Causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention of osteocondrosis

Osteocondrosis is a serious spinal disease, since it can cause serious discomfort and lead to various complications.For this reason, it must be treated in a timely and correctly way.This can be done at home with the help of medicines, popular remedies, physical education and physiotherapy procedures.All medical measures must be approved by a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of complications.

What is osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative spinal disease -stropic (DDZP), which leads to a violation of the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.This causes a decrease in their elasticity and a change in form.For this reason, the interval between the vertebrae is significantly reduced and the instability of the spine is observed in this place.

With the pathological destruction of the tissues, the nerve endings emanated by the spinal cord, which leads to a constant tension of the spinal muscles.In this context, pain and other characteristic symptoms occur.Clinical signs are able to differ according to the segment subjected to degenerative disorders.The following departments are distinguished by the condro of the spine:

• cervical;
• thoracic;
• lumbar.

If the pathological process affects several segments, this osteochondrosis is a polysesty.Common disorders have complicated symptoms and are much more difficult to diagnose, since the areas located close and remote from each other can be influenced.For example, the osteochondosis of the cervical and lumbar cross.

Osteochondrosis phase

There are 4 phases of osteochondrosis:

1. First.It is characterized by initial disorders in the intervertebral disc area.Usually at this stage the cartilage, a vertebra that surrounds, is covered by cracks.As a result, a reduction in the lumen between the discs begins.
2. The second.The fibrous ring covered with cracks is so restricted that the ligaments and muscles of the spine begin to come into contact and rub each other.At this stage, a person can manifest the first painful syndrome.The second stadium leads to the formation of the instability of the vertebrae.
3. The third.The cartilaginous laying between the discs occurs.The thinning is detected when performing the radiography and the symptoms are pronounced, which is intense.At this stage, pain syndrome can only be removed using powerful drugs.
4. Fourth.It is characterized by excessive instability of the vertebrae, since bone growths are formed on them - osteophytes.They make the nerve roots.Usually in this phase the symptoms attempt each other in some way, but manifests themselves seasonally (the hexacel peaks occur in autumn and spring).

Reasons

Osteocondrosis is able to develop against the background of the body's hypothermia, acute curves that cause the vertebrae to move, physical effort.The opinion of the experts converges that the main reason for the degenerative processes in the spine is the improper distribution of the load on the spinal column.

In addition, there are many factors that lead to this:

• weakness of the back muscles;
• Slouch;
• change in the pace during pregnancy;
• curvature of the spine;
• weight lifting;
• Active and power classes of sports;
• be in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
• Sitting lifestyle.

In addition, osteochondrosis can be caused by other reasons:

• violation of metabolic processes (lack of zinc, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other useful trace elements);
• body intoxication with chemicals;
• genetic predisposition;
• consequences of infectious diseases;
• falls, bruises;
• hormonal violations;
• nervous shocks;
• Changing the elasticity of the nucleus.

Deviations in the development of the spinal column can cause degenerative and dystrophic changes.There are provocative factors such as the abnormal ossification of the child's skeleton, inadequate physical activity and rapid growth.In this case, osteochondosis is called young or youthful.

If it is not possible to establish the cause and time of the occurrence (at what age the degenerative -Hstrum process has developed - in adolescence or in adults), therefore it is not called not specified.

Symptoms

Osteocondrosis is able to cause various symptoms, since each segment of the spine is responsible for the allocation of nerve endings to different organs and systems.

All events are divided into 4 groups:

1. Statistical symptoms are associated with a physiological violation of the form of the vertebrae.Consequently, a person changes the posture, the mobility of the head worsens, difficulties arise with the straightening of the spinal column.
2. The neurological characteristics are formed against the background of damage to nerve tissues.This leads to a violation of the sensitivity of the skin and a decrease in the intensity of muscle contractions in some areas of the body.If in the initial phase the pain syndrome manifests itself locally, when the disease advances, it begins to influence remote areas.Neurology includes manifestations such as numbness, tingling and goosebumps.With osteochondrosis, a symptom of lacega is distinguished, which is differently called tension symptom.It is associated with an excessive tension of sciatic nerve fibers.It is caused by the violation of the spinal nerves in the spine or the spasm of the buttock muscles/lumbar.
3. Possible vascular symptoms that occur against squeezing blood arteries.Usually this is observed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region.In case of compromised blood flow in this area, the oxygen deficiency of the brain occurs, due to which dizziness appear, a sense of nausea and changes in the sympathetic nervous system.The latter are characterized by prolonged cramps and chronic ischemia in the internal organs.
4. The trophic symptoms so called are distinguished.They are a combination of vascular and neurological disorders that lead to leather defects and ulcers.

