Today in the article we will talk about the disease of the century - about osteochondrosis (commonly called chondrosis). Previously, this disease was attributed to people over 50 years old, but now it is "young" and affects everyone from the age of 15.
As terrible as it may seem, more and more people are diagnosed with osteochondrosis. According to statistics, almost 80% of the inhabitants of the planet Earth suffer from this disease of the spine.
Read more about the disease of civilization and how to live with it later in the article.
What is osteochondrosis?
This is a bone and cartilage disease, manifested by degenerative-dystrophic disorders of the cartilage 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 doing something, standing, walking, moving, carrying heavy objects, etc. the heaviest work, performs three main functions: supporting, protective (protects the spinal cord) and cushioning function during walking and other body movements due to the intervertebral discs.
Gradually, throughout life, the cartilage wears out, loses moisture, which causes microtears. There is a change in the height of the intervertebral discs, and the vertebra begins to irritate the spinal nerve, which causes pain attacks.
When the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity, excessive load on it causes it to pop out and appear as a hernia. It begins to affect the spinal nerve more, in these cases, for example, if we talk about cervical chondrosis, the pain spreads to the hands, numbness of the fingers is felt.
If you experience pain in the neck, chest, or back, we recommend that you contact a neurologist or vertebrologist who specializes in diseases related to the spine. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you will get rid of the pain and reduce the risk of complications.
Reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis can develop for various reasons. Experts investigating this disease believe that the main reason is the uneven and improper distribution of the load on the spine. Therefore, there is a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs in places of overload.
But there are other reasons that contribute to the development of the disease:
- heredity;
- age-related changes;
- spine injuries or birth defects;
- metabolic deficiency, overweight;
- straight legs;
- rachiocampis;
- tremors;
- various infectious diseases;
- overloading of the spine during sports;
- exposure to chemicals.
There are also risk factors, the presence of which can lead to the development of the disease:
- daily driving or working on a computer;
- intensified, rigorous training in the gym;
- excess body weight;
- unhealthy diet;
- not a very active lifestyle;
- to smoke;
- hypothermia;
- nervous shocks;
- incorrect posture;
- uncomfortable shoes and high heels;
- drag weights;
- weakness of back muscles;
- weather dependence, living in an unsuitable climate.
If you belong to one of these risk groups, engage in the prevention of osteochondrosis to prevent the development of osteochondrosis (about it a little below).
Types and symptoms
There are four types of osteochondrosis in total. We will talk about them in this section.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical region
This is considered the most dangerous type of disease, because the cervical vertebrae are very mobile, and even a small load can cause them to shift. What is the danger? The fact is that the vertebral artery passes here - it is a vessel that affects the pressure and condition of the brain. This artery supplies blood to the parts of the brain responsible for blood pressure, heart rate, and vestibular stability. When the vertebrae are displaced, the artery is compressed, due to which the blood flow is disturbed, accordingly, the brain no longer receives enough blood. The result is headaches, flashing black dots ("flies") in the eyes, dizziness, jumping pressure, memory impairment, and a general decrease in mental abilities.
Pain at the back of the neck spreading to the shoulder, under the shoulder blade, arm, fingers are numb.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
This is a very rare disease, because the thoracic spine is the least mobile and is well protected by the ribs and muscles. The reason for the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is often scoliosis (curvature of the spine). It is quite difficult to recognize this particular disease, because its symptoms are very similar to other diseases, often chest osteochondrosis causes pain in the heart region, which mimics the symptoms of angina pectoris.
This disease is manifested by pain in the spine between the shoulder blades, numbness and weakness of the muscles in the arms, stabbing, aching pain in the region of the chest ribs, which is intensified by deep inspiration.
Osteochondrosis of the back
It is considered the most common type of disease - lumbar osteochondrosis, because the greatest load falls on this particular part of the spine. The lower back suffers most from a sedentary lifestyle. Due to the pinched nerves in this part of the spine, a person feels a constant sharp or aching pain in the lower back, usually spreading to the back of the thigh and hip, lower leg.
Pain attacks are accompanied by numbness of the toes, tingling, creeping crawling behind the legs. The normal functioning of the genitourinary system and intestines is disturbed.
Widespread osteochondrosis of the spine
It is characterized by simultaneous defeat of two or all three parts of the chain.
stages
In this section, we will talk about the stages of development of the disease and how they manifest themselves. In modern medicine, there are 4 stages of spinal disease:
- 1 stage
At the first stage, it is quite difficult to diagnose this disease and, in principle, to suspect oneself. Patients feel general discomfort in the lower back and often associate it with too much work, hard work, stress and do not think to go to the doctor. The disease usually proceeds in a slow and hidden form, often it is discovered accidentally during a general examination of the patient (x-ray or MRI).
- 2 stages
The second stage is characterized by the occurrence of pain attacks as the cartilage destruction process begins. In the absence of treatment, the size of the intervertebral discs in the patient decreases rapidly, they protrude slightly, this stage precedes the formation of a hernia. There is a compression of the nerve roots, in fact, that is why there is a pain syndrome.
