Under osteochondrosis is intended degenerative process in the intervertebral discs. The spinal column is compressed, flattened disks that are between the vertebrae. With the passage of time lose their elasticity, and begin to smanacciarci and the nerve endings of the spinal cord.
Like any other disease, back pain, it is necessary to treat, under the supervision of a doctor. In the following, we describe in detail, what is this disease, because it is born and what symptoms are characteristic for him.
What is back pain?
Low back pain is a malocclusion of the vertebral column, a characteristic that is degenerative-degenerative defeat of the intervertebral disc, and then the same tissues in the vertebrae.
Degenerative changes of the disc lead to a weakening of the outer fibrous ring widths. Therefore, in patients with osteochondrosis often occur such serious complications, as the protrusion (protrusion of the disk), and transmission hernia spinal (protrusion of the nucleus pulposus of the disc into the spinal canal).
According to the results of medical research, problems with the spinal column experiences every other man after 30 years. In 70% of cases the cause of pain in the area of the spine is considered to be low back pain, which refers to neurological diseases that affect the ligaments of the vertebral column.
Like any other illness, back pain can not rise, by itself, for no reason at all, hitting the back an acute pain. The first signs of osteoarthritis of the spine do not manifest themselves immediately, little by little.
Depending on the location of the onset of pain distinguishes three types of degenerative disc disease:
- Cervical;
- Chest;
- Lumbar.
Important! The major complications of degenerative disc disease belong protrusion of intervertebral disks, hernias of vertices of schmorl, ankylosis of the vertebral column, the breach of a spinal root nerves, and blood vessels.
Causes
According to many experts who have conducted the study of this disease, the main cause of the onset of degenerative disc disease is properly distributed, the load on the spine. As a result, the patients, directly in the places that excess of physical pressure, a change occurs in the structure of the cartilage tissues.
The causes of degenerative disc disease of the spine:
- Hereditary predisposition to the disease.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system and metabolism.
- The development of orthopaedic illnesses, for example, flat foot, curvature, posture, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- A variety of lesions, injuries of the spine.
- Lifestyle: lack of physical activity, poor diet and the prevalence of dishes in the fast food and harmful products.
- The presence of an excess of weight.
- Bad habits like smoking, alcoholism.
- Stress, peruutusehdot.
- Pregnancy.
In most cases, the causes of degenerative disc disease are connected with the professional activity of a person. At risk are the following professional categories:
- accounting;
- cashiers;
- EN-workers;
- the staff of the office;
- professional athletes;
- the drivers of the vehicles.
Noted, however, that the signs of osteoarthritis more often occur in women than in representatives of the stronger sex.
Phase of development
The development of the degenerative disc disease occurs in 4 phase (degrees):
Low back pain 1 phase
Marked the beginning of a pathological process in polipozom the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is dehydration (dehydration), and consequently the height of the disc decreases. With this ring fibrous, began to appear cracks. In this stage the patient usually does not feel any change. The discomfort can occur under unusual for a man posing seats, or active the charging.
2 phase
In the second phase of the degenerative disc disease continuation of the degenerative changes leads to the protrusion of the disc. Reduced the gap between the vertebrae, occurs the destruction of the fibrous capsule. They are, therefore, subject the roots of the spinal nerves, which causes the appearance of spots of pain, intensity which increases when you bend, curve, in other movements. It is possible the appearance of weakness, decreased performance.
Step 3 degenerative disc disease of the spine
Characterized the cancellation of the cartilage strip between the discs, thinning of the tissue is clearly evident, if you do renthenznimky. The symptoms of arthritis of the spine pronounced, leading to intense, and the attack of the pain does not pass, and remove it only capable of powerful painkillers.
4 stage
The fourth step is of complex neurological disorders in the vertebral system, expressed in partial or total limitation of joint mobility. In this diagnostic state in place on the spinal compounds are formed bone outgrowths (osteophytes) that cause microtrauma to the nervous modern derivations and neighboring segments of the spine.
In most cases, the symptoms of degenerative disc disease 4 measurement do not cause pain and discomfort, as well as the joints buy mobile of view.
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease in adults
Low back pain – degenerative-degenerative change (destruction) of bone in the spine, articular cartilage, ligaments of the instrument and the intervertebral discs. In the course of the disease is pathological mobility of the spinal column, which violated the soft tissues, nervous fibers and blood vessels located near the hearth of defeat – so you experience pain.
The main symptoms of degenerative disc disease:
- back pain, neck, back, shoulders and even the ribs;
- the discomfort, the stiffness of the back when I do some movements, took something.
- numbness of the limbs (hands and/or feet);
- the feeling of pain in the hands and feet, chills;
- muscle spasms;
- irregularities of the functioning of the sexual organs;
- headache, dizziness;
- the pain in the area of the heart;
- violation of the sensitivity;
- muscular hypotonia;
- fatigue at times and the eyes.
Encourage the emergence of symptoms acute can excessive physical stress, the fatigue, the cold, the injury, the commotion of the body and the effects of vibration.
Complications
The degenerative processes that affects the intervertebral discs, lead to a reduction of their density, their loss of damping must be functions. The consequence of these changes is excessive mobility of the spinal column, affects the facet joints, muscles and ligaments.
Involved in the destructive processes paravertebral structure to cause a compression (compression) of the spinal cord, its nerve endings. Because of this sick osteochondrosis feels the pain that is accompanied by symptoms and diseases:
- severe headache, migraine;
- reduction of visual acuity;
- partial loss of hearing;
- radiculopathy (sciatica);
- autonomic dysfunction (VSD);
- alteration of the functionality of the system, the genito-urinary tract;
- sciatica (compression of the sciatic nerve);
- herniated disc;
- spondiloartrosi;
- low back pain, low back pain;
- osteophytes, cervical spondylosis;
- stenosis of the spinal canal.
