Today, specialists all over the world are looking for methods to combat diseases of the spine. Unfortunately, severe back pain is a warning to almost everyone after their thirties. The main causal relationships of pain lie in various neurological diseases. The most common of them is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone should know what osteochondrosis is, its causes, 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, their deformation and displacement occur, thereby pinching the nerves of the spinal cord.
The advanced stage of the disease leads to serious complications, which later lead to disability. Therefore, a serious disease is osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which everyone should know:
- Cutting and throbbing pain in the muscles of the spine.
- There is numbness of the limbs.
- Headache (starting at the back of the head, then possibly spreading to the temples and crown).
- Pain in the neck that gets worse with movement.
- Dizziness, frequent cases of fainting.
- Colored spots, "flies" in the eyes.
- Heart aches and pains are felt in other organs located next to the heart.
- Deposit of salts.
- The skin peels off.
- Sweating level increases/decreases.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- With a spinal injury.
- With hereditary predisposition.
- Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
- In case of obesity.
- With a chronic infectious disease.
- During physiological changes in the body (aging).
- With a constant performance of intense physical exertion.
- Flat foot.
External factors provoking the onset of the disease:
- Steady decline.
- Curved back in varying degrees.
- Lifting weights.
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Frequent stress.
- Hormonal disorders.
- During strength training.
Osteochondrosis most often affects older people. Many people don't even know that heavy lifting causes intervertebral disc prolapse. Therefore, if it is necessary to take heavy objects, then after squatting.
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.
- Feeling of muscle weakness.
- There is a creak when turning the head.
- Frequent headaches or dizziness.
- General state of weakness.
- Constant tiredness.
Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of aching pain, spreading to the back of the head. Often this disease leads to deterioration not only in vision, but also in the functioning of the heart and lungs. Therefore, in order to prevent progression, you need to "fight" faster.
The complications are quite insidious. A significant change in the vertebrae is noticeable: the normalization of vascular blood supply in the brain is disturbed, which leads to migraine. If an advanced stage is observed, the spinal cord is compressed, which leads to death. Therefore, what is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment is important for everyone to know in order to avoid serious consequences.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common. There are many nerve endings in the chest region. They are responsible for standardizing the activities of other bodies. Osteochondrosis of the chest leads to a failure in the activity cycle 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 tightness in the chest.
- There may be signs of indigestion or bloating.
- Numb limbs.
- "Goosebumps" on the skin.
Basically, the increase in pain occurs at night, especially when walking, coughing. A fear of death attack can manifest itself repeatedly.
If timely treatment is not taken, the disease can lead not only to a number of complications, but also to 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 lumbar region. It can intensify after the human body is supercooled or due to physical overload. Signs of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:
- Pain in the lumbar part, "radiating" down (the nature of the pain is aching).
- "Blows".
- "Poles" in the legs.
Predisposing underlying causes:
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Significant deviations of the musculoskeletal system (curvature of the legs, flat feet).
- Poor diet, stress, lack of sleep.
Lumbar osteochondrosis leads to quite serious complications:
- The spinal cord is affected.
- Ponytail syndrome.
- Possible paralysis of limbs.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Many people who know firsthand what the pain of osteochondrosis is, ask the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Specialists of world-famous specialized clinics assure that in the early stages of osteochondrosis it is possible not only to cure, but also to completely restore the functioning of the spine. When seeking help late, at the 3-4 stages of the disease, the doctor can only slightly improve the patient's well-being. After all, this disease forms bony growths, which change the shape of the spine. Positive changes can be observed only with surgical intervention.
"How to treat it? " - This is the first question that patients ask the doctor. Today, it is possible to cure osteochondrosis in three ways: drugs, surgery, physiotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, home treatment may provide additional benefits. Thus, 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 entails complex treatment. Therefore, if the patient suffers from osteochondrosis, the drugs should not only be of the drug type. It is also necessary to resort to physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnet, 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 for osteochondrosis is - one of the effective restorative therapies. Be sure to respect the basic principles: regularity and good execution. After all, irregularity can be harmful and even aggravate the condition. And when done correctly, you'll feel:
- Elimination of pain and spasms.
- Restoration of spinal mobility.
- Strengthening weakened muscles.
- Normalization of microcirculation and trophism of vertebral structures.
- Reduced compression.
Anyone with osteochondrosis should exercise regularly. In addition, the following activities are recommended:
- Morning and industrial gymnastics.
- LFK complex.
- To swim.
- Traction of the spine.
- Self-massage.