Causes, symptoms, treatment methods and prevention of osteochondosis

Osteochondrosis is a serious vertebral disease because it can cause serious discomfort and cause various complications.For this reason, it must be treated in a timely and properly.This can be done at home with the help of drugs, folk remedies, physical education and physiotherapeutic procedures.All medical measures must be approved by a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of complications.

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic vertebral disease (DDZP), leading to a violation of the structure of the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs.This causes a decrease in their elasticity and a change in form.For this reason, the interval between the vertebrae is considerably reduced and the instability of the spine is observed at this location.

With the pathological destruction of the tissues, pliers the nerve endings emanating from the spinal cord, which leads to constant tension of the spinal muscles.In this context, pain and other characteristic symptoms occur.Clinical signs may differ depending on the segment that has undergone degenerative disorders.The following departments are distinguished by chondrosis of the spine:

  • cervical;
  • thoracic;
  • lumbar.

If the pathological process affects several segments, this osteochondosis is polysegent.Common disorders have complicated symptoms and are much more difficult to diagnose, as areas located nearby and remotely from each other can be affected.For example, osteochondrosis of the cervix and lumbar cross.

Osteochondrosis steps

There are 4 stages of osteochondrosis:

  1. First of all.It is characterized by initial disorders in the area of the intervertebral disc.Usually, at this stage, the cartilage, an surrounding vertebra, is covered with cracks.Consequently, a reduction in light between the discs begins.
  2. The second.The fibrous ring covered with cracks is so narrowed that the ligaments and muscles of the spine begin to get in touch and rub against each other.At this point, a person can demonstrate the first painful syndrome.The second step leads to the formation of the instability of the vertebrae.
  3. The third.The cartilaginous laying between the discs occurs.Thinching is detected when making radiography and the symptoms are pronounced, which is intense.At this stage, pain syndrome can only be eliminated by using powerful drugs.
  4. Fourth.It is characterized by excessive instability of the vertebrae, because bone growths form on them - osteophytes.They hurt the nerve roots.Usually, at this stage, the symptoms calm down somewhat, but it manifests itself seasonally (exacerbation peaks occur in the fall and spring).

Reasons

Osteochondrosis is capable of developing in the context of body hypothermia, net turns that cause the vertebrae, physical effort.Experts' opinion converges that the main reason for degenerative processes in the spine is the incorrect distribution of the load on the spine.

In addition, there are many factors that lead to it:

  • weakness of the back muscles;
  • by affecting;
  • change of approach during pregnancy;
  • curvature of the spine;
  • Halterophilia;
  • active and electric sports classes;
  • be in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
  • Sitting lifestyle.

In addition, osteochondrosis can be caused by other reasons:

  • violation of metabolic processes (lack of zinc, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other useful trace elements);
  • body intoxication with chemicals;
  • genetic predisposition;
  • consequences of infectious diseases;
  • Falls, bruises;
  • hormonal violations;
  • nervous shocks;
  • Change the elasticity of the nucleus.

The differences in the development of the spine can cause degenerative and dystrophic changes.There are provocative factors such as the abnormal ossification of the child's skeleton, inadequate physical activity and rapid growth.In this case, osteochondrosis is called young or juvenile.

If it is not possible to establish the cause and time of the occurrence (at what age the degenerative -dystrophic process has developed - in adolescence or adults) the disease, then it is called not specified.

Symptoms

Osteochondrosis is capable of provoking various symptoms, because each segment of the spine is responsible for the allocation of nerve endings to different organs and systems.

All demonstrations are divided into 4 groups:

  1. Statistical symptoms are associated with a physiological violation of the form of the vertebrae.Following them, a person changes posture, the mobility of the head worsens, difficulties arise with the recovery of the spine.
  2. Neurological characteristics form in the context of damage to nervous tissues.This leads to a violation of the sensitivity of the skin and to a decrease in the intensity of muscle contractions in certain areas of the body.If at the initial stage, pain syndrome manifests locally, as the disease progresses, it begins to affect distant areas.Neurology includes manifestations such as numbness, tingling and goosebumps.With osteochondrosis, a lacega symptom is distinguished, which is differently called a symptom of tension.It is associated with excessive tension of the fibers of the sciatic nerve.It is caused by an offense to the nerves of the spine in the spine or the spasm of the glude / lumbar muscles.
  3. Possible vascular symptoms that occur in the context of the compression of blood arteries.Usually this is observed with osteochondrosis in the cervical region.In the event of alteration of blood flow in this area, an oxygen deficiency of the brain occurs, as a result of what dizziness, a feeling of nausea and changes in the sympathetic nervous system appear.The latter are characterized by prolonged cramps and chronic ischemia in the internal organs.
  4. SO Called trophic symptoms are distinguished.They are a combination of vascular and neurological disorders leading to skin defects and ulcers.

