Today, experts around the world are looking for methods to fight spinal diseases. Unfortunately, severe back pain warns almost everyone after their thirties. The main cause-and-effect relationships of pain lie in various neurological diseases. The most common of these is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone must know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and 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 "knead" and gradually lose elasticity. Due to that, their deformation and displacement occur, which compresses the nerves in the spinal cord.
The advanced stage of the disease brings serious complications, which later lead to disability. Therefore, osteochondrosis is a serious disease, the symptoms of which everyone must know:
- Cutting and shooting pains in the muscles of the spine.
- There is numbness of the limbs.
- Headache (starts at the nape of the neck and can then spread to the temple and scalp).
- Neck pain aggravated by movement.
- Dizziness, frequent fainting spells.
- Colored stains, "flies" in the eyes.
- Heart aches and pains are felt in other organs that are located next to the heart.
- Salt deposition.
- The skin peels.
- The level of sweating increases / decreases.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- With a spinal injury.
- With a hereditary predisposition.
- Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
- In case of obesity.
- With contagious chronic disease.
- During physiological changes in the body (aging).
- With constant performance of heavy physical effort.
- Flat feet.
External factors that cause the appearance of the disease:
- Constant bending.
- Curved spine of various degrees.
- Lifting weights.
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Frequent stress.
- Hormonal disorders.
- During strength training.
Osteochondrosis most often affects the elderly. Many people are not even aware that lifting heavy objects leads to intervertebral disc prolapse. Therefore, if it is necessary to take heavy objects, then after squats.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs as a result of improper metabolic activity.
Main symptomatic manifestations:
- Pain in the neck and nape.
- Feeling of muscle weakness.
- A squeak is heard when turning the head.
- Frequent headaches or dizziness.
- General state of weakness.
- Constant fatigue.
Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of a painful pain that spreads to the back of the head. This disease often causes deterioration not only of vision, but also of heart and lung function. Therefore, to prevent progression, you need to "fight" faster.
The complications are quite insidious. A significant change in the vertebrae is noticeable: the normalization of the vascular blood supply to the brain is disturbed, leading to migraines. If an advanced stage is observed, then the spinal cord is compressed, resulting in death. Therefore, it is important that everyone knows what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms, treatment in order 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 organs. Thoracic osteochondrosis carries failure of 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 tightness in the chest.
- There may be signs of indigestion or bloating.
- Numb limbs.
- "Chills" on the skin.
In general, the increase in pain occurs at night, especially when walking, coughing. An attack of fear of death can recur.
If timely treatment is not undertaken, the disease can cause not only complications, but also disability. Complications include:
- Protrusion of the thoracic spine.
- Spinal cord compression.
- Injuries to the activities 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 catches a cold or due to physical overload. The signs of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:
- Pain in the lumbar region, which "radiates" downwards (the nature of the pain is painful).
- "Ready. "
- "Poles" in the legs.
Predisposing underlying causes:
- Inactive lifestyle.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Significant deviations in the musculoskeletal system (curvature of the legs, flat feet).
- Improper diet, stress, lack of sleep.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has quite serious complications:
- The spinal cord is affected.
- Horsetail syndrome.
- Possible limb paralysis.
How to treat osteochondrosis
Many people who know firsthand what pain is in osteochondrosis, ask the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Specialists of world-famous specialized clinics assure that in the first stages of osteochondrosis it is possible not only to cure, but also to completely restore the functioning of the spine. In the case of late seeking help, in the stage of 3-4 diseases, the doctor can only slightly improve the patient's condition. After all, this disease creates bone growths, as a result, changes the shape of the spine. Positive changes can be noticed only with surgical intervention.
"How to treat it? " - this is the first question patients ask the doctor. Today, osteochondrosis can be cured in three ways: medication, surgery, physiotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with osteochondrosis, treatment at home can provide additional benefits. So, 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 drugs that relieve inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointment, gel, cream.
A positive result brings a complex treatment. Therefore, if a patient has osteochondrosis, medications should not be just types of medication. It is also necessary to resort to physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnet, etc. As they say: conscious, 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 effective restorative therapies. Be sure to adhere to the basic principles: regularity and proper execution. After all, irregularities can be harmful and even worsen the condition. And when done correctly, you will feel:
- Removal of pain and cramps.
- Restoration of spinal mobility.
- Strengthening weakened 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 and industrial gymnastics.
- LFK complex.
- Swimming.
- Spinal traction.
- Self-massage.