapist who will refer the patient to a neurologist. To clarify the diagnosis, a neuropathologist may refer the patient to a more specialized specialist - a spinal neurologist (a doctor who deals exclusively with diseases of the spine). A good chiropractor can also tell disease by feeling his back. If an inguinal hernia is suspected, a trauma surgeon is essential.
Instrumental methods are also used to make a diagnosis:
- X-ray of the spine;
- Myelography (this is a snapshot of not only bones, but also nerve endings and other structures);
- Exploring the reflexes (the infamous neuropathologist's hammer);
- CT scan;
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (the most accurate and safest diagnostic method);
- Magnetic resonance imaging (an indispensable method for the pathology of intervertebral discs).
The doctor prescribes the usual tests for the patient.
During the general analysis of blood, attention should be paid to the indicator of leukocytes and ESR. An increase in values indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. A low level of hemoglobin indicates a lack of protein food, which can directly affect the development of degenerative processes.
A general urine test shows what percentage of the mineral salts are in the body. An elevated indicator indicates a violation of the correct nutritional balance in food.
Elevated blood sugar also speaks of improper nutrition for the patient. In addition, it can be the first symptom of diabetes that leads to complications for all organs in the human body.
An 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 early stages of the disease, drug treatment is kept to a minimum. Drugs are needed to relieve the patient's condition, relieve inflammatory processes and improve metabolism. If these procedures are not enough, the doctor will prescribe blockade, that is, injections, which are very effective. Older people are prescribed drugs that do not build up in the body.
Physiotherapy complements medication well. Physiological methods include: ultrasound, the use of a magnetic field, low frequency current, laser therapy, and so on. The principle of action is aimed at expanding blood vessels and increasing blood flow. As a result, an analgesic effect is achieved, the impaired immune response is normalized.
Physiotherapy also has a beneficial effect on the spine. A properly selected exercise kit can put the most neglected patients on their feet. Under the influence of physical activity, not only the impaired functions are restored, but the general mental state of the patient is also improved. The appointment of such therapy gives the patient confidence that he can return to a full-fledged lifestyle. Such a simulator as a special treatment board has proven its worth. It is an inexpensive and effective way to restore spinal function.
The massage is based on complex metabolic processes. Thanks to him, blood and lymph circulation in the affected area improves, which promotes metabolism, relaxation of muscle tone, mobility of joints and improvement of the skin condition. Massage relieves pain, fatigue, improves the physical condition of the body.
Only a specialist should be consulted with manual therapy, as an illiterate specialist can harm the patient. Such therapy is a series of measures that can dramatically improve a person's condition. A good specialist can free the patient from functional blockages and restore the full usability of the affected organ. The impact occurs through pressure, twisting, bumping, jerking, etc.
A good result is achieved by stretching the spine. It can be underwater and dry. It is used to increase the space between the hard drives. Underwater, as the name suggests, takes place underwater, and dry - on tables with special equipment. The traction can be vertical or horizontal, depending on your posture.
Complications from ignoring the disease
It is believed that everyone has chondrosis. However, this is not a reason to ignore the problem. This is a completely harmless diagnosis. In particularly advanced cases, the disease can lead to disabilities.
If you ignore treatment, then later on there may be such complications:
- Hernia;
- Protrusion (first change in the intervertebral disc);
- Kyphosis (bumps on the back);
- Radiculitis;
- Salt deposits;
- Stroke of the spinal cord;
- Circulatory disorders;
- Paralysis of the legs.
Untreated cervical osteochondrosis can cause headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. The breast passes into intercostal neuralgia. The lumbar spine has such consequences as inflammation of the sciatic nerve, malfunctions of the genitourinary system. The main condition for the treatment of osteochondrosis is compliance with level by level, and only constant targeted efforts will give a good result.
Disease prevention
Prevention plays an important role in keeping the spine healthy. The first step is to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. This applies to dynamic and static loads. If such an opportunity presents itself, consider moving to another job the first time you have back pain. Otherwise, you need to take the necessary measures: constantly change posture, optimize the workplace, do gymnastics, or at least some exercises. Yoga classes can play a special role. This ancient Indian posture system, the so-called asanas, can help to release all 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 must be followed by anyone taking care of their back:
- You cannot lift weights with your arms outstretched; it is right to sit down and hold the load to your chest and get up with your back straight;
- You cannot carry a load in one hand; it will be right to divide its weight into two roughly equal parts;
- even if the luggage weighs a little, you need to stop regularly and rest your hands.
- the spine must be prepared for the load; Regular exercises to strengthen the back, i. e. the muscle corset, can help.
If regular exercise is not an option, more familiar walking can replace it. It is advisable to take at least 8000 steps a day, but at the same time it is necessary to maintain good posture, combine steps with correct breathing; During the walk, you can try different ways of walking: on your toes, on your heels, lifting your legs, running in a race. If there is no time for this, a short but energetic way to work is good for the body.
Swimming combines the ability to relax the vertebrae and exercise. The law of Archimedes works in water, which reduces the weight of the human body so that the muscles relax and the spine is stretched. In addition, swimming helps you keep your body in shape.
Running can also prevent illness. It should be remembered that both a lack of physical activity and its exaggeration are destructive to the spine. You need to carefully monitor the condition of your body and avoid pain.
If signs of inflammation occur, a medicated applicator can help. When the needles come into contact with the patient's skin, nerve endings become irritated, blood vessels dilate, blood flow improves, and the pain syndrome weakens. Longer exposure, up to 40 minutes, results in muscle relaxation.
Proper nutrition is one of the most effective prevention methods.
It is intended to serve several purposes:
- the fight against obesity;
- the required amount of vitamins and minerals;
- Preventing dehydration of the body;
- Slowing down destructive processes.
For the diet to achieve its goals, foods should be low in calories and contain dairy products, fish, eggs, herbs, and vegetable oils. Doctors recommend eating dishes on broth: soups, borscht, jelly, aspic. In fact, such foods contain protectors that protect the cartilage tissue. However, elderly people should approach such a diet with caution, as the fat contained in concentrated broths can clog the brain vessel.
The health of the spine is in everyone's hands. If you start doing gymnastics at the first pain, sign up for a pool, revise your diet, you can not only slow down the process of destruction of the vertebrae, but also improve the body in general. If you do not have the time or desire to lead an active lifestyle, it is necessary to follow the elementary safety rules outlined earlier in this article.