- 3 stages
In the third stage, patients experience serious changes in the spine. Development of lordosis, scoliosis, curvature of the upper part of the spine (kyphosis), a hump begins, a hernia of the intervertebral disc appears. Correct therapy, of course, will not be able to completely restore the spine, but it will improve its condition and reduce defects such as a hump or curvature.
- 4 stages
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 excruciating pain. Cartilage is compressed, vertebra is displaced, bone tissue grows. Often at this stage, patients are given disability.
Treatment
A specialist (orthopedist, neuropathologist, vertebrologist) after making a complete diagnosis and diagnosing osteochondrosis prescribes a complex therapy that includes various treatment methods. With their correct combination, you can get very good results in treatment:
- Preparations
First of all, treatment is aimed at eliminating pain attacks, for which analgesics and local pain relievers are prescribed. Then anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant therapy is carried out. Then you need to restore normal blood circulation.
- exercise therapy
When the drug treatment is finished and the inflammation is removed, you can and should go to exercise therapy classes, in principle, you can do the exercises yourself at home, but it is better to deal with a specialist first, and then apply. knowledge acquired at home.
- Manual therapy
Manual therapy is also very useful, it helps to increase the distance between the vertebrae, release compressed nerves and blood vessels, facilitate and speed up tissue healing. Displaced vertebrae are removed. The main thing you should look for when choosing a chiropractor is whether he has a medical degree, a neuropathologist certificate and a chiropractic certificate. If at least one thing is missing, you should not be treated by this specialist.
- Acupuncture
Reflexology (acupuncture) is no less effective. It can be said that it has a miraculous effect, you will feel its pain-relieving effect almost from the first session, the swelling in the place of the pinched nerve will decrease, and the muscle spasm caused by the pain attack will disappear. It removes inflammation, removes the numbness of the fingers characteristic of this disease, and restores the transmission of nerve signals.
- Stone therapy
Stone therapy or stone therapy warms the muscles very well, improves blood flow and nutrition of the intervertebral discs.
- Magnetotherapy
With magnetotherapy, the patient will also be able to feel better. It helps to reduce blood viscosity, improve nutrition of damaged tissues, reduce swelling, restore mobility, etc.
- Swimming pool
Often, patients are recommended special exercises in the pool, as well as floating - this procedure allows the spine to completely relax due to being in a saline solution, thanks to which the patient "floats" and all the burdens are removed from the body. spine.
In principle, as a prevention of osteochondrosis, you can go to floats in any SPA-salon, this service is offered almost everywhere.
- Operation
In extremely severe cases, surgery is prescribed, during which the herniated and affected discs are removed and the spinal structure is stabilized. Surgery is performed in emergency cases because it is a big risk for the patient.
In the early stage of osteochondrosis, you can quickly get rid of it, and you only need to do some exercises to prevent its redevelopment. The treatment complex will be selected by the attending physician taking into account all the characteristics of your body.
Treatment at home
As we mentioned above, it is important to carry out the first exercises of exercise therapy under the supervision of a specialist in order not to overload the spine. But after a few sessions, you can do the exercises at home.
After gymnastics at home, people with a diagnosis of spinal column disease are recommended to self-massage, you can ask for help from relatives.
You need to start with soft strokes along the entire spine. Then, the muscles in the neck, chest and back area are kneaded with circular movements or pinching, it is not necessary to press hard with the fingertips. You can also rub the spaces between the ribs without pressing hard.
If you have a disease that we mentioned in the article, it is very important to eat right. In the next part, which diet to follow and which foods are best excluded from the diet.
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 jelly, jelly, jellied fish. Jelly is perfect for sweets, the main ingredient is gelatin, which in turn is saturated with mucopolysaccharide.
In addition, it is necessary to drink a lot of water, its lack causes 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 healthy functioning of the spine. They contain a lot of unsaturated fatty acids that the body needs.
What can you eat and what should you eat?
The body needs many trace elements:
- One of them is calcium, found in milk, almonds, hard cheeses, cottage cheese, and legumes.
- Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium: eggs, sea fish, butter. In addition, frequent exposure to the sun is recommended.
- 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 get it you need to eat: beef, pork, mushrooms, seafood, cereals. Vitamin A is also beneficial and is found in carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin and liver.
In general, as you can see, the diet is not terrible, you will not starve, you just need to exclude something from your menu, but there is something to replace these products.
What is not recommended to use
- The first thing to say is to reduce the amount of salt consumed. Especially if there is cervical osteochondrosis, then a salt-free diet will be useful.
- Prohibitions include marinades, semi-finished products, spicy foods, pickles.
- Sweet, like salt, slows blood circulation, and if we already have impaired blood supply to the brain, then sweets will aggravate the situation.
- We exclude coffee and all kinds of soda from the menu, because they very well remove 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, because the lumbar region already takes all the main load, and if the body weight is large, imagine how difficult it is to cope with it!
The diet can also be observed as a preventive measure, even if there is no diagnosis of osteochondrosis, all the vitamins and minerals indicated in the chondrosis diet will be very useful for your body anyway.
Listen carefully to your body and do not hesitate to ask for help from doctors if necessary.
We wish you good health!