Today, specialists around the world are looking for methods to combat diseases of the spine. Unfortunately, almost everyone after thirty warns of severe back pain. The main cause-effect relationships of pain are found in various neurological diseases. The most common among them is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone needs to know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, as well as treatment.
What is osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis not only negatively affects the spine itself, but also affects its tissues and intervertebral discs. They "squeeze" and gradually lose their elasticity. Therefore, their deformation and displacement occurs, pinching the nerves in the spinal cord.
The advanced stage of the disease brings with it serious complications, which later lead to disability. Therefore, osteochondrosis is a serious disease, the symptoms of which everyone must know:
- Cutting and lancinating pains in the muscles of the spine.
- There is numbness of the limbs.
- Headache (starting at the back of the head, then spreading to the temples and crown).
- Pain in the neck that gets worse with movement.
- Dizziness, frequent fainting spells.
- Colored spots, "flies" in the eyes.
- Heart pain and pain are felt in other organs that are adjacent to the heart.
- separation of salts.
- The skin flakes off.
- Sweat level increases/decreases.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- With spinal injury.
- With hereditary disposition.
- Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
- For obesity.
- With a contagious chronic disease.
- In 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 bending over.
- Curved spine to varying degrees.
- lift weight.
- inactive lifestyle.
- Frequent stress.
- hormonal disorders.
- During strength training.
Osteochondrosis most often affects older people. Many people are not even aware that lifting heavy objects leads to a herniated disc. Therefore, if it is necessary to take heavy objects with you, then after crouching.
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.
- It creaks when you turn your head.
- Frequent headaches or dizziness.
- General state of weakness.
- Constant tiredness.
Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of an aching pain that spreads to the back of the head. Often this disease causes deterioration not only in vision, but also in heart and lung function. Therefore, to prevent progression, you must "fight" faster.
Complications are quite insidious. A clear change in the vertebrae is noticeable: the normalization of the vascular blood supply in the brain is disturbed, which leads to migraines. If an advanced stage is observed, the spinal cord will be compressed, resulting in death. Therefore, it is important for everyone to know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms in order to avoid serious consequences.
Osteochondrosis of the chest region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common. There are many nerve endings in the chest region. They are responsible for normalizing the activities of other organs. Osteochondrosis of the chest leads to 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 tension in the chest.
- There may be signs of indigestion or gas.
- numbness of the limbs.
- "Goosebumps" on the skin.
Basically, the pain intensification occurs at night, especially when walking, coughing. An attack of fear of death can manifest again and again.
If not treated on time, the disease can cause not only a number of complications, but also disability. Complications include:
- protrusion of the thoracic spine.
- compression of the spinal cord.
- 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 may intensify after the human body becomes hypothermic or due to physical overload. The signs of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:
- Pain in the lumbar spine that "radiates" downward (the nature of the pain is painful).
- "shots".
- "Poland" in the legs.
Predisposing causes:
- inactive lifestyle.
- hormonal disorders.
- Significant deviations in the musculoskeletal system (curvature of the legs, flat feet).
- Bad diet, stress, lack of sleep.
Lumbar osteochondrosis entails quite serious complications:
- The spinal cord is affected.
- Syndrome "ponytail".
- Possible paralysis of the limbs.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Knowing firsthand what osteochondrosis pain is, many people ask themselves the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Specialists of world-famous special clinics assure that in the first stages of osteochondrosis it is possible not only to cure, but also to fully restore the function of the spine. Belatedly seeking help at stages 3-4 of the disease, the doctor can ensure the patient's well-beingimprove only slightly. After all, this disease forms bone overgrowths, as a result of which 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 have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, then home treatment can bring additional benefits. So it shouldthe load on the spine is reduced to "no", bed rest is maintained and the soft mattress is replaced with a hard one. Doctors prescribe medications that reduce inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointment, gel, cream.
A positive result will bring complex treatment. Therefore, if the patient has osteochondrosis, the drugs should not be just drug type. It is also necessary to resort to physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnet, etc. As they say: conscious, then armed - a real affirmation that everyone should know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, treatment.
What is corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis?
Every patient should know what is corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis - 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 if you did it right, 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.
Those who suffer from osteochondrosis should exercise regularly. In addition, the following activities are recommended:
- Morning and work gymnastics.
- LFK complex.
- To swim.
- traction of the spine.
- self massage.