What is osteochondrosis, causes and symptoms, treatment

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

back pain with osteochondrosis

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis has a negative effect not only on the spine itself, but also affects its intervertebral tissues and discs. They "crush" and gradually lose their elasticity. Thus, their deformation and displacement occur, thereby pinching the nerves in the spinal cord.

Further stages of the disease lead to serious complications, which then lead to disability. Therefore, a serious disease is osteochondrosis, a symptom that everyone should be aware of:

  • Cutting and shooting pain in the spinal muscles.
  • There is numbness in the limbs.
  • Headache (starting from the back of the head, and then can spread to the temples and crown).
  • Pain in the neck that gets worse with movement.
  • Dizziness, frequent fainting.
  • Colored spots, "flies" in the eyes.
  • Pain and heartache are felt in other organs located next to the heart.
  • Salt deposition.
  • The skin peels off.
  • Sweating levels increase / decrease.

Causes of osteochondrosis:

  • With a spinal cord injury.
  • With hereditary tendencies.
  • Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
  • In case of obesity.
  • With chronic infectious diseases.
  • During physiological changes in the body (aging).
  • With the constant performance of strenuous physical exercise.
  • Flat feet.

External factors that provoke the appearance of the disease:

  • The crouch continued.
  • The spine is curved to varying degrees.
  • Weight lifting.
  • Inactive lifestyle.
  • Frequent stress.
  • Hormonal disorders.
  • During strength training.

Osteochondrosis most often affects the elderly. Many people do not realize that lifting heavy objects leads to intervertebral disc prolapse. Therefore, if necessary take a heavy object, then after squatting.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

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

Manifestations of the main symptoms:

  • Pain in the neck and back of the head.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • There is dryness when dizziness.
  • Frequent headache or dizziness.
  • The general state of weakness.
  • Persistent fatigue.

Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of a painful pain, spreading to the back of the head. Often the disease causes a deterioration not only in vision, but also in heart and lung function. Therefore, to avoid progression, you need to "fight" faster.

Complications are rather dangerous. Significant changes in the vertebrae are noticeable: the normalization of vascular blood supply in the brain is disrupted, leading to migraines. If further stages are observed, then the spinal cord is compressed, as a result - death. Therefore, what is osteochondrosis, 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 area. They are responsible for normalizing the activity of other organs. Chest osteochondrosis leads to failure of the activity cycle of the heart, as well as the stomach and lungs. The main symptoms are:

  • Pain in the shoulder blades, abdomen, chest, heart.
  • Feeling tight in the chest.
  • There may be signs of indigestion or bloating.
  • Numb limbs.
  • "Goosebumps" on the skin.

Basically, an increase in pain occurs at night, especially during walking, coughing. Attacks of fear of death may repeatedly appear on their own.

thoracic spine and osteochondrosis

If timely treatment is not taken, the disease can cause not only several complications, but also deformities. Complications include:

  • Protrusion of the thoracic spine.
  • Spinal cord compression.
  • Violation 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 can become stronger after the human body is cooled or due to excessive physical load. The symptoms of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:

  • Pain in the lumbar region, "radiating" downwards (the nature of the pain is pain).
  • "Shots".
  • "Pole" at the foot.

Predisposition of the underlying cause:

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

Lumbar osteochondrosis carries rather serious complications:

  • The spinal cord is affected.
  • "Horse's tail" syndrome.
  • Possible limb paralysis.

How to treat osteochondrosis

Many people who know firsthand what is osteochondrosis pain, ask the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". World -renowned specialized clinicians assure that in the first stages of osteochondrosis, it is possible not only to cure, but also to fully restore spinal function. In case of late getting help, at stage 3-4 of the disease, the doctor can only slightly improve the well-being of the patient. After all, the disease forms bone growth, as a result, the shape of the spine changes. Positive changes can be observed only with surgical intervention.

"How to treat it? " - This is the first question a patient asks a doctor. Today it is possible to cure osteochondrosis in three ways: medication, surgery, physiotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, home treatment may provide additional benefits. So, the load on the spine should be reduced to "no", adhere to sleep rest, and replace a soft mattress with a hard surface. Doctors prescribe medications that relieve inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointments, gels, creams.

Positive results lead to complex treatment. Therefore, if a patient has osteochondrosis, the drugs are not the only ones of the drug type. It is also necessary to use physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnets, etc. As they say: conscious, then armed - a true confirmation that everyone should know what is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment.

What is corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis

Every patient should know what corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis - one of the effective rehabilitation therapies. Make sure you adhere to the basic principles: orderliness and proper execution. After all, malpractice can be detrimental and even worsen the situation. And when done right, you will feel:

  • Elimination of pain and cramps.
  • Restoration of spinal column mobility.
  • Strengthens weak 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 gymnastics and industry.
  • LFK Complex.
  • Swim.
  • Spinal traction.
  • Massage yourself.