Spinal osteochondrosis - symptoms and treatment, causes, everything has been said, retold. That this is not a disease, but the aging of the body, even though it is stronger than concrete, also wears out, gives cracks. Unfortunately, this process of destruction, like old age, cannot be avoided, only slowed down. Most importantly, there are no rejuvenating pills, potions, powders, apples for osteochondrosis. It is easier to understand, this is a fee, because we live, walk, do some stupid movements, sit, sleep. He cannot perform his duties with full force, as in youth. By the way, about young people, why do they have chondrosis? Here's a quick look at 21st century disease. Let's define the important functions of the spine. Let's find out the reasons for the main complications in young people and those in the years. We will discuss the disease diagnosis and treatment methods. Let's clarify the basics of prevention and how to save us from rapid aging.
Important column functions
We must not forget that our spine has 3 main functions.
- Pivot - keeps the body erect.
- Protector - protects the spinal cord.
- Cushioning - ligaments, cartilages soften the most varied movements of our body.
The spine absorbs any load in all areas, thanks to the unique intervertebral discs that are located in the structure of the spine.
The concept of the word "osteochondrosis"
The term "osteochondrosis" is used only in Russia, in the West they abandoned this name and instead use the concept of "degenerative disease of the intervertebral disc or cartilage, it can also be called that". This definition reflects the essence of what happens on the records.
Result: if osteochondrosis - degeneration (dystrophy) of the intervertebral cartilage from primitive movements. The conclusion of this definition is as follows: dystrophy - a violation of tissue nutrition, and degeneration is a change in tissue for the worse.
Even understanding the meaning of these words, it is clear what is happening in the spine and where the popular disease "osteochondrosis" comes from. In fact, what kind of disease is this? Simple - premature aging.
Degeneration has four stages and stages of development, it develops in all three departments. Osteochondrosis happens:
cervical- ; chest
- ;
- lumbar.
Tissue malnutrition
Tissues are nourished by the enormous circulatory system. Arteries, veins, vessels and capillaries, as well as muscle tissue, are all actively involved in the nutrition process. Along with the blood, important nutrients are transported to the vertebrae, cartilage and muscles, as they contract, they help the blood to move at the right speed.
The discs, without blood vessels, suck water and nutrients when the vertebrae relax. And when you press them, the same segments, on the contrary, deliver the excess. It so happens that during the amortization of the spine, due to compression and expansion, the discs are saturated and cleaned by the osmosis method. The more frequently osmosis occurs, the more satisfying and well-nourished they are.
It is the muscles that surround the vertebrae in the back that perform the movement process. It is not difficult to imagine if the muscles around the spine are not very mobile, blood circulation is slow and the complete metabolism is impaired. Cartilage suffers from lack of nutrition and cannot be elastic and strong, the same dystrophy of the spine develops.
In the early stages of dystrophy, the incorporation of regular athletic movements into life can still be corrected quickly. The younger generation hopes for a complete cure.
What happens next? For a long time, being in a state of rest, the muscles weaken, the ligaments stretch and atrophy to the point that they cannot keep the spine even anatomical, several types of curvature appear:
- lordosis; kyphosis;
- scoliosis.
Discs that do not receive the necessary nutrition from the circulatory system for a long time and a sufficient amount of liquid for a complete existence begin to collapse. That is, degeneration occurs, a slow modification (destruction). A diagnosis is made - "Osteochondrosis" with all symptoms and long-term treatment with drugs that are not very effective without exercise therapy.
The fact is that the core of the cartilage, which is 80% water, where it is the water that gives it elasticity, loses elasticity by nature with aging, and a sedentary lifestyle accelerates this process. Therefore, the power of the disc decreases, less water flows and it gets thinner in height. But water and useful elements are needed not only for the disc, but for all the components around it:
tendons- ;
- muscles;
- fascia;
- connections.
But in old age, due to slow blood circulation, part of the capillaries is still dry, because for decades they were not needed, the osteochondrosis process takes root. At that age, it takes effort to be in shape.
Osteochondrosis is a complex of dystrophic disorders in the cartilage and segments. Most of the time, the intervertebral lining is affected, but it also develops in the joints, except that it has different names - arthrosis, arthritis (how these diseases differ here), coxarthrosis and many other pathologies.
Symptoms and treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
Reasons
There are external and internal causes of osteochondrosis, which can cause damage.
- Inmates include genetics, nutritional tissue disorders at a young age (this was discussed above), nervous tensions that spasm the muscles and remain in that state for a long time, or perhaps forever, forming trigger points.
- For external (trauma, low physical activity and excessive physical activity).
The obvious reasons for internal and external factors cannot be disputed, except for old age. People go to the aging of the musculoskeletal system thanks to their laziness, from the moment they become independent. Realizing the benefits of morning exercise, of a healthy lifestyle, at least partially, we deliberately use any excuses, excuses for doing nothing. I don't hide, I was like that myself.
