Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the spine. With its progression, degeneration and dystrophy of the discs located between the vertebrae occur, then the tissues of the vertebrae are affected.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by pain syndromes in the cervical, spinal and lumbar regions. In a neglected form, pain sensations appear in the upper and lower extremities, chest, and shoulders. Then muscle atrophy begins, their sensitivity is lost, dysfunction of organs adjacent to the painful areas occurs: quite often the adjacent organs are compressed and displaced. If timely treatment is not started, the disease progresses and can cause disability.
Reasons for 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 shift of the vertebrae.
The main cause of the disease is considered to be uneven tension on the spinal column. 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:
- incorrect body position (stoop);
- weak back muscles;
- rachiocampsis;
- carrying and lifting heavy objects;
- being in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- genetic predisposition;
- metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins and minerals;
- exposure to infectious diseases;
- negative impact of chemicals;
- stressful situations, nervous disorders;
- hypothermia of the body;
- hormonal changes;
- spinal injury;
- high-intensity sports;
- sudden changes in body posture.
A prerequisite for the appearance of osteochondrosis may be adverse climatic factors that negatively affect people prone to meteorological dependence.
Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis during remission
During the remission of osteochondrosis, pain of a mild nature occurs only in uncomfortable positions of the body. Pain is aggravated by bending, jumping, sharp turns of the torso or head, abruptly getting out of bed. Usually it is worth changing the position, and the pain stops.
During the period of remission, 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 each other depending on the site of inflammation. With an exacerbation 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 zone. 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 occur:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- flies and darkening in the eyes;
- severe pain in the head;
- tinnitus, hearing loss.
Symptoms of inflammation of the disease in the lumbar region arise from compression of the spinal cord root. Depending on the area of squeezing, signs of exacerbation are distinguished:
- pain in the leg and groin;
- decreased sensitivity in the legs and groin;
- shootings in the lower back;
- fecal and urinary incontinence may occur;
- in women, menstrual irregularities;
- in men, a decrease in potency;
- muscle atrophy.
Signs of exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are often confused with diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs. These symptoms are also called feigning. During an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients often believe that they have exacerbated 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 sharply and become stronger during movement.
In addition, coughing and difficulty breathing may occur. Often there is a feeling of heart pain, pain in the hand.
Drug treatment of inflammation of osteochondrosis
At the beginning of the disease, you can do without drugs. It is enough to use applicators, exercise therapy, reduce the load on the spine. If symptoms worsen, medications should be used.
Treatment of inflammation with medicines is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, pain and increasing 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. The drugs are vasodilators. Muscle stress and pain lead to vasoconstriction.
- Muscle relaxants. The drugs serve to relax the muscles. They relax and soothe muscles, normalize blood circulation, relieve pain.
- Chondroprotectors. The drugs should be taken for a long time. A positive result is felt in about six months.
- Sedatives. With prolonged pain, a depressive state may occur. Valerian, motherwort, antidepressants are used as a sedative.
- 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.