Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the spine. As it progresses, degeneration and dystrophy of the discs located between the vertebrae occur, then the vertebral tissues are affected.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by pain syndrome in the regions of the cervix, spine and lumbar region. In a neglected form, sensations of pain appear in the upper and lower extremities, chest and shoulders. Then the atrophy of the muscles begins, their sensitivity is lost, the dysfunction of the organs adjacent to the painful areas occurs: quite often the adjacent organs are compressed and displaced. If treatment is not started on time, the disease progresses and can cause disability.
Causes of the development of osteochondrosis
The most common reasons for the development of osteochondrosis are severe hypothermia of the body, excessive physical exertion, sharp turns that cause a displacement of the vertebrae.
The main cause of the disease is considered to be uneven tension in the spine. As a result, in the areas of the spine, which are subjected to strong physical pressure, a deformation of the cartilage structure is formed. Factors in the development of osteochondrosis are also:
- wrong body position (bending);
- weak back muscles;
- rachiocampsis;
- carrying and lifting heavy items;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- genetic predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins and minerals;
- exposure to infectious diseases;
- the negative impact of chemicals;
- stressful situations, nervous disorders;
- body hypothermia;
- hormonal changes;
- spinal cord injury;
- high-intensity sports;
- sudden changes in body posture.
A prerequisite for the occurrence of osteochondrosis may be unfavorable climatic factors that negatively affect people prone to meteorological dependence.
Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis during remission
During remission of osteochondrosis, pain of a mild nature appears only in uncomfortable body positions. The pain is aggravated by bending, jumping, sharp turns of the torso or head, rising suddenly from the bed. It is usually worthwhile to change position and the pain stops.
During the remission period, there are no symptoms of the disease associated with root irritation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation
During an exacerbation of the disease, the symptoms differ from one another depending on the site of inflammation. With a deterioration of the cervical region, the sensitivity of the skin on the neck and crown is significantly reduced, the disease is accompanied by acute pain in the cervical area. In addition, the pain syndrome is felt in the fingertips, descending through the shoulder joint. When squeezing the vertebral artery, the following symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis appear:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- flies and darkens in the eye;
- severe headache;
- tinnitus, hearing loss.
Symptoms of disease inflammation in the lumbar region arise from compression of the spinal cord root. Depending on the area of crushing, signs of deterioration can be distinguished:
- pain in legs and groin;
- decreased sensitivity in the legs and groin;
- shots in the lower back;
- fecal and urinary incontinence may occur;
- in women, menstrual irregularities;
- in men, a decrease in power;
- muscle atrophy.
Signs of worsening thoracic spine osteochondrosis are often confused with diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, and other internal organs. These symptoms are also called pretense. During a worsening of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients often believe they have worsened gastritis, peptic ulcer, or angina pectoris.
The main signs of inflammation are severe pain in the back, sides, chest area. Pain syndromes persist for a long time and appear severe and become stronger during movement.
In addition, coughing and difficulty breathing may occur. There is often a feeling of pain in the heart, pain in the arm.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis inflammation
At the beginning of the disease, you can do without medication. Just use applicators, exercise therapy, reduce the load on the back. If symptoms worsen, medication should be used.
Treatment of inflammation with medication aims to eliminate the inflammatory process, pain and increase metabolic processes. Since osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that adversely affects many organs, its treatment should be comprehensive. For the treatment of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation, the following medications are recommended:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Relieves pain and inflammation. Used in the form of ointments, creams, tablets, injections.
- Vasodilators. Medications are vasodilators. Muscle stress and pain lead to vasoconstriction.
- Muscle relaxants. Medicines serve to relax the muscles. They relax and soothe muscles, normalize blood circulation, relieve pain.
- Chondroprotectors. Medication should be taken for a long time. A positive result is felt in about six months.
- Soothing. With prolonged pain, a depressive state can occur. Valerians, fungi, antidepressants are used as sedatives.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes. It is very important to take B vitamins, which restore the sensitivity of nerve endings.
- For general strengthening of the body, multivitamin complexes are prescribed.