Today, specialists around the world are looking for methods to combat diseases of the spine. Unfortunately, severe back pain warns almost everyone after thirty. The main cause-and-effect relationships of pain lie in various neurological diseases. The most common among them is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone needs to know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, treatment.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis has a negative impact not only on the spine itself, but also affects its tissues and intervertebral discs. They "crush" and gradually lose their elasticity. Therefore, their deformation and displacement occurs, thereby pinching the nerves in the spinal cord.
The advanced stage of the disease carries serious complications, which later lead to disability. Therefore, a serious disease is osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which everyone needs to know:
- Cutting and shooting pain in the muscles of the spine.
- There is numbness of the limbs.
- Headache (starting from the back of the head, and then can spread to the temple and crown).
- Pain in the neck that gets worse with movement.
- Dizziness, frequent cases of fainting.
- Colored spots, "flies" in the eyes.
- Heart pains and pains are felt in other organs that are located next to the heart.
- Deposition of salts.
- The skin is peeling off.
- The level of perspiration increases / decreases.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- With spinal injury.
- With hereditary predisposition.
- Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
- In case of obesity.
- With an infectious chronic disease.
- During the course of physiological changes in the body (aging).
- With constant performance of heavy physical exertion.
- Flat feet.
External factors provoking the appearance of the disease:
- Constant stoop.
- Curved spine of varying degrees.
- Lifting weight.
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Frequent stress.
- Hormonal disorders.
- During strength training.
Osteochondrosis most often affects the elderly. Many people are not even aware that lifting heavy objects leads to prolapse of the intervertebral discs. Therefore, if it is necessary to take heavy objects, then after squatting down.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops as a result of improper metabolic activity.
Main symptomatic manifestations:
- Pain in the neck and back of the head.
- Feelings of muscle weakness.
- There is a crunch when turning the head.
- Frequent headaches or dizziness.
- General state of weakness.
- Constant fatigue.
Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of aching pain, spreading to the back of the head. Often this disease causes a deterioration not only in vision, but also in the functioning of the heart and lungs. Therefore, in order to prevent progression, you need to "fight" faster.
Complications are quite insidious. A significant change in the vertebrae is noticeable: the normalization of the vascular blood supply in the brain is disrupted, which leads to migraine. If an advanced stage is observed, then the spinal cord is compressed, as a result - death. Therefore, what is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment is important for everyone to know in order to prevent serious consequences.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common. There are many nerve endings in the thoracic region. They are responsible for normalizing the activities of other organs. Osteochondrosis of the chest carries a failure of the cycle of activity of the heart, as well as the stomach and lungs. The main symptomatic signs are:
- Pain in the shoulder blades, abdomen, chest, heart.
- There is a feeling of tightness in the chest.
- There may be signs of indigestion or bloating.
- Numb limbs.
- "Goosebumps" on the skin.
Basically, the increase in pain occurs at night, especially while walking, coughing. An attack of fear of death may repeatedly manifest itself.
If timely treatment is not taken, the disease can cause not only a number of complications, but also disability. Complications include:
- Protrusion of the thoracic spine.
- Spinal cord compression.
- Violations of the activity of internal organs.
- Intercostal neuralgia.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is characterized by severe pain in the lumbar region. It can intensify after the human body is supercooled or due to physical overload. The signs of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:
- Pain in the lumbar part, "radiating" down (the nature of the pain is aching).
- "Shots".
- "Poles" in the legs.
Predisposing underlying causes:
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Significant deviations in the musculoskeletal system (curvature of the legs, flat feet).
- Improper diet, stress, lack of sleep.
Lumbar osteochondrosis carries quite serious complications:
- The spinal cord is affected.
- Syndrome "horse tail".
- Possible paralysis of the limbs.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Many people who know firsthand what osteochondrosis pain is, ask the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Specialists of world-famous specialized clinics assure that in the first stages, osteochondrosis can not only be cured, but also completely restore the functioning of the spine. In the case of late seeking help, at stages 3-4 of the disease, the doctor can only slightly improve the patient's well-being. After all, this disease forms bone growths, as a result, the shape of the spine changes. Positive changes can be observed only with surgical intervention.
"How to treat it? " - This is the first question patients ask the doctor. Today it is possible to cure osteochondrosis in three ways: medication, surgery, physiotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, treatment at home may provide additional benefits. So, the load on the spine should be reduced to "no", adhere to bed rest, and replace the soft mattress with a hard surface. Doctors prescribe drugs that relieve inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointment, gel, cream.
A positive result brings complex treatment. Therefore, if the patient has osteochondrosis, the drugs should not only be of the drug type. It is also necessary to resort to physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnet, etc. As they say: aware, then armed - a true confirmation that everyone should know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, treatment.
What is corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Each patient should know what corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis is - one of the effective restorative therapies. Be sure to adhere to the basic principles: regularity and proper execution. After all, irregularity can be harmful and even worsen the condition. And when done correctly, you will feel:
- Elimination of pain and spasms.
- Restoration of the mobility of the spinal column.
- Strengthening weakened muscles.
- Normalization of microcirculation and trophism of vertebral structures.
- Compression reduction.
Anyone with osteochondrosis should exercise regularly. In addition, the following activities are recommended:
- Morning and industrial gymnastics.
- LFK complex.
- Swimming.
- Traction of the spinal column.
- Self-massage.