Treatment

In order to successfully cure osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out a detailed examination and to establish a precise diagnosis.First, doctors carry out an external patient examination of the patient, the collection of disease disease, after which they use laboratory and instrumental research methods.

There are 3 therapy methods:

  • medicine;
  • physiotherapeutic;
  • surgical.

A special diet, compliance with bed rest and minimizing loads on the spine is greater than the treatment of osteochondrosis.When resting, it is recommended to use a solid surface instead of a soft mattress.

At home, to treat the disease, you can use the first two methods.At the same time, it is advisable to combine them.To improve their action, you can introduce folk methods into therapy.

However, self-medication is extremely undesirable.All measures and procedures must be approved by a specialist.In osteochondrosis therapy, certain rules should be observed in the use of certain methods.

In addition, if the provision of medicinal medical care has not given results and the disease progresses, surgical treatment is prescribed.Surgical intervention is carried out to stabilize the structure of the spine, the elimination of intervertebral hernias or completely affected discs.

Drug

The drug treatment of osteochondrosis should be complete, to have a goal of stopping pain and eliminating other pronounced symptoms.To do this, use various groups of drugs:

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.They are designed to eliminate inflammatory processes and all types of pain.They also relieve the swelling of the fabrics.
  2. Sedative. They are used to stop pain syndrome, but do not affect the pathological process itself.
  3. Muscle relaxing.They are used to relieve muscle spasms in the spine, due to which the pain is significantly reduced.They act by blocking the receptors in the affected muscle fibers, as a result of which the conductivity of pulses in the spinal cord is disturbed.The effect of these drugs is short -lived, but during this period, muscle fibers manage to return the normal tone and use their own protection mechanisms of dystrophic degenerative processes.
  4. Vitamins of groups B, D, A, E, C, drugs containing phosphorus and containing calcium.Vitamins-mineral complexes are necessary for the replenishment of substances in the body involved in the formation of bone and cartilage, metabolic processes.
  5. Chondroprotectors.
  6. Vasodilatory drugs.

In the pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, doctors recommend using chondroprotectors that have a cumulative effect and affect the human body after a certain time, helping to restore the intervertebral disc.These drugs use a long time, up to 2-3 months.In addition, chondroprotectors seriously load the liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract, so they must be combined with probiotics.

Probiotics

All these groups of drugs can be used in various forms.With intense pain, injections are generally used for direct administration in the pathological area of the spine.In such cases, patients are prescribed by injections with chondroprotectors and the blocking of sop novocaine.Any means in the form of injections in the affected vertebra should only be administered by the attending physician, as it is a very difficult and dangerous procedure.Other types of pharmacological drugs are also not uncontrolled.The dosage and the treatment regime must be determined by a specialist.

With less fear, ointments and gels can be used, but in this case, there are certain restrictions.For example, warming agents of local action cannot be used during periods of exacerbation of the disease.The most popular drugs in the form of ointments, gels and creams for osteochondrosis include:

Exercise therapy

Media physical education for osteochondrosis

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, physical education (LFK) will be useful.Moderate physical activity can be affected by the musculoskeletal system.They stimulate metabolic processes, restore the mobility of the spine and strengthen the muscular corset.

The doctor must select the methodology and the therapeutic gymnastics diagram, because it is able to vary depending on the spine subjected to the pathological process.Therefore, it is desirable that the courses will take place under the control of a specialist.After controlling the program, the treatment of physiotherapy exercises can continue at home.

