Today, experts around the world are looking for methods to combat spinal diseases. Unfortunately, severe back pain warns almost everyone past thirty. The main cause and effect relationships of pain are in various neurological diseases. The most common among them is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone needs to know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, and 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, its deformation and displacement occurs, compressing the nerves of the spinal cord.
The advanced stage of the disease brings 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 spinal muscles.
- There is numbness of the limbs.
- Headache (starting at the back of the head and then may spread to the temples and crown).
- Neck pain that worsens with movement.
- Dizziness, frequent cases of fainting.
- Colored spots, "flies" in the eyes.
- Aches and pains in the heart are felt in other organs that are located next to the heart.
- Salt deposition.
- The skin is peeling.
- The perspiration level increases / decreases.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- With spinal injury.
- With hereditary predisposition.
- Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
- In case of obesity.
- With a chronic infectious disease.
- During the course of physiological changes in the body (aging).
- With constant performance of heavy physical exertion.
- Flat foot.
External factors that cause the appearance of the disease:
- Steady slope.
- Spine curved of several 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 intervertebral disc prolapse. Therefore, if it is necessary to carry heavy objects, after squatting.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops as a result of inappropriate metabolic activity.
Main symptomatic manifestations:
- Neck and back pain.
- Feeling of muscle weakness.
- There is a crisis when turning the head.
- Frequent headaches or dizziness.
- General state of weakness.
- Constant fatigue.
Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of painful 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, to avoid progression, you need to "fight" faster.
Complications are quite insidious. A significant change in the vertebrae is noticeable: the normalization of vascular blood supply to the brain is disrupted, which leads to migraine. If an advanced stage is observed, the spinal cord is compressed, as a result - death. Therefore, what is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment is important for everyone to know to avoid 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 bodies. Osteochondrosis of the thorax leads to a failure of the activity cycle of the heart, as well as the stomach and lungs. The main symptomatic signs are:
- Pain in shoulder blades, abdomen, chest, heart.
- There is a tight feeling in the chest.
- There may be signs of indigestion or bloating.
- Dormant members.
- "Goosebumps" on the skin.
Basically, the increase in pain occurs at night, especially when walking, coughing. An attack of fear of death can manifest itself over and over again.
If timely treatment is not carried out, the disease can cause not only various 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 lower back. It can intensify after super-cooling of the human body or due to physical overload. The signs of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:
- Pain in the lower back, "radiating" downwards (the nature of the pain is painful).
- "Shots".
- "Poles" on the legs.
Underlying predisposing causes:
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Significant deviations in the musculoskeletal system (bent of the legs, flat feet).
- Improper diet, stress, lack of sleep.
Lumbar osteochondrosis brings quite serious complications:
- The spinal cord is affected.
- "Ponytail" Syndrome.
- Possible paralysis of limbs.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Many people who know first-hand what osteochondrosis pain is, ask the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Specialists from world-famous specialized clinics guarantee that in the early stages of osteochondrosis, it is possible not only to cure, but also to completely restore the functioning of the spine. In the case of late seeking help, in stages 3-4 of the disease, the doctor can only slightly improve the well-being of the patient. 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? " - This is the first question that patients ask the doctor. Today it is possible to cure osteochondrosis in three ways: medication, surgery, physiotherapy. If you've been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, home treatment may have additional benefits. Therefore, 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 medications that relieve inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointment, gel, cream.
A positive result brings a complex treatment. Therefore, if the patient has osteochondrosis, the medications should not be of the drug-only type. It is also necessary to resort to physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnet, etc. As they say: conscious, then armed - a real confirmation that everyone should know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, treatment.
What is corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis
Every patient should know what corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis is - one of the effective restorative therapies. Make sure you adhere to the basics: regularity and proper execution. After all, irregularity can be harmful and even worsen the situation. And when done correctly, you will feel:
- Elimination of pain and spasms.
- Restoration of spinal mobility.
- 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.
- Spinal traction.
- Self-massage.