Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the spine. With its progression, degeneration and dystrophy of the discs located between the vertebrae occur, then the tissues of the vertebrae are affected.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by pain syndromes in the cervical, spinal and lumbar regions. In a neglected form, pain sensations appear in the upper and lower extremities, chest and shoulders. Then muscle atrophy begins, their sensitivity is lost, dysfunction of the organs adjacent to the painful areas occurs - quite often, the adjacent organs are compressed and displaced. If timely treatment is not started, the disease progresses and can cause disability.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis.
The most common reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are severe hypothermia of the body, excessive physical exertion, sharp turns that cause displacement of the vertebrae.
The main cause of the disease is considered to be uneven stress on the spine. As a result, in the areas of the spine that are subjected to strong physical pressure, deformation of the cartilage structure is formed. Factors in the development of osteochondrosis are also:
- incorrect body position (stooping);
- weak back muscles;
- rachiocampsis;
- carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- genetic predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins and minerals;
- exposure to infectious diseases;
- negative impact of chemicals;
- stressful situations, nervous disorders;
- hypothermia of the body;
- hormonal changes;
- spinal injury;
- high intensity sports;
- Sudden changes in body posture.
A prerequisite for the occurrence of osteochondrosis may be adverse weather factors that negatively affect people prone to weather dependence.
Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis during remission.
During the remission of osteochondrosis, pain of a mild nature occurs only in awkward positions of the body. The pain is aggravated by bending, jumping, sharply turning the torso or head, getting up sharply from the bed. Usually it is worth changing the position, and the pain goes away.
During the remission period, there are no disease symptoms associated with root irritation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation.
During an exacerbation of the disease, the symptoms differ from each other depending on the site of inflammation. With an exacerbation of the cervical region, the sensitivity of the skin in the neck and crown is significantly reduced, the disease is accompanied by acute pain in the cervical area. Also, the pain syndrome is felt at the tips of the fingers, descending through the shoulder joint. When squeezing the vertebral artery, the following symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- flies and darkening in the eyes;
- severe pain in the head;
- tinnitus, hearing loss.
Symptoms of inflammation of the disease in the lumbar region arise from compression of the root of the spinal cord. Depending on the area of compression, signs of exacerbation are distinguished:
- leg and groin pain;
- decreased sensation in the legs and groin;
- shots in the lower back;
- fecal and urinary incontinence may occur;
- in women, menstrual irregularities;
- in men, a decrease in potency;
- muscular atrophy.
Signs of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often confused with diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs. These symptoms are also called faking. During an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients often believe that they have exacerbated gastritis, peptic ulcer, or angina pectoris.
The main signs of inflammation are severe pain in the back, sides, and chest area. Pain syndromes persist for a long time and appear acutely and become stronger during movement.
In addition, cough and shortness of breath may occur. Often there is a feeling of pain in the heart, pain in the arm.
Pharmacological treatment of inflammation of osteochondrosis.
At the beginning of the disease, you can do without drugs. It is enough to use applicators, exercise therapy, reduce the load on the spine. If symptoms worsen, medications should be used.
Treatment of inflammation with drugs is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, pain, and increasing metabolic processes. Since osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that negatively affects many organs, its treatment must be comprehensive. For the treatment of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation, the following drugs are recommended:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Relieves pain and inflammation. It is used in the form of ointments, creams, tablets, injections.
- Vasodilators. The drugs are vasodilators. Muscle stress and pain lead to vasoconstriction.
- Muscle relaxants. Drugs serve to relax the muscles. They relax and calm the muscles, normalize blood circulation, relieve pain.
- Chondroprotectors. Medications must be taken for a long time. A positive result is felt in about six months.
- sedatives. With prolonged pain, a depressive state may occur. Valerian, motherwort, antidepressants are used as sedatives.
- Complexes of vitamins and minerals. It is very important to take B vitamins, which restore the sensitivity of the nerve endings.
- For the general strengthening of the body, multivitamin complexes are prescribed.