Osteochondrosis

If the lower back, back or neck hurts, it is difficult to straighten, your spine - many people automatically diagnose themselves: "Of course - osteochondrosis!"The causes of the "disease" seem extremely clear: we live in the twenty -first century, barely move, not eat well ...

In reality, however, everything is slightly more complex.

What is it - spine osteochondrosis?How appropriate is such a diagnosis?And what happens in the spinal column?

From a scientific point of view, osteochondrosis is degenerative (that is, early "aging", "wear") (otherwise other joints may affect).The pathological process begins with intervertebral discs and gradually spreads into the vertebrae.

The spine osteochondrosis - does this diagnosis exist?

In English medicine, this term denotes a group of completely different diseases that have nothing to do with our "native" osteochondrosis.In the international classification of diseases, a book that all neurologists should refer to when referring to diagnosis, there are terms such as "spine osteochondrosis in adults", "spine juvenile osteochondrosis" and "spine osteochondrosis".

Sometimes, however, this diagnosis is not entirely justified when the doctor is not able to fully understand what happens to the patient.This term can cover diseases such as:

• Myofasial pain syndrome- A condition in which the cramp continues to occur in the same muscles.
• Muscle injuries.After the injury, the pain begins to disturb and disappear on its own after a while.
• Otolithiasis- A condition in which calcium crystals accumulate in the inner ear.They lead to dizziness - sometimes they are mistaken for the manifestation of spinal diseases.
• Headache.They are often associated with degenerative changes in the cervical spine.In fact, they have other reasons more often.

Treatment of spine osteochondrosis

Standard treatment measures to exacerbate the disease look like this:

• Anti -inflammatory and analgesics.Or
• If the pain is very severe and does not go away- Novocaine blockades are used.The needle and syringe is injected by an armed physician in special places where he blocks the transmission of nerve impulses.
• Physiotherapy helps:Medical electrophoresis with anesthesia, ultrasound, ultraviolet irradiation, diadynamic currents.
• If the pain causes you to be constantly nervous tension,Prescribe medications that will help you soothe.
• To the area of painWe use dry heat.
• In order to unload the spine,Different types of traction are used.The patient can be placed on a special bed, with a raised headrest and attached to the armpit rings.Underwater sticking is also used in the pool.
• Your doctor may recommendVisit a chiropractor to acupuncture seats.
• During aggravationWear special orthopedic tools that help relieve muscles and support the spine corset, the shant collar.

When the worsening goes away, you need to take action to prevent your new.Therapeutic exercises and massage promote the strengthening of spinal support muscles.Physiotherapy courses are prescribed.Swimming is good for you.The contraindication of all treatment methods in osteochondrosis should be made wisely, so self -healing is not the best choice.Visit your doctor.

Occasionally, the symptoms of the disease, despite treatment, continue to increase and the patient's condition deteriorates.In this case, the neurologist may raise the issue of surgical treatment.

Why should your doctor visit soon?First of all, "real" osteochondrosis is not such a harmless disease.Over time, you can make a person disabled if you remain untreated.Second, the symptoms can be caused by the same myofascial pain syndrome - the neurologist will be able to quickly recognize the cause of the pain and eliminate it. 

Back pain is a symptom that statistics show that more than 90% of people live at least once in their lives.It is most often attributed to osteochondrosis.Not all people who have pain in the spine turn to doctors.Many people treat themselves with drugs that can be obtained without prescription at the pharmacy or folk drugs.Occasionally, such a "treatment" results in a temporary relief - but in the meantime the disease may continue and perhaps next time the back or lower part is much more powerful.

An experienced neurologist will be able to correctly assess the symptoms of osteochondrosis, understand their causes, and prescribe the proper treatment of osteochondrosis.

The main manifestation of pain, the main manifestation of osteochondrosis, can be more or less successfully combined with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and some folk drugs.But this does not solve the main problem;Pathological changes in the spine continue to grow.

Over time, it is full of compression of the spinal cord and the arteries that provide it, as well as the development of severe neurological complications: severe weakening, even complete loss, movements and sensitivity, loss of bladder and rectum control.

What symptoms are usually manifested as spine osteochondrosis?

The typical manifestation of the disease is pain.As a general rule, they hurt, constantly disturb, feel numbness, arms and legs.Usually pain increases in sudden movements, difficult lifting, physical work, sneezing, coughing and longer stays in a monotonous, uncomfortable position.

The muscles surrounding the spine react to pain.They have a tension in them.As a result, the patient may be in an antalgic position - one in which the pain does not disturb him.Gradually this leads to curvature of the spine.

As time passes, if the disease is not treated, the pain increases and becomes embarrassing.Other signs of osteochondrosis occur:

• Sensitivity is impaired, with numbness, tingling and "climbing" feelings in the arms and legs.
• The muscles of the limbs weaken over time and decrease in size - their atrophy develops.
• With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, patients have headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, "spots" and shiny spots in the eyes.
• In the case of chest osteochondrosis, the heart pain is disturbing.The person may experience a sensation: "as if a stake had led him to the chest."
• If the spine's nerve root is squeezed (for example, during the formation of a hernified disk, in the vertebrae of the vertebrae), a serious shooting occurs.

Correct treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

The key to effective treatment is the correct and timely diagnosis.During the neurological examination at the clinic, a special physician assesses his symptoms and the degree of damage to certain nervous functions.