Treatment

In order to successfully take care of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to conduct a detailed examination and establish accurate diagnosis.Firstly, doctors perform an external examination of the patient, the collection of disease disease, after which laboratory research and instrumental research methods.

There are 3 therapy methods:

• drug;
• physiotherapy;
• surgical.

A special diet, respect for bed rest and the minimization of loads on the spine is greater than the treatment of osteochondosis.During the rest, it is recommended to use a solid surface instead of a soft mattress.

At home, to treat the disease, you can resort to the first two methods.At the same time, it is advisable to combine them.To improve their action, you can introduce folk methods in therapy.

However, the car -marment is extremely undesirable.All measures and procedures must be approved by a specialist.In osteochondrosis therapy, some rules must be observed in the use of some methods.

Furthermore, if the supply of pharmacological medical treatments has not given results and the disease progresses, surgical treatment is prescribed.The surgery is carried out to stabilize the structure of the spine, the removal of intervertebral hernias or completely affected discs.

Drugs

The pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis should be complete, to have the aim of stopping pain and eliminating other pronounced symptoms.To do this, use various groups of drugs:

1. Anti -non -seroidal inflammatory.They are designed to eliminate inflammatory processes and all types of pain.The swelling of the fabrics also relieve.
2. Sedative. They are used to stop pain syndrome, but do not affect the pathological process itself.
3. Muscle relaxants.They are used to relieve muscle spasm in the spine, due to which the pain is significantly reduced.They act by blocking the receptors in the affected muscle fibers, due to which the conductivity of the impulses in the spinal cord is disturbed.The effect of these drugs is short -lived, but during this period the muscle fibers are able to return the normal tone and use their protective mechanisms from degenerative dystrophic processes.
4. Vitamins of group B, D, A, E, C, drugs containing phosphorus and containing calcium.Vitamin-immigrant complexes are needed for the refueling of substances in the body involved in the formation of bone and cartilage, metabolic processes.
5. Condroprotectors.
6. Vasodilative drugs.

In pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, doctors recommend using chondroprotectors who have a cumulative effect and influence the human body after a certain time, helping to restore the intervertebral disc.These drugs use a long period, up to 2-3 months.In addition, chondroprotectors seriously load the liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore they should be combined with probiotics.

Probiotics

All these groups of drugs can be used in various forms.With severe pain, injections are generally used for direct administration in the pathological area of the spine.In such cases, patients are prescribed injections with chondroprotectors and the block of novocaine so called.Any means of injections in the interested vertebra must be administered only by the attending physician, since this is a very difficult and dangerous procedure.Other pharmacological types of drugs are also not recommended in an uncontrollable way.The dosage and treatment regime should be determined by a specialist.

With less fear, ointments and gel can be used, but in this case there are some restrictions.For example, heating agents of the local action cannot be used during periods of exacerbation of the disease.The most popular drugs in the form of ointments, gels and creams for osteochondrosis include:

Operating therapy

In the treatment of osteochondosis, physical education (LFK) will be useful.Moderate physical activity can influence well to the musculoskeletal system.They stimulate metabolic processes, restore the mobility of the spinal column and strengthen muscle corset.

The doctor should select the methodology and diagram of therapeutic gymnastics, since it is able to vary according to the spine subject to the pathological process.Therefore, it is desirable that the lessons take place under the control of a specialist.After dominating the program, the treatment of physiotherapy exercises can be continued at home.

