Osteochondrosis of the spine

Osteochondrosis is a dangerous chronic disease.Risk category: people over 40 years old.But the disease can manifest itself earlier.Recently, the first symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed in the age group of 20-30 years.There are also previous cases of the disease manifesting.

How does osteochondrosis develop?

Depending on individual development, the human spine has 33-34 vertebrae.The special structure (S-shape, separation of the vertebrae by intervertebral discs) makes the spine elastic and capable of assuming different positions.The spine is connected by intervertebral discs (21-25 pieces).In the center of the disk is a semi-liquid core.It is surrounded by a fibrous ring.Cartilaginous endplates are located above and below the disc.

As the disease progresses, metabolic processes are disrupted.As a result of poor circulation, the intervertebral discs dry out.This is the first stage of the disease.As the pathology develops, the fibrous ring cannot withstand the full load and becomes deformed.Then it can rupture and form an intervertebral hernia.As a result, spinal mobility decreases and disc displacement may occur.

Causes of osteochondrosis

For proper functioning, the spine needs constant moderate load.Intense overexertion or improper pressure distribution can cause significant damage to the spine.The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis can be divided into external and internal.

Internal causes of the disease:

• genetic predisposition;
• disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
• overweight, obesity;
• age-related changes;
• poor posture, curvature of the spine;
• flat feet.

External factors include:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• sudden and large movements;
• incorrect body position when carrying and lifting heavy objects;
• high load on the spine during sports or a certain type of activity;
• injuries to any part of the spine;
• poorly organized sleeping place, including sleeping on a soft mattress and high pillow;
• walk in high-heeled shoes;
• smoking;
• vibration effects on the body, for example, drivers of heavy equipment;
• hypothermia.

Active sports do not always promote spinal health.The disease often develops in gymnasts and weightlifters due to excessive exercise.People of certain professions are at risk - loaders and builders.

Types of osteochondrosis

Depending on which part of the spine is affected, osteochondrosis is classified into the following types:

1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.The most common pathology.The reason is great stress on the sacrum and lower back.
2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.It develops due to inadequate load on the cervical spine.Blood circulation to the brain and the functioning of the thyroid gland are disrupted.
3. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.It is not as common as the first two.In the thoracic region, the discs are not as active and the muscular corset is stronger.Difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are more similar to heart disease.
4. Common osteochondrosis.In this case, the pathology affects not one part of the spine, but several at once.

Osteochondrosis symptoms

Depending on which part of the spine the disease is localized, various symptoms of osteochondrosis are observed.

In the case of lumbar osteochondrosis, the patient observes the following signs of the disease:

• pain of various types in the lower back;
• piercing pain radiating to the legs and buttocks;
• movement disorders.Changing body position, bending over or turning around causes severe pain in the lower back.Therefore, the person tries to maintain the same posture;
• loss of sensation in the legs.This happens due to compressed nerve roots and endings.

The main symptoms of cervical spine pathology:

• neck pain, especially at night;
• clicking when moving the neck;
• headaches, especially in the back of the neck;
• pain, numbness in the shoulders and chest;
• visual impairment;
• noise, ringing in the ears, feeling of stuffiness;
• dizziness with sudden changes in neck position.

The main signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• thoracic neuralgia, feeling of pain in the heart;
• intense pain in the upper thoracic region;
• difficulty breathing;
• reflex tension in the back and chest;
• feeling of cold in the upper extremities, periodic numbness, starting from the shoulders and ending with the fingers;
• increased pain at night;
• increased discomfort during hypothermia and physical activity.

Stages of osteochondrosis

In the initial phase, there is a loss of elasticity of the intervertebral discs.They shrink and swell.The patient does not feel much discomfort, except for slight stiffness in the spine after sleeping.

The transition to the next stage is indicated by the appearance of pain.The destruction of the discs continues, the fibrous ring deforms and cracks.There is stiffness in movements and sharp pain when changing the usual position.

As the third stage develops, the fibrous ring ruptures.The gelatinous content comes out.An intervertebral hernia forms.If treatment is not started at this stage, pinched roots and disability will occur.

