When osteochondrosis. the spine is the destruction of bone and cartilage of one or more segments of the spine. This disease is chronic in nature and develops in almost all elderly people. Associated with the normal aging of the body.
Intervertebral discs are subject to atrophic changes and at what age will this happen, depends on many factors:
- injury?
- of the disease and the overload of the spine.
To overload of the spine is mentioned:
- walking with a curved back?
- the wrong seat?
- characteristics structure of the spine?
- inadequate nutrition of the tissues of the spine due to hereditary defects.
When osteochondrosis. the core, located between the vertebrate disks, it loses part of the water. Because of this the core is going on metabolic and impeded the access of various minerals and vitamins.
At some point in the disk appear in cracks, it becomes flat. Further they start to affect the nearby joints and ligaments, forming inflammation of the tissue. Due to the inflammation is displacement of the adjacent vertebrae. It is dangerous to the advent of root symptoms: pain in the course of the nerve.
It is also possible the appearance of intervertebral hernia, and this, in turn, may cause compression of the spinal cord. For osteoarthritis is characterized by the appearance of osteophytes – osteophytes on the bodies of the vertebrae. These increases can be crushes the spinal cord and cause radicular syndrome.
Often osteochondrosis. affected by the cervical and the lumbar sections.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical
Causes:
- children's activities (weight lifting);
- excess weight?
- metabolic disorder?
- the sedentary work ( programmers, accountants, drivers, etc.)?
- the flat feet?
- injury of the spine?
- hypothermia.
The symptoms
The main symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine – pain in the region of the head and neck. The person worried about the severe headaches, pain in the neck, giving the hand, pain in the sternum. The patient may complain of back pain – the appearance of a sharp pain in the neck, muscle muscle spasm and limitation of motion.
Also the man can hear the crackle on the curves of the neck. By pinching of the nerves and blood vessels in the man can occur, numbness of tongue and fingertips. The sufferer will complain about reduction in hearing and vision, increased blood pressure and weakness in the muscles of the hands and feet.
Breast osteochondrosis
This kind of degenerative disc disease is quite rare. This is due to anatomic construction of the segment of the spine. It consists of 12 vertebrae, which are connected with the blades for the account of the joints. In front of the fins between them are connected by the breast bone. So, created a very good framework of the vertebral column, the sternum and the ribs that protect the internal organs from various injuries.
The vertebrae of the department have small height and long spiny shoots that are located one above the other, as a cold sores. Due to this structure of this section of the spine has a small mobility. Intervertebral discs of the department are rarely exposed to injury.
Cause of formation of this type of degenerative disc disease:
- the improper distribution of cargo?
- a delay in the nutrition of the intervertebral disks?
- the sedentary work?
- the presence of scoliosis.
The symptoms
As with other species, a symptom of degenerative disc disease of the department is the pain.
But when the osteochondrosis. the pain may be different. Dorsalgia – long-term uncomfortable and can pain in the way of the thoracic vertebrae. The pain can affect the cervical and lumbar area.
Dorigo – one of the signs of degenerative disc disease of the department, in which the pain appears in the form of attack. By nature's intense, acute, leads to difficulty in breathing, which leads to limitation of muscle motion. In addition to the pain, patients may experience a feeling of numbness in the chest, disorders of sexual function, pain in the region of the heart, kidney and stomach.
The dangerous defeat of the department?
Spine. it is designed so that in the chest that narrows, like a hernia resulting from the degenerative disc disease, will quickly lead to pressure on the spinal cord. It is easy to lead to problems with the heart, the pancreas, the liver, and the kidneys, is the chest part is connected with all the principles of nerve fibers. This is why it is very important the time to consult your doctor. It will help me to figure out where your harassing signs of degenerative disc disease and will carry out the correct treatment of the disease.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs due to the rise of gravity. Normally, in the center of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus, contains a large amount of water. At the expense of the liquid core is a little bit compressible, and about the breakup need compression at 500 kg.
However, the affected osteochondrosis. disk becomes more and more weak, and for the separation need only 200 pounds. If a person weighing 70 kg will increase 15 kg load in a tilt position, and spine, this is the load 200 kg, — the intervertebral disc can break. So the first symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the spine manifested by the increase of gravity.
The symptoms
- pain in the lumbar area?
- the weakness of motion in the back?
- disorders of sleep?
- irritability?
- fatigue?
- the inability to exercise home use?
- reduction of sexual function in men;
- the menstrual cycle?
- the syndrome of "cold feet".
In the transition to degenerative disc disease in the sacrum area the patient presents with pain in the region of the kidneys, and violation of urination.
Diagnosis
Treatment of degenerative disc disease conducted by the doctor-neurologist. For a start it will carry out the inspection of the vertebral column, draws attention to the existence of scoliosis. After feelings the doctor can understand how surprised spine., tendons and nerves.
After the neurologist will suspect osteochondrosis of the spine, to direct the patient to further research. Here goes the passage of x-ray examination, magneto-resonance tomography. If you suspect that a destruction of the intervertebral disc is made discography. Also prescribed for the determination of the degree of destruction of nerve pathways.
In general, the diagnosis "osteochondrosis of the spine" to put it very, very hard. Why a man can be thanks to pain in the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, or sexual dysfunction. But yet most careful examination of an experienced doctor may suspect the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Treatment of degenerative disc disease is a very long and difficult process. In the acute period, the patient needs to rest affected part. If stunned throat, then the patient should record the collar Trench. If it hurts in the lumbar department – a patient is required to rest in bed. It is better to put the patient in the hospital. Only there you will be able to fully comply with a specified function. The bed that the patient will need to be hard. To do this under the mattress is placed a wooden shield.