Worse than all that, together with osteochondrosis, you will begin to appear and other diseases. The fact is that harm to the vessel-nerve bundle, worsens the blood flow, as a result of a disease of the whole body in general.
The aggravation of the degenerative disc disease
In the spring, often comes a deterioration of the lower divisions of the vertebral column, and in the winter it intensifies the chest. Aggravation can be with weather changes, stress, exercise. An exacerbation of the disease prescribe pain medication, local ointments, medications, alleviate the swelling and muscle spasms. Use of diuretics in case of strong swelling, but also the need to apply medications of sodium and potassium.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is based on the following methods:
- History — is to examine the complaints of the patient and ask for time of onset, the causes, the duration, the characteristic manifestations of the disease.
- Physiological inspection:
- is made the diagnosis of body posture, gait, the amount of movement of the patient;
- are designed skin to detect areas of redness, skin flaking, skin rashes;
- palpable painful areas to determine the local temperature, the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, seals;
- for the phase detection of the radiation of pain plays percussion with the finger or a special hammer;
- tingling needle helps to define the pain and sensitivity.
Instrumental techniques for the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease:
- X-ray diagnostics plays a key role in this disease. Plain radiography allows to identify the signs of disease, such as the contraction of the gap between the vertebrae.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a research method that allows you to make an accurate diagnosis to occur in the area of the spinal processes. With its help, in particular, it is possible to identify the presence of grimestone of the disk and its location.
- Computed tomography (CT) near to their diagnostic capabilities of magnetic RESONANCE. The disadvantage of CT is the presence of the radiation load during the search.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the vertebral column?
There is a particular and the only method correct treatment of degenerative disc disease – the process in any circumstance suggests an integrated approach. If the doctor says otherwise, you should reflect on his / her professional qualifications and think to look for another technician.
A comprehensive program generally includes the following components:
- physiotherapy techniques of exposure;
- special exercises and massage;
- techniques of manual therapy;
- the drug treatment;
- reflexology, electrophoresis, etc;
- the chin-up.
Recommendations for the treatment of degenerative disc disease in the house:
- Abandon bad habits and a gradual transition towards the acquisition of healthy habits. Smoke, alcohol cause spasms, and without being bound to blood vessels, dorsal artery.
- Diet — the refusal of fat and contain cholesterol products: eggs, broth, skins of birds and pigs.
- Limit the consumption of strong coffee and the preparation, gradually switch to herbal teas and fruit juices-fruit juices.
- Choose the right mattress and pillow for sleeping, preferably with the spine.
- The restoration of the normal circulation in Zatecka muscles and discs from the massage, self-massage, a complex of physical activity, body wraps, friction, and intake of herbal infusions and distilleries, spirits of herbs.
Drugs for degenerative disc disease
Specialists in the treatment of this category of patients, doctors prescribe drugs, with the following properties: relieve inflammation, restore the function of the muscle-skeletal system, stimulate the regeneration of tissues of the intervertebral discs and cartilage and prevent the progression of degenerative disc disease.
The treatment of degenerative disc disease go to the traditional route of treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system are assigned to the FANS for the resolution of the inflammatory process of the tissues, chondroprotectors to restore the level of the synovial fluid and corticosteroids, if the first two types of drugs have been shown to be effective.
Massage
To get rid of degenerative disc disease, apply a variety of treatments, including massages. He has many useful properties — removed the muscle tone, the blood circulation in the area of the spine is stimulated, the intervertebral discs are stronger.
Chiropractic osteochondrosis
Chiropractic eliminates acute pain, helps to restore posture. One of the most used methods is visceral therapy. In the course of its execution, carried out a qualitative study of the joints, improve the processes of blood circulation, strengthens the immune system. Allows you to prevent the aggravation of various chronic diseases.
PHYSIOTHERAPY — physiotherapy
Physiotherapy exercises or TREATMENT with osteochondrosis has a value that is very large. So, specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back contribute to the formation of the corset muscle, which in turn ensures a uniform distribution of the load on the spine. Moreover, with the regular practice improves blood circulation and nutrition of tissues, including the intervertebral discs, the patient is produced, the posture, increases the amount of movement of the spine.
For physiotherapy and gymnastics brought the expected effect, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- Exercises osteochondrosis you should perform regularly.
- All the movements should be fluid and slow.
- The breathing should be smooth.
- Keep track of your heart rate.
- In case of discomfort and pain in the muscles and the spinal column is necessary to reduce the amplitude and intensity of the movements.
- Gymnastics and gymnastics you can do at any time of the day.
- For the lessons of gymnastics and medical physical to choose comfortable clothes of a natural fabric.
- Before starting to do physical therapy and gymnastics need to consult with your doctor.
Physiotherapy
It helps to effectively fight with painful manifestations in the places of localization of the pathological process. There are many varieties in the draining impact. Often resort to the use of magnetotherapy, ultrasound therapy, and also exposed to the low frequency current.
Effects from thisprocedure can be:
- the normalization of the metabolism in the affected areas;
- increase the body's resistance;
- relief from the pain;
- improvement of microcirculation in the spine and tissues and paravertebral;
- removal of edema;
- the reduction of the inflammatory process;
- improve the mobility of the spinal column.
Back pain, like any other disease of the spine requires immediate treatment. At the first sign, it is mandatory to consult an orthopedic technician. Be in health!