Today in the article we will talk about the disease of the century - osteochondrosis (in ordinary people called chondrosis). Previously, this disease was attributed to people over 50, but now it is "younger" and affects everyone, starting with 15-year-old children.
As terrible as it may seem, more and more people are being diagnosed with osteochondrosis. According to statistics, almost 80% of the inhabitants of the planet Earth suffer from this disease of the spine.
Learn more about the disease of civilization and how to live with it later in the article.
What is osteochondrosis?
This is a disease of the bones and cartilage, manifested by degenerative-dystrophic disorders of the cartilaginous structures of the spine, resulting in severe pain.
These degenerative disorders, in other words, changes in the spine occur under the influence of normal life factors, that is, simply because we are doing something, standing, walk, move, carry heavy things, etc. Our spine constantly performs the hardest work, it performs three main functions: support, protection (protects the spinal cord) and cushioning function during walking and other other body movements due to intervertebral discs.
Gradually, during life, the cartilage wears out, loses moisture, which causes micro tears. There is a change in the height of the intervertebral discs and the vertebrae begin to irritate the spinal nerve causing pain attacks.
When the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, an excessive load on it leads to its so-called protrusion and a hernia appears. It begins to affect the spinal nerve even more, in these cases, if we speak, for example, of cervical chondrosis, the pain radiates to the hands, numbness of the fingers is felt.
If you experience pain in your neck, thoracic spine or lower back, we recommend that you contact a neurologist or vertebrologist, who deals specifically with diseases associated with the spine. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you will get rid of pain and reduce the risk of complications.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis can develop for various reasons. Experts who study this disease believe that the main reason is the uneven and incorrect distribution of the load on the spine. Due to this, in places of overload, a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs is observed.
However, there are other reasons that contribute to the development of the disease:
- heredity;
- age-related changes;
- congenital injuries or lesions of the spine;
- metabolic failure, overweight;
- flat foot;
- rachiocampus;
- concussions;
- various infectious diseases;
- overload of the spine during sports;
- exposure to chemicals.
There are also so-called risk factors, the presence of which can provoke the development of the disease:
- daily driving a car or working at a computer;
- improved and serious training in the gym;
- excess body weight;
- poor eating habits;
- not very active lifestyle;
- smoking;
- hypothermia;
- nervous shocks;
- incorrect posture;
- uncomfortable shoes and high heels;
- dragging weights;
- weak back muscles;
- dependence on the weather, living in unsuitable climatic conditions.
If you belong to one of these risk groups, be sure to take the prevention of osteochondrosis (about a little lower) in order to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
Types and Symptoms
In total, there are four types of osteochondrosis. We will talk about it in this section.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region
It is considered the most dangerous type of disease, since the cervical vertebrae are very mobile, and even a small load can move them. What is the danger? The fact is that it is here that the vertebral artery passes - it is a vessel that affects the pressure and state of the brain. This artery irrigates the areas of the brain responsible for blood pressure, the rhythm of heart contractions and vestibular stability. When the vertebrae are displaced, the artery is pinched, which disrupts blood flow, respectively, the brain no longer receives enough blood. The consequence is headaches, flashing black dots ("flies") in the eyes, dizziness, jumping pressure, memory impairment and a decrease in mental abilities in general.
Pain in the neck, which radiates to the shoulder, under the scapula, the arm, the fingers become numb.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
This is a rather rare disease, since the thoracic spine is the least mobile and is well protected by the ribs and muscles. The cause of the development of osteochondrosis of the chest region is often scoliosis (curvature of the spine). It is quite difficult to recognize this particular disease, since its symptoms are very similar to other diseases, often thoracic osteochondrosis causes pain in the region of the heart, which mimics the symptoms of angina pectoris.
This condition is manifested by pain in the spine between the shoulder blades, numbness and weakness in the muscles of the arms, shooting and aching pains in the area of the chest ribs, aggravated by deep inspiration.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
It is considered the most common type of disease - lumbar osteochondrosis, since the greatest load falls on this particular part of the ridge. The lower back suffers the most from a sedentary lifestyle. Due to pinched nerves in this part of the spine, a person experiences sharp or persistent aching pain in the lower back, usually it radiates down the back of the thigh and buttocks, down to the lower leg.
Attacks of pain are accompanied by numbness in the toes, tingling, crawling in the back of the legs. The normal functioning of the genitourinary system and intestines is disturbed.
Generalized osteochondrosis of the spine
It is characterized by the defeat of two or all three sections of the ridge at the same time.
steps
In this section we will talk about the degrees of development of the disease and how they manifest themselves. There are 4 stages of spinal disease in modern medicine:
- 1 step
At the first stage, it is quite difficult to diagnose this disease and, in principle, to suspect it in itself. Patients feel general discomfort in the back and often attribute it to overwork, hard work, stress and do not even think about going to the doctor. The disease generally evolves slowly and in a latent form, it is often discovered by chance, during a general examination of the patient (X-ray or MRI).
- 2 floors
The second stage is characterized by the occurrence of painful attacks, since the process of cartilage destruction begins. In the absence of treatment, the size of the intervertebral discs in the patient rapidly decreases, they protrude slightly, this stage precedes the formation of a hernia. There is compression of the nerve roots, in fact, therefore, there is a pain syndrome.
- 3 steps
In the third stage, patients experience severe changes in the spine. The development of lordosis, scoliosis, curvature of the upper part of the ridge (kyphosis), a hump begins, a herniation of the intervertebral disc appears. Appropriate therapy, of course, will no longer be able to completely restore the spine, however, it will decently improve its condition and reduce defects, such as a hump or curvature.