Drug therapy
As mentioned above, the main symptom of the disease is the pain. Therefore, the patient for the relief of pain and other symptoms of degenerative disc disease shall be appointed by analgesics.
Also appointed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Unfortunately, the long-term use of these drugs causes the defeat of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, and the patient, the following symptoms appear:
- nausea?
- vomiting;
- the pain in the stomach?
- feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
It can also exacerbate ulcers disease stomach or to appear bleeding. Therefore, before the use of these drugs you should consult your doctor. If the pain caused osteochondrosis., lasts for over 3 months, together with these drugs are prescribed antidepressants. It was found that in addition to a calming effect, you will be able to reduce the pain.
All of the above medicines can be attributed to symptomatic treatment. It will help to relieve the pain, but will not relieve the person from the disease.
For the restoration of the intervertebral disc and cartilage are appointed chondroprotectors. These drugs improve the metabolism of the connective tissue and contribute to cartilage repair. Drugs taken for a long period of time, on average — 4 – 6 months.
Apart from the restoration of the tissues and the improvement of their metabolism, these drugs have analgesic action. Another group of medicines which are required during the osteochondrosis. of the spine are drugs that improve blood circulation. Their application contributes to the dilation of blood vessels, and if combined with these drugs-antioxidants, then the person will improve the metabolism of the nerve cells.
As with any disease, patients need calcium supplements. This will restore the activity of bone, it will increase the strength of ligaments and tendons, as well as the prevention of osteoporosis – a disease that accompanies osteochondrosis..
Physical therapy
Calculated dose load of the spine then it will improve the condition of the patient. But to perform the exercises you need to be extremely carefully. In the acute period physical education lesson is contraindicated. Only subsided the pain can start slowly to do it.
The exercises will improve the blood circulation in the spine, strengthen the muscles. Through the flow of blood will improve your metabolism and will restore damaged intervertebral disc. But we must also remember that the course must be done regularly, otherwise the result will not be.
Exercises with the defeat of the cervical spine of the
- Lie on your back and sit up straight. Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest and take a breath, pick up your breath for 10 minutes, then exhale and relax. The duration of the exercise 3 – 5 minutes. Per day you will need to do 3-5 times.
- Lie down on your stomach and straighten your legs. Relying on the belly and legs lift head and the upper part of the chest. The exercise is 3 – 5 minutes in intervals of 30 seconds.
- Lie on your back and bend your knees. In this position, turn on the right and left side. The exercise is 3 – 5 minutes in intervals of 30 seconds.
Exercises with the defeat of the department of
- Lie down on your stomach. Rest hands on the floor and bend it back. Hold in this position for 5 -10 seconds. The exercise is 3 – 5 minutes at intervals of 20 seconds.
- Lie on your back. Raise the head and feet ("boat"). Hold for 10-20 seconds. The exercise is 3 – 5 minutes at intervals of 20 seconds.
Exercises with the defeat lumbar
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and press them towards your chest. Swing back and forth and rolling with their backs to the sanctuary and back. Dominates up to 2 minutes. Then, you should calmly lie down and relax.
- You have to stand on all fours and bend over backwards as much as possible. The exercise is 3 – 5 minutes at intervals of 20 seconds.
- In the upright position, imagine that you turn the wrap for 2 – 3 minutes. Exercise to perform 10 times a day.
The surgical treatment
In the absence of effect of conservative treatment and complications of degenerative disc disease, an immediate treatment. During the surgery, perform the stabilization of the spine, are facing pressure on the spinal cord and roots. If a person has a herniated vertebral disc is removed. Since during the execution of this function may cause damage to the spinal cord and nerves, is made only for vital indications.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
The purpose of physiotherapy treatments have a positive influence on the course of the disease and accelerate the recovery process. When osteochondrosis. allowed:
- a visit to the sauna or baths?
- swimming in a pool?
- massage?
- paraffin?
- manual treatment?
- laser treatment?
- various baths?
- the mud;
- electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory means or miorelaxanthami;
- magnetic therapy?
- D 'arsonval.
All these procedures improve blood circulation in a patient area, allow you to relax the muscles and to get relaxation of the whole organism. Physiotherapy have been assigned to a period of convalescence, when the patient is not concerned about strong pains.
Prevention
From degenerative disc disease no one is safe. We're all getting older, and with us getting older and our whole body. To disease has not ruined your plans, you will still have the youth and in sport. Moderate physical activity of these, it helps to improve blood circulation, the metabolism process. In addition it trains the muscles that protect your spine For the prevention of degenerative disc disease. each person will have to:
- eating right – vitamins and minerals essential for the body?
- give up bad habits?
- engaged in physical culture?
- not clumsy?
- away behind the prevention of hypothermia;
- do not lift very heavy objects?
- shower and tempered;
- to avoid the stress.
People who suffer from this disease it is particularly important to follow his advice, because non-compliance will result in deterioration. When the pain in the back, that long-term does not go away, you need to ask someone for help. Only a doctor can establish the correct diagnosis and to prescribe treatment.
Do not tighten with a visit to the doctor, because the disease is better to treat in the early stages. Also, you won't have to self-medicate – every drug has its contraindications, for which you can not know. Follow the advice of your doctor and then the disease back a little bit!