For example, during the diagnosis of osteochondrosis in the cervical region, the following simple exercises are recommended:

  1. Tilt your head forward and press the forehead with woven fingers.The patient should prevent pressure.A similar exercise is then carried out, acting on the occipital part, the left and right temple.
  2. Press the forehead with four fingers, as if you were the skin, for 45 seconds.The actions are carried out in different directions.This exercise is designed to restore blood circulation.
  3. Sit on a chair or a floor, keep your back straight and backward backwards.With your hands, it is necessary to gently press the chin up and down.Then make the head from the head to the left and right.
  4. Try to get the breast chin.In this position, you have to cross your hands on the back of your head and press it.In a stressful condition, you must linger for 1 minute, then make the shoulder movement, lift them, try to reach the ears.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

The drug treatment gives a good result if you combine it with physiotherapeutic procedures.Electromagnetic therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasonic treatment, etc.are useful for the state of the vertebrae.Some types of procedures can be done at home if you buy appropriate portable devices.Mineral waters and healing mud have beneficial effects.

In the absence of contraindications for massage, the patient can be visited by a manual therapist.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, reflexotherapy sessions can be used - the effect on certain body points.At home, you can make a self-massage.There are several techniques contributing to the elimination of pain and muscle tonic:

  • Light caressing the vertebral region with one or with both hands;
  • Crush the muscles with pinching or circular movements, with the tips of the fingertips not pushing;
  • crush the muscles with palms;
  • Simple development of trapezoidal muscles;
  • Longitudinal and coracus suspect along the massage lines;
  • Rub the gaps between the ribs.

Folk remedies

To eliminate pain, you can use the means according to folk recipes.The result of treatment with herbs and other natural compositions will only appear with their prolonged use.

Popular remedies are preferable to drugs, as the latter with long use are able to seriously harm the intestines, liver and pancreas.Therefore, it is advisable to use non -traditional medicine methods after stopping acute pain syndromes with drugs.The methods presented should be gradually replaced by drugs when the doctor is recommended.

Several effective recipes can be noted:

  1. Honey and potatoes.You should take several potatoes, crush them on a grater, add the same amount of honey.The components must be carefully mixed, put gauze and use it in the form of a compress in a painful area.The reconciliation of the application must be wrapped in a scarf and left in this position for 1 hour.
  2. Horseradish.You should take 1 sheet of plant and steam with boiling water.It must be returned inside to the painful area and attach it.The product must be fixed safely and wrapped in a scarf.The procedure must be carried out at night and withdraw the bandage - only the next morning.
  3. Hot bottle.It is necessary to take plastic containers, pour hot water, put the sofa and lie on it with your back.It is advisable to try to move the bottle under it.The procedure must be carried out for 30 minutes.
  4. Parsley.It is necessary to eat for 30 days a day 1 root of the plant.
  5. Pine.The raw materials must be collected in the spring.The length of the pine must be 2 cm.You have to rinse and dry them.The raw materials must be crushed and combined with sugar in proportions of 2: 1, then mix carefully and put in the refrigerator.The product will be ready when a rich brown shade acquires.The mixture should be consumed for 1 teaspoon.per day for 3 weeks.

When you use folk remedies, it is extremely careful to approach procedures with a warming effect.Such actions can help temporarily get rid of pain and inflammation, but are able to harm.During periods of exacerbation of the disease, any warming is prohibited because they cause vascular expansion, as a result of which swelling can occur.In such situations, you must request treatment for specialists.With osteochondrosis in the cervical region in any form, it is forbidden to warm the neck, as this can cause a strong migraine.

Prevention

Prevention of osteochondrosis

Each person must perform special measures aimed at preventing the development of osteochondrosis.The main measure of prevention is to comply with an appropriate posture during movement and in a sitting position.

It is advisable to engage in physical education, contributing to the strengthening of the musculoskeletal system and the muscular corset of the spine.

For sleep, you must choose specially designed mattress mattresses and orthopedic pillows.Their advantage is that they allow you to repeat the physiological outline of the spine.

The musculoskeletal system cannot be exposed to excessive loads.If necessary, weight lifting, you should use the right technique.

Food nutrition should be observed.The diet must be balanced, ensure the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.You cannot use a large amount of caffeine, chocolate and alcoholic drinks.Food should be rich in protein, calcium and other useful trace elements.