Complications of osteochondrosis

Lack of treatment for osteochondrosis leads to various kinds of complications - radiculitis, protrusion.The most dangerous thing is the formation of an intervertebral hernia, which can compress nerve endings and lead to paralysis of the lower limbs or other parts of the body.

Further destruction of the spine can lead to the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia and blood pressure surges.Patients with osteochondrosis are at risk of developing heart attack and stroke.

Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease that leaves serious consequences for the entire body: diseases of the heart, stomach and intestines, development of intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of any part is dangerous.Lower back pain can cause diseases of the pelvic organs, which will affect a person's reproductive abilities.Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.

A herniated disc leads to compression of blood vessels.As a result, general blood circulation is disturbed.The most dangerous moment is the clamping of the vertebral artery.

Methods for diagnosing osteochondrosis

Experts identify osteochondrosis at an early stage using the following diagnostic methods:

1. MRI.MRI
2. Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
4. Laboratory research

Treatment of osteochondrosis 

It is best to treat osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic under the supervision of specialists.Currently, both conservative and surgical methods are used to treat osteochondrosis. 

Each patient undergoes individual therapy.When selecting a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account the degree of destruction of intervertebral discs, in which part of the spine the pathology develops, the patient's age, the presence of other concomitant diseases, etc.The treatment regimen is designed for an average of no more than 1.5 months.Procedures are carried out 2 to 3 times a week.After the first 7 days of treatment, the pain syndrome is blocked.The standard course of therapy consists of the following procedures:

• UHF resonance wave therapy.Resonance wave therapy is a method of therapeutic effects on the body's aquatic environment with low-intensity, high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
• Chondroprotector injections.Intra-articular injections are an effective method of treating various diseases of the musculoskeletal system by introducing a medication (chondroprotector) into the affected joint.
• Rehabilitation in special simulators.Treatment of the spine and joints with the help of a simulator will restore limb mobility in a short period of time without expensive treatment in specialized sanatoriums.
• Blocking of joints and spine.Joint block is a type of drug treatment of the spine and joints that aims to relieve acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Drug treatment.Drug treatment of joints and spine is widely used and in combination with physiotherapy.Intra-articular injections, blocks and droppers.

Treatment of osteochondrosis helps to achieve the following

• allows you to relieve pain and neutralize inflammation;
• improves the nutrition of intervertebral discs;
• stops the destruction of discs, restores their structure;
• releases compressed nerve roots;
• relaxes tense muscles;
• returns flexibility to the spine;
• prevents the appearance of protrusions and hernias;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• corrects and strengthens the muscular corset;
• straightens posture;
• normalizes metabolism.

After completing the course of therapy, the doctor gives the patient a manual with a set of exercises that must be performed independently at home.The specialist will explain in detail how to change your usual lifestyle to prevent the disease from returning.

Prevention

To maintain a healthy spine, follow these rules:

• do swimming, yoga, race walking, physical fitness;
• When sitting in front of the computer or at the table, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed;
• choose chairs and armchairs that support the spine;
• every 2 hours or so, take breaks from work, walk, tilt your head and torso in different directions;
• when lifting weights, keep your back straight, squat and do not make sudden movements;
• do not carry heavy objects in front of you;
• when exercising on a new simulator, ask the trainer how to exercise correctly;
• choose shoes with shock-absorbing soles for sports;
• sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
• do abdominal exercises.

Nutrition for osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis, it is recommended to eat small portions 6 times a day.In your diet, follow the following principles:

• include dairy products and lean meats in your diet - beef, rabbit, chicken;
• limit the consumption of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths;
• eat jelly, meat with jelly, fish with jelly.With them you get chondoprotectors - substances that are involved in the synthesis of cartilaginous tissue;
• drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
• eat fresh fruits and vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
• give preference to cooked or steamed dishes;
• eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados and raw spinach more often;
• season the salad with olive oil;
• prepare dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals;
• try to eat salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar and hot spices less often.