Osteochondrosis is a common spinal disease. With its progression, degeneration and dystrophy of the discs located between the vertebrae occurs, so the tissues of the vertebrae are affected.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by painful syndromes in the cervical, spinal and lumbar regions. Neglected, pain sensations appear in the upper and lower extremities, chest and shoulders. Then muscle atrophy begins, its sensitivity is lost, dysfunction of the organs adjacent to the painful areas occurs: often the adjacent organs are compressed and displaced. If timely treatment is not started, the disease progresses and can lead to 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 curves that cause a displacement of the vertebrae.
The main cause of the disease is considered to be uneven tension in the spine. 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 (inclined);
- weak back muscles;
- rachiocampus;
- transport and lift 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;
- body hypothermia;
- hormonal changes;
- spinal injury;
- high-intensity sports;
- sudden changes in body posture.
A prerequisite for the appearance of osteochondrosis can be adverse climatic factors that negatively affect people prone to weather dependence.
Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis during remission
During remission of osteochondrosis, pain of a mild nature only occurs in uncomfortable body positions. Pain is aggravated by bending, jumping, sharp turns of the trunk or head, abruptly rising from bed. It's usually worth changing positions 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, symptoms differ from each other depending on the site of inflammation. With an exacerbation of the cervical region, the sensitivity of the skin in the neck and crown is significantly reduced, the disease is accompanied by sharp pain in the cervical area. Also, the pain syndrome is felt in the fingertips, going down the shoulder joint. When squeezing the vertebral artery, the following symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis occur:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- flies and darkening of the eyes;
- severe pain in the head;
- tinnitus, hearing loss.
Symptoms of disease inflammation in the lower back arise from compression of the spinal cord root. Depending on the area of tightness, signs of exacerbation are distinguished:
- leg and groin pain;
- decreased sensation in the legs and groin;
- shots in the lower back;
- fecal and urinary incontinence may occur;
- in women, menstrual irregularities;
- in men, decreased 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 faking. During an exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis, patients often believe they have exacerbated gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, 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 pain in the heart, pain in the arm.
Drug treatment of inflammation from osteochondrosis
At the beginning of the disease, you can do without drugs. Just use applicators, exercise therapy, reduce the load on the spine. If symptoms worsen, medication should be used.
Treatment of inflammation with drugs is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, pain and increasing metabolic processes. As osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that negatively affects many organs, its treatment must be comprehensive. For the treatment of osteochondrosis during an exacerbation, the following drugs are recommended:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Relieves pain and inflammation. Used in the form of ointments, creams, tablets, injections.
- Vasodilators. Drugs are vasodilators. Muscle stress and pain lead to vasoconstriction.
- Muscle relaxants. Drugs serve to relax the muscles. They relax and soothe the muscles, normalize blood circulation, relieve pain.
- Chondroprotectors. Medications must 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 sedatives.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes. It is very important to take B vitamins, which restore the sensitivity of nerve endings.
- For the general strengthening of the body, multivitamin complexes are prescribed.