What is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment

Today, specialists 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 among them is osteochondrosis. Therefore, everyone should know what osteochondrosis is, its causes and symptoms and treatment.

back pain with osteochondrosis

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis has a negative impact not only on the spine itself, but also affects its tissues and intervertebral discs. They "crumble" and gradually lose their elasticity. Therefore, their deformation and displacement occurs, thus compressing the nerves in the spinal cord.

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

  • Cutting and shooting pain in the muscles of the spine.
  • There is numbness of the limbs.
  • Headache (starting from the back of the head, and then can spread to the temple and crown).
  • Neck pain that worsens with movement.
  • Dizziness, frequent cases of fainting.
  • Colored spots, "flies" in the eyes.
  • The aches and pains of the heart are felt in other organs located near the heart.
  • Salt storage.
  • The skin is peeling.
  • The level of sweating increases / decreases.

Causes of osteochondrosis:

  • With spinal cord injury.
  • With hereditary predisposition.
  • Metabolic disorders (lack of trace elements).
  • In case of obesity.
  • With a chronic infectious disease.
  • During the course of physiological changes in the body (aging).
  • By constantly performing strenuous physical exertion.
  • Flat feet.

External factors that provoke the onset of the disease:

  • Continuous bending.
  • Curved back to varying degrees.
  • Weight gain.
  • 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 you sit down.

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.
  • There is a crack when he turns his head.
  • Frequent headaches or dizziness.
  • General state of weakness.
  • Constant fatigue.

Osteochondrosis of the neck has the character of painful pain, which spreads to the back of the head. Often this disease causes a deterioration not only of vision but also of heart and lung function. Therefore, to prevent progress, you need to "fight" faster.

The complications are quite insidious. A significant change in the vertebrae is noticeable: the normalization of the blood supply to the blood vessels in the brain is interrupted, which leads to migraine. If an advanced stage is observed, then the spinal cord is compressed, as a result - death. Therefore, what is osteochondrosis, its causes and symptoms, treatment is important for everyone to know to prevent serious consequences.

Osteochondrosis of the chest region

Thoracic spine osteochondrosis is less common. There are many nerve endings in the chest region. They are responsible for the normalization of the activities of other bodies. Osteochondrosis of the chest carries a failure of the activity cycle of the heart as well as the stomach and lungs. The main symptomatic signs are:

  • Pain in the shoulders, 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 during walking, coughing. An attack of fear of death can appear constantly.

thoracic spine and osteochondrosis

If treatment is not taken in time, the disease can cause not only a number of complications but also disability. Complications include:

  • Thoracic spine extension.
  • 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 be intensified after the human body is overheated or due to physical overload. The signs of this disease can be understood by the symptoms:

  • Pain in the lower back, "radiant" down (the nature of the pain is aching).
  • "Gun shoots".
  • "Polish" on foot.

The main predisposing 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 carries very serious complications:

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

How to treat osteochondrosis

Many people who know directly what osteochondrosis pain is, ask the question: "How to treat osteochondrosis? ". Specialists of world-renowned specialized clinics ensure that in the early stages of osteochondrosis it is possible not only to cure, but also to fully restore the functioning of the spine. In case of delayed seeking help, in stages 3-4 of the disease, the doctor can only slightly improve the patient's well-being. After all, this disease forms bone growth, as a result, the shape of the spine changes. Positive changes can only be noticed with surgery.

"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 are diagnosed with osteochondrosis, home treatment can bring additional benefits. So the load on the spine should be reduced to "no", adhere to bed rest and replace the soft mattress with a firm surface. Doctors prescribe medications that relieve inflammation and swelling. You can also use ointments, gels, creams.

A positive result brings complex treatment. Therefore, if the patient has osteochondrosis, the medication should not be just the type of drug. It is also necessary to resort to physiotherapeutic measures: ultrasound, electrophoresis, magnets, 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 is corrective gymnastics for osteochondrosis - one of the effective restorative therapies. Make sure you adhere to the basic principles: regularity and proper execution. After all, irregularity can be harmful and even worsen the condition. And when done right, you will feel:

  • Elimination of pain and spasms.
  • Restoration of spinal mobility.
  • Strengthened 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.
  • Notes.
  • Spinal traction.
  • Self-massage.