Complications
Dystrophic changes in the intervertebral disc alone are not a big problem. Many live long, do not go to the doctor, because they are not very concerned with the complications of osteochondrosis. But due to several reasons, severe pain often appears. After visiting a doctor, a person receives a lot of complications identified after the exam, such as protrusion, hernia, spondylosis (osteophyte) and spinal instability.
These complications are believed to cause painful symptoms when compression occurs at the nerve endings at the level of the disc in any part of the spine. In addition to pain, there may be weakness, decreased sensitivity, dysfunction of the small pelvis, increased blood pressure, in severe cases, paralysis.
- Protrusion is a slight protrusion of the fibrous ring beyond the limits of the vertebral body, due to an increase in the nucleus pulposus, sometimes cracks appear in the layers of the fibrous ring.
- A herniated disc is a loosening of the fibrous ring. Cartilage lost its elasticity and divided into parts, and the excessive burden of this condition causes it to protrude, causing a hernia. It can irritate the nerve root that emerges at the level of the spinal canal's vertebrae, so the pain occurs with localization in either area of the body.
- Osteophytes - changes in the vertebral bodies themselves, the height of the disc decreases so much that its marginal bone growths (which are called osteophytes) start their destructive activity in relation to our health. The size of the opening through which the spinal nerve exits, that is, its root, decreases.
There is also a different opinion about the appearance of discomfort and pain, forcing you to consult a specialist. Soft tissue pathologies (muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia). Everything that sets our skeleton in motion, and they are the ones that signal, about the initial problems, sending a painful impulse. Diagnostics are made - sciatica, myositis, myalgia and more, all of which are supposedly symptoms in the context of osteochondrosis of the spine and treatment is prescribed in the form of pain relievers. And then everything is repeated again, a vicious circle.
In women after 50-55 years of age, the extinction of reproductive functions begins. It enters the climacteric phase. It feels like a natural transition, what you can do here. But if you don't do hormone replacement therapy or at least dietary supplements. So osteoporosis develops quickly, which is often mistaken for osteochondrosis.
Diagnosis of spinal osteochondrosis
Self-diagnosis
- You can determine for yourself whether or not it exists. To do this, just assess how often your back hurts. How quickly she gets tired of little physical work, stress. If there is weight, discomfort, sometimes pain, then the changes are already occurring within the spine. Since a healthy person does not feel these symptoms on his back, he is simply healthy. Although there is hardly any healthy now.
- It is necessary to determine the flexibility of the column. Flexibility depends entirely on stretching. The better, the healthier the spine is.
Diagnosis in a polyclinic
At the doctor's appointment, in order to make the correct diagnosis, a referral for radiography is made. And then the proper treatment is prescribed.
Comparison layouts for healthy and sick segments. The layout shows how the vertebral disc and the segment's body are the ideal structure that nature created. The nerve endings move freely, are not compressed, the disc is high and has a large safety margin, with an intervertebral disc that a person can support up to 800 kg.
And a model deformed by the disease is shown on the side, the difference is significant. The disc is flattened, the vertebral body edges grow and acquire a distorted appearance. This is exactly the preview of the image.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Unfortunately, neglected complications cannot always be cured conservatively; generally, they should be dealt with immediately. But in any case, they are dealt with and must be dealt with in a timely manner.
Osteochondrosis that occurs at age 70 is considered the norm for people due to age, and their doctors have not healed for years. There is a different approach for young people, after the diagnosis of symptoms, the necessary treatment is prescribed.
Treatment should only be combined.
- Eliminate the pain, if any.
- Prescribe physiotherapy, reflexology, massage.
- exercise therapy.
Physiotherapy exercises, in principle, are the basis of treatment, as they help to restore the normal biomechanics of the spine. And that leads to the unloading of the intervertebral discs. Swimming is a wonderful relief. But classes start only after the pain symptoms subside.
Prevention of spinal osteochondrosis
Nowadays there are many sedentary professions for 8 hours, or even longer, and no organism can take it.
The spine is not only a support for our skeleton, but also a case for the spinal cord.
The most important organ of the central nervous system. And if the disease is neglected, you can be disabled. I don't want to scare you, but limb paralysis is very serious, I know that firsthand.
So, in case of back problems, you should not delay visiting the specialist, as it is more expensive for you. More often, you need to think about a healthy lifestyle. Cycling, swimming pool, gym, basic morning exercises and hiking. An affordable set of exercises at work to support your body physically and not be a disaster in the future.
To achieve a result, it is necessary to develop a habit, regularity and discipline are the basis of prevention. After all, you don't need much, the body thanks you, you must love it, pay attention to it and it will respond with good health. What do you think?
I hope the article was informative for you, you noticed that almost everyone has osteochondrosis of the spine, only the symptoms and the treatment are different. By studying your body more deeply, you can prevent diseases, and by studying inside, you will have something to ask your doctor.
Don't forget to share with your friends, subscribe to the update. Make sure to leave a comment.
Take care of yourself and your spine!