What is osteochondrosis, causes and symptoms, treatment

Today, experts around the world are looking for ways to combat spinal diseases. Unfortunately, severe back pain warns almost everyone after thirty. The main cause-and-effect relationships of pain occur in various neurological diseases. The most common of them is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone should know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, and treatment.

back pain with osteochondrosis

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis affects not only the spine itself, but also its tissues and intervertebral discs. They "crush" and gradually lose their elasticity. Therefore, they are deformed and displaced, thereby compressing the nerves in the spinal cord.

The advanced stage of the disease has serious complications, which then lead to disability. Therefore, a serious disease is osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which everyone should know:

  • Cutting and stabbing pain in the muscles of the spine.
  • There is a combination of limbs.
  • Headache (starting at the back of the head and then spreading to the temples and crowns).
  • Neck pain aggravated by movement.
  • Dizziness, frequent fainting.
  • Colored spots "fly" in the eyes.
  • Heart aches and pains are felt in other organs located near the heart.
  • Sedimentation of salts.
  • The skin is peeled off.
  • Sweating level increases / decreases.

Causes of osteochondrosis:

  • With spinal cord injury.
  • With a hereditary predisposition.
  • Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
  • In case of obesity.
  • With an infectious chronic disease.
  • In the course of physiological changes in the body (aging).
  • With constant performance of heavy physical load.
  • Straight legs.

External factors that provoke the appearance of the disease:

  • Constant bending.
  • Spine bent at different degrees.
  • Weight lifting.
  • Inactive lifestyle.
  • Frequent stress.
  • Hormonal disorders.
  • During strength training.

Osteochondrosis mainly affects the elderly. Many people are unaware that lifting heavy objects causes prolapse of the intervertebral discs. Therefore, if you need to take heavy objects, after squatting.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine develops as a result of improper metabolic activity.

The main symptomatic manifestations:

  • Pain in the back of the neck and head.
  • Feelings of muscle weakness.
  • There is a squeak when you turn your head.
  • Frequent headache or dizziness.
  • General weakness.
  • Constant fatigue.

Osteochondrosis of the neck is a painful pain that spreads to the back of the head. Often, this disease causes not only impaired vision, but also impaired heart and lung function. Therefore, you need to "fight" faster to prevent development.

Complications are very insidious. There is a significant change in the vertebrae: the normalization of blood supply to the blood vessels in the brain is disrupted, which leads to migraines. If an advanced stage is observed, then the spinal cord is compressed, resulting in death. Therefore, it is important for everyone to know what is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment 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 bodies. Osteochondrosis of the thorax causes disorders of the heart, as well as the functioning of the stomach and lungs. The main symptoms 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.
  • Cohesive limbs.
  • "Goose shoots" on the skin.

Increased pain mainly occurs at night, especially when walking or coughing. The fear of death attack can manifest itself repeatedly.

thoracic spine and osteochondrosis

If not treated in time, the disease can lead not only to a number of complications, but also to disability. Complications include:

  • Protrusion of the thoracic spine.
  • Compression of the spinal cord.
  • Disorders of internal organs.
  • Intercostal neuralgia.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine is characterized by severe pain in the lower back. The human body can become stronger after extreme cooling or due to physical exertion. The symptoms of this disease can be understood by symptoms:

  • Pain in the lower back, "radiation" down (the nature of the pain is painful).
  • "Shooting. "
  • "Polons" on the feet.

The main predisposing reasons are:

  • Inactive lifestyle.
  • Hormonal disorders.
  • Significant deviations in the musculoskeletal system (curvature of the legs, straight legs).
  • Wrong diet, stress, lack of sleep.

Lumbar osteochondrosis has very serious complications:

  • The spinal cord is affected.
  • "Horsetail" syndrome.
  • Possible paralysis of the limbs.

How to treat osteochondrosis

Many people who know in advance what osteochondrosis pain is ask: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Experts from world-renowned specialized clinics believe that in the early stages of osteochondrosis, it is possible not only to treat, but also to fully restore the function of the spine. If he asks for help late, in stages 3-4 of the disease, the doctor can only slightly improve the patient's well-being. After all, this disease causes bone growth, as a result of which the shape of the spine changes. Positive changes can be observed only with surgery.

"How can this be treated? " - This is the first question patients ask their doctor. Today, osteochondrosis can be treated in three ways: medication, surgery, and physiotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, home treatment can provide additional benefits. Thus, the load on the spine should be reduced to "no", bed rest should be observed and a soft mattress should be replaced with a hard surface. Doctors prescribe drugs that reduce inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointments, gels, creams.

A positive result brings a complex treatment. Therefore, if a patient has osteochondrosis, medications should not be the only type of medication. Physiotherapeutic measures should also be applied: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnetic, etc. As they say: aware, 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 is for osteochondrosis - one of the most effective restorative treatments. Make sure you follow the basic principles: regularity and proper execution. After all, disorder can be harmful and can even make matters worse. And when you do it right, you will feel:

  • Eliminate pain and spasms.
  • Restoration of spinal mobility.
  • Strengthen weakened muscles.
  • Normalization of microcirculation and trophism of spinal structures.
  • Decreased compression.

Everyone with osteochondrosis should exercise regularly. In addition, the following activities are recommended:

  • Morning and industrial gymnastics.
  • LFK complexes.
  • Swimming.
  • Tightening of the spine.
  • Self-massage.