Osteochondrosis is a degenerative damage to the intervertebral discs and joint tissues.In medicine, this term is usually used to denote a complex of processes occurring specifically in the intervertebral discs.Changes in the vertebral bodies themselves are an adaptive mechanism.This may also include a limitation of mobility.Which becomes noticeable with age.
Osteochondrosis can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar.Elderly people suffer more often from this disease.But today this disease often occurs in young people.This is due to a sedentary lifestyle and bad habits: school, computers, cars, overweight, smoking, alcohol, etc.Today's children prefer the computer instead of playing outside.In this regard, insufficiently developed musculature, poor "nutrition" of the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.This also includes modern food products: sweets, carbonated foods, various fast foods, stress, neuroses, etc.According to statistics, osteochondrosis affects about 80% of the world's working population.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a change in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.As a result, the discs lose their elasticity, shape, percentage of moisture and over time lose their function: ensuring mobility of the spine, absorbing shocks when lifting heavy objects or other loads.The normal ratio between discs and vertebrae is disturbed.The spine becomes smaller, stability is impaired, spasms of certain muscle groups are possible.Although the latter sometimes acts as a cause rather than an effect.In advanced cases, nerve endings are compressed.Hence the pain.
I would like to go ahead and say that today there is no definite answer about the causes of osteochondrosis.This is believed to be influenced by a very large number of factors, which will be discussed further.If the doctor's recommendations are not followed, osteochondrosis can cause protrusions (bulging of part of the disc) as well as herniation (protrusion of part of the disc with rupture of the annulus fibrosus).In the latter case, the contents of the disc enter the spinal canal.Subsequently, the body tries to adapt to the changes and bone tissue begins to grow to limit the mobility of the affected areas.One cannot bend/unfold like before.
Causes of osteochondrosis
There are many reasons for the development of osteochondrosis:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Incorrect posture (kyphosis, scoliosis, etc.);
- Unbalanced diet;
- Constant stress and neuroses;
- Past infections, viruses and diseases;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Hidden infection;
- overweight;
- Constant load.This also includes sedentary occupations;
- Wearing poor quality or uncomfortable shoes;
- Weak muscular frame;
- Weak immunity;
- Hormonal changes or use of replacement therapy;
- Side effects of some drugs;
- injuries;
- Lack of vitamins and trace elements;
- Heredity;
- 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 movements, numbness in the fingers, tingling in the ears or other artifacts.When the artery is pressed, a throbbing headache, dizziness, deterioration of hearing, vision, etc. appear.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 sharp or painful, discomfort in the lower back, numbness in the legs, numbness, loss of sensitivity, disorders of the internal organs of the small pelvis.
During periods of remission, acute pain subsides, but lingering pain or discomfort persists.It becomes more pronounced after physical exertion, heavy lifting or severe stress.Depending on the location and stage, as well as other concomitant diseases, the symptoms may vary.That's why it's important to undergo a comprehensive examination.Pain in the lower back can be caused by diseases of the reproductive and urinary systems.
Osteochondrosis and the nervous system
Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae can lead to compression of nerve roots and blood vessels.This affects not only well-being, but also memory, vision, hearing, the central nervous system and the functioning of internal organs.
The main symptoms of a disease of the nervous system:
- Bad sleep;
- irritability;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- chills or fever;
- Loss of strength;
- laziness;
- Changes in blood pressure;
- Headache.
It is worth noting that such symptoms can be a manifestation of neurosis or depression.In this case, it is imperative to contact not only a neurologist, but also a psychotherapist.
Diagnosis
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: tests, MRI or X-ray.After receiving the results, 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, stress response, activity, work, nutrition, physical activity, etc.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Depending on the stage of the disease, the pain is first relieved with the help of:
- Muscle relaxants;
- Pain relievers;
- Chondroprotectors (depending on the symptoms);
- vitamins;
- vasodilators;
- Medicines to normalize metabolic processes.
Physiotherapy is then prescribed to strengthen the muscle corset;diet, daily regime, mattress and pillow are recommended.Thanks to exercise therapy, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved.In some cases, breathing practices have been shown to have a positive effect not only on 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.
Auxiliary methods
- Massage;
- Manual therapy;
- Physiotherapy (electrophoresis);
- Traction (not suitable for everyone and not always);
- Reflexology.
Prevention and prognosis
It is important to understand that everything you did before led you to the disease.It is necessary to slowly and gradually change your lifestyle towards health: eat right, do exercises, move more (walking is natural from a physiological point of view), relax in nature, avoid or learn to cope with stress (psychotherapist or meditative practices), reduce excess weight, monitor your posture.If possible, change your place of work or type of activity, remove harmful foods: fast food, smoked meat, canned goods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, smoking, strong coffee, fatty foods, etc.Pay attention to fruits, vegetables, herbs.
Treat your health right;as a rule, it is a non-renewable resource.Slowly and gradually the disease can be stopped or completely eliminated.