Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the spine. With their progression, there is degeneration and dystrophy of the intervertebral discs located between the vertebrae, then the tissues of the vertebrae are affected.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by pain syndromes in the neck, back 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, there is a dysfunction of the organs adjacent to the painful areas: often the adjacent organs are compressed and displaced. If treatment is not started on time, the disease progresses and can lead to 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 the vertebrae to shift.
The main cause of the disease is an uneven tension in the spine. This leads to deformation of the cartilage structure in the areas of the spine that are exposed to strong physical pressure. Factors in the development of osteochondrosis are also:
- incorrect posture (bending over);
- weak back muscles;
- rachiocampsis;
- carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- genetic predisposition;
- Metabolic disorders, vitamin and mineral deficiencies;
- exposure to infectious diseases;
- negative effects of chemicals;
- Stressful situations, nervous disorders;
- hypothermia of the body;
- hormonal changes;
- spinal injury;
- high intensity sports;
- sudden changes in posture.
A prerequisite for the occurrence of osteochondrosis can be unfavorable climatic factors that negatively affect people prone to meteorological dependence.
Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis during remission
During remission of osteochondrosis, slight pain occurs only in uncomfortable positions of the body. The pain is aggravated by bending over, jumping, sharp turns of the torso or head, and getting out of bed abruptly. Usually it is worth changing the position and the pain stops.
During the period of remission, there are no symptoms of the disease associated with root irritation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation
With 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 on the neck and vertex is significantly reduced, the disease is accompanied by acute pain in the cervical region. In addition, the pain syndrome is felt in the fingertips, descending through the shoulder joint. When squeezing the vertebral artery, the following symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear:
- nausea;
- Dizziness;
- flies and darkening of the eyes;
- severe pain in the head;
- Tinnitus, hearing loss.
Symptoms of inflammation of the disease in the lumbar region arise due to compression of the spinal root. Depending on the area of \u200b\u200bthe bruise, signs of exacerbation are distinguished:
- pain in the leg and groin;
- decreased sensitivity in the legs and groins;
- lower back shootings;
- Fecal and urinary incontinence may occur;
- menstrual irregularities in women;
- in men, a decrease in potency;
- muscle 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 known as feigning. During an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients often believe they have aggravated gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, or angina pectoris.
The main signs of inflammation are severe pain in the back, sides and chest. Pain syndromes persist for a long time and come on sharply, intensifying during movement.
Coughing and breathing difficulties may also occur. Often there is a feeling of heart pain, pain in the arm.
Drug treatment of inflammation of osteochondrosis
At the beginning of the disease, medication can be dispensed with. It is enough to use applicators, conduct exercise therapy and reduce the load on the spine. If symptoms worsen, medication should be used.
Treatment of inflammation with drugs is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, pain and the increase in metabolic processes. Since osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that affects many organs, its treatment should be comprehensive. For the treatment of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation, the following drugs are recommended:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Relieves pain and inflammation. Used in the form of ointments, creams, tablets, injections.
- vasodilators. The drugs are vasodilators. Muscle stress and pain lead to vasoconstriction.
- muscle relaxants. The drugs are used to relax the muscles. They relax and soothe muscles, normalize blood circulation, relieve pain.
- chondroprotectors. The medication should be taken over a longer period of time. A positive result can be felt in about six months.
- tranquilizers. If the pain persists, a depressive state may occur. Valerian, motherwort, antidepressants are used as sedatives.
- vitamin and mineral complexes. It is very important to take B vitamins, which restore the sensitivity of nerve endings.
- For general strengthening of the body, multivitamin complexes are prescribed.