For example, during the diagnosis of osteochondosis of the cervical region, the following simple exercises are recommended:

1. Take your head forward and press the front of the forehead with your intertwined fingers.The patient must prevent pressure.A similar exercise is then performed, which acts on the occipital part, on the left and right temple.
2. Press on the forehead with four fingers, as if they stretched the skin, for 45 seconds.Actions are performed in different directions.This exercise is designed to restore blood circulation.
3. Sit on a chair or on the floor, keep your back straight and back your head back.With your hands it is necessary to gently press the chin up and down.So take the heads of the head on the left and right.
4. Try taking the chin in the breast.In this position, you have to cross your hands on the back of the head and press on it.In a stressful state, you have to linger for 1 minute and then perform the movement of the shoulders, lifting them, trying to reach the ears.

Physiotherapy procedures

Pharmacological treatment gives a good result if it combines it with physiotherapy procedures.Electromagnetic therapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound therapy, etc.They are useful for the condition of the vertebrae.Some types of procedures can be performed at home if you buy appropriate portable devices.Mineral waters and healing mud have beneficial effects.

In the absence of contraindications for massage, the patient can be visited by a manual therapist.In the treatment of osteochondrosis, it is possible to use reflexotherapy sessions, the effect on some points of the body.At home, you can conduct cars -Massaggi.There are several techniques that contribute to the elimination of pain and muscle tonic:

• Light that caresses the vertebral region with one or with both hands;
• crushing the muscles with pinching or circular movements, fingers not spending;
• crush the muscles with the palms;
• Simple processing of trapezoidal muscles;
• Squeezing longitudinal and courageous along the lines of massage;
• Rubbing the spaces between the ribs.

Popular remedies

To remove pain, you can use the means according to popular recipes.The result of the treatment with herbs and other natural compositions will appear only with their prolonged use.

Popular remedies are preferable to drugs, since the latter with long use is able to seriously damage the intestine, the liver and the pancreas.Therefore, it is advisable to use non -traditional medicine methods after stopping acute pain syndromes with drugs.The methods presented must be gradually replaced by medicines when the doctor is recommended.

Various effective recipes can be seen:

1. Honey and potatoes.You have to take several potatoes, grind them on a grater, add the same amount of honey.The components must be completely mixed, put on gauze and use it in the form of a compressed in a painful area.The reconciliation of the application must be wrapped with a scarf and left in this position for 1 hour.
2. Horseradish.You should take 1 plant sheet and steam with boiling water.It must be turned inside in the painful area and attack it.The product should be fixed safely and wrapped in a scarf.The procedure must be performed at night and remove the bandage, only the next morning.
3. Hot bottle.It is necessary to take plastic containers, pour hot water, wear the sofa and lie down on it with your back.It is recommended to try to move the bottle under it.The procedure must be performed for 30 minutes.
4. Parsley.It is necessary to eat for 30 days every day 1 root of the plant.
5. Pine Buds.The raw materials must be collected in the spring.The length of the pines should be 2 cm.It is necessary to rinse them and dry them.The raw materials must be ground and combined with the sugar in proportions of 2: 1, then mix carefully and refrigerate.The product will be ready when it acquires a rich brown tint.The mixture must be eaten for 1 teaspoon.per day for 3 weeks.

When using popular remedies, it is extremely attentive to approaching procedures with a heating effect.These actions can help temporarily get rid of pain and inflammation, but are able to damage.During periods of exacerbation of the disease, any heating are prohibited, since they cause a vascular expansion, due to which swelling can occur.In such situations, it is necessary to request a treatment for specialists.With osteochondrosis of the cervical region in any form, it is forbidden to heat the neck, since this can cause a strong migraine.

Prevention

Each person should perform special measures aimed at preventing the development of osteocondrosis.The main measure of prevention is to respect the correct posture during movement and sitting position.

It is recommended to engage in physical education, contributing to the strengthening of the musculoskeletal system and the muscle corset of the spinal column.

To sleep, you should choose specially designed orthopedic mattresses and cushions.Their advantage is that they allow you to repeat the physiological profile of the spinal column.

The musculoskeletal system cannot be exposed to excessive loads.If necessary, lift weights, it is necessary to use the right technique.

A dietary diet should be observed.The diet should be balanced, guarantee the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.You cannot use a large amount of caffeine, chocolate and alcoholic beverages.The food should be rich in proteins, calcium and other useful trace elements.