Here you can test new, modern equipment - this will help you understand in detail what happens to your spinal column, nerve roots, surrounding tissues and muscles.

Treatment should not only be directed with the symptoms of osteochondrosis.You should try to eliminate the cause, and if this is not possible, understand how you can most effectively keep the disease under control and prevent it from progressing.The neurologist prepares the correct treatment program and sets it, taking into account changes in your condition.

In order to defeat the enemy, you should know him as it is.This applies to all illnesses: careful examination of the doctor, modern instrumental examinations and laboratory tests help to make an accurate diagnosis, understand what happens in the patient's body and require effective treatment of osteochondrosis.

The main manifestation of osteochondrosis is back pain, a symptom that can occur with many other diseases.You need a specialist to help determine and cope with it. 

Neurological examination in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis: How is the appointment in the neurologist office?

During the appointment your doctor will ask some questions:

• What complaints do you disturb?
• Where does the pain occur?
• How long does the pain last?How strong?
• What is the nature of the pain: they stab, shoot, hurt, pull?
• When do the symptoms occur?What provokes them?
• When and after what do you feel better?

The doctor then performs a neurological examination, checks the sensitivity of the skin, the strength of the muscle and the sound, the reflexes, the sense of balance and the coordination of movements.The neurologist can press points near the spine to determine pain.You will then write a test program to clarify the diagnosis.

Our neurologists work according to the same standards: they thoroughly examine, miss nothing, and write down all the necessary tests.

What diagnostic methods are used for osteochondrosis?

Most often the following diagnostic methods are prescribed for osteochondrosis:

• Radiography.At least two forecasts are performed: front and profile.If necessary, the photos are taken in other positions.
• X -ray contrast tests.To better examine the abnormal changes in the spinal column, you can inject contrast medium into the spinal canal (myelography), the intervertebral disk (discography) and the blood vessels (angiography).These tests are carried out only for special indications.
• Computer tomography.Helps in more detailed examination of bone structures compared to radiography to detect the height of the intervertebral disc and the increase in the vertebrae.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.It helps to detect high -precision changes in soft tissues.

Your doctor may prescribe other diagnostic methods for osteochondrosis.The specialist will make sure that you will be consulted with the appropriate doctor and will undergo all necessary tests, so you do not have to overpay the excess procedures.

Preventing osteochondrosis

Follow these recommendations to maintain your back healthy condition:

• Your diet should be complete.
• You need regular physical activity.If you have chronic diseases, consult your doctor and ask them to recommend the appropriate gymnastic complex.
• It maintains normal weight - it not only prevents osteochondrosis, but also prevents many other "wounds".
• If you have a sitting job, stop walking and stretching more often.
• Raise the weights correctly.Don't bend on your waist.Hold your back straight - your legs have to do the job.

Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases that are scientifically called "degenerative pathologies".In other words, these are diseases in which the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and joints are "worn out" prematurely, "age" (this is not a completely accurate explanation, but it usually helps to imagine what happens to the spine).But what causes this early wear?

Why does osteochondrosis occur?

The spine osteochondrosis is a disease that has no specific cause.Different factors lead to its occurrence:

• Injuries.Osteochondrosis may have a loud echo of damage to the previously suffered or league.
• Microtraumas.These can be caused by frequent similar movements in the spinal column, long staying in a monotonous, uncomfortable position.
• Congenital disorders of the spine.They differ: non -fusion of spinal arches, changes in the number of vertebrae in the lumbar and sacred regions, and the incorrect location of joint processes in the lumbar region.You may not suspect that you have such a condition throughout your life, and when your back is "sick", the disorder will be discovered during an examination.
• Autoimmune conditionsin which the immune cells appear in the intervertebral discs, attacking the body's own tissues.
• Circulatory disorders.The tissues of the spine stop the necessary amount of oxygen -rich blood.

Who experiences osteochondrosis most often?

Certain conditions contribute to spinal problems:

• Sitting lifestyle, low physical activity.Office workers have increased risk.
• Overweight.It causes all extra kilograms of tension to the spinal column.
• Excessive physical activity.Overload when training athletes.
• Malnutrition.In order to ensure that the vertebrae, ligaments and muscles are strong and resistant to the loads, they need to obtain the necessary materials - "building materials".
• Former neck injuries, back, back.
• Untreated postural disorders, skoliosis.
• Permanent stay, work in an uncomfortable emergency when you often have to stand or sit for a long time.
• If you have close relatives who suffer from osteochondrosis, the risks will also increase.

What happens to the spine during osteochondrosis?

The development of osteochondrosis is primarily based on the "wear" of the intervertebral disc.Its structure changes at molecular levels.At first, the intervertebral disc swells, then "dries", decreases and beyond the spinal body, and cracks and tears appear in the outside.They grow inside the blood vessels, the disk becomes thicker and the calcification begins.The vertebra is relaxed.

The degenerative process then spreads to the vertebrae and the intervertebral joints.The muscles surrounding the affected part of the spine are constantly tensioned and the compression appears in them.

To compensate for the increased load of the vertebrae, the bones (osteophytes) appear, increasing their surface.

Depending on where pathological changes occur, cervical, chest and lumbar osteochondrosis can be distinguished.Two or all three sections can be affected at the same time.