- 4 steps
If the disease has reached the fourth stage, then there are already irreversible changes in the spine. It becomes difficult to move, because every movement causes terrible pain. Cartilage is compacted, vertebrae are displaced, bone tissue grows. Often at this stage patients receive a disability.
Medical treatment
After a specialist (orthopedist, neuropathologist, vertebrologist) makes a comprehensive diagnosis and diagnoses osteochondrosis, he prescribes a complex therapy, which includes various treatment methods. With the right combination of them, you can achieve very good results in the treatment:
- Preparations
First of all, the treatment is aimed at relieving pain attacks, for this, painkillers and local painkillers are prescribed. Then anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antioxidant therapy is carried out. After you need to restore normal blood circulation.
- exercise therapy
When the drug treatment is over and the inflammation is suppressed, you can and should take courses of exercise therapy. In principle, you can do the exercises at home on your own, but it is better to first train with a specialist, and then apply the knowledge gained at home.
- Manual therapy
Manual therapy is also very useful, it allows to increase the distance between the vertebrae, to release pinched nerves and blood vessels, to facilitate and accelerate the healing of tissues. The displaced vertebrae are removed. The main thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a chiropractor is whether they have a medical degree, a neurologist's certificate, and a chiropractor's certificate. If at least something is missing, you should not be treated by this specialist.
- Acupuncture
Reflexology (acupuncture) is no less effective. It can be said that it produces a miraculous effect, almost from the first session you will feel its analgesic effect, swelling will subside in the place of a pinched nerve and muscle spasms caused by an attack of pain will be relieved. Relieves inflammation, eliminates numbness in the fingers, characteristic of this disease, restores the passage of nerve signals.
- stone therapy
Stone therapy or stone therapy warms the muscles very well, improves blood circulation and nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
- Magnetotherapy
With magnetic therapy, the patient will also be able to feel much better. It helps reduce blood viscosity, improve nutrition of damaged tissues, reduce swelling, restore mobility and much more.
- Swimming pool
Quite often, patients are recommended special exercises in the pool, as well as floating - this procedure allows you to completely relax the spine due to the presence of saline solution, due to which the patient "floats" and anythe load is removed from the spine.
In principle, to prevent osteochondrosis, you can go to float in any SPA salon, this service is offered almost everywhere.
- Operation
In extremely severe cases, an operation is prescribed, during which the hernia and affected discs are removed and the structure of the spine is stabilized. The surgery is a big risk for the patient, so it is performed in an emergency.
At an early stage of osteochondrosis, you can quickly get rid of it, and you only have to do some exercises to prevent its further development. The complex of therapies will be selected by the attending physician, taking into account all the characteristics of your body.
Home treatment
As we mentioned just above, it is important to perform the first exercise therapy exercises under the supervision of a specialist so as not to overload the spine. But after a few sessions, you can do the exercises at home.
After home gymnastics, people with a diagnosis of spinal disease are advised to do self-massage, you can ask a loved one to help you.
You need to start with gentle movements along the entire spine. Then the muscles of the neck, chest and lower back are kneaded in circular or pinching movements, it is not necessary to press hard with your fingertips. You can also rub the spaces between the ribs, also without pressing hard.
It is very important if you have a disease, which we talk about in the article, to eat right. What diet to follow and what foods are best excluded from the diet in the next section.
Diet for osteochondrosis
Proper nutrition for chondrosis includes the use of products containing substances that promote the formation of cartilage in the spine - mucopolysaccharides. Most of them are in various jellies, jellies, fish jellies. For dessert, jelly is perfect, in which the main ingredient is gelatin, and it, in turn, is saturated with mucopolysaccharide.
In addition, you need to drink plenty of water, its lack leads to damage to the intervertebral discs, which leads to the first manifestations of the disease.
Vegetables and fruits are one of the most important foods for chondrosis, their use is necessary for the proper functioning of the ridge. They contain polyunsaturated fatty acids that the body needs.
What can and should you eat?
The body needs many trace elements:
- One of them is calcium, it is found in milk, almonds, hard cheeses, cottage cheese, legumes.
- Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium: eggs, sea fish, butter. In addition, it is recommended to expose yourself often to the sun.
- Calcium is stored in bone tissue only with a sufficient amount of magnesium in the body; it is found in cucumbers, nuts and avocados.
- In addition, it is important to eat foods containing phosphorus: fish, soybeans, peas, white cabbage.
- B vitamins are also very important for our disease, to have them you have to eat: beef, pork, mushrooms, seafood, cereals. Vitamin A is also useful and is found in carrots, melons, pumpkins and liver.
In general, as you can see, the diet is not terrible, you will not have to starve, you will only have to exclude something from your menu, but there is enough to replace theseproducts.
What is not recommended to use
- The first thing to say is to reduce the amount of salt consumed. Especially if you suffer from cervical osteochondrosis, a salt-free diet will help.
- Prohibitions also include pickles, semi-finished products, spicy foods, pickles.
- Sweet, like salt, slows blood circulation, and if we already have a disturbed blood supply to the brain, sweets will only make the situation worse.
- We exclude coffee and all kinds of sodas from the menu, as they do a very good job of removing calcium from the body, as well as potassium, magnesium and other important minerals.
And, of course, it is very important to monitor your weight, especially with lumbar chondrosis, since the lumbar region already bears all the main load, and if the body weight is large, imagine how difficult it is for it to dofaces!
The diet can also be observed as a preventive measure, even if you do not have a diagnosis of osteochondrosis, all the vitamins and minerals indicated in the chondrosis diet will in any case be very useful for your body.
Listen carefully to your body and don't be afraid to seek help from doctors if needed.
We wish you good health!