Osteochondrosis – causes, symptoms and methods of treatment of the disease

21 April 2020

The disease is degenerative disc disease – what it is, causes, stages, ways and methods of treatment, let us discuss in this article.

The disease is degenerative disc disease – description and methods of treatment

According to modern medical statistics, at present osteochondrosis suffer from almost 90% of the population of the planet.

In this number are included also people with minor manifestations of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease, and those in whom the disease has gone much further, and causes no painful suffering and pain.

Doctors of all the countries are sounding the alarm: in recent years, this disease significantly "younger", and now the average age of developing degenerative disc disease – that's 30 years!!!

But most disturbing, according to doctors is that under adverse conditions signs of degenerative disc disease can manifest itself even at an earlier period of life, and especially, if they are present longer, uneven helena excessive load on the back and legs, as well as the consequences of the injury.

What is osteochondrosis?

With the progression (development) of a degenerative disk diseases, these degenerative-degenerative slaughter shall also apply to tissue of the vertebrae.

The main character, who must warn you – it is the emergence of painful sensations in the neck, back, in the lumbar.

Often the pain "gives away" in the arms, the chest, the shoulders and in the upper part of the thigh, etc.

It's all clearly talking about the fact that in the spine started pathological changes and it is necessary to take urgent measures, until the disease is not gone too far, after all, the negative dynamics of the degenerative disc disease is possible:

atrophy of muscle tissue;
violation of the sensitivity;
a violation of the functioning of the internal organs;
the displacement of internal organs, and so on

In the absence of timely treatment of osteochondrosis develops into an incurable condition!!!

Causes of degenerative disc disease

The main factor in the development of degenerative disc disease – this is the uneven load on the spine.

A common cause of improper (uneven) load distribution on the spine is used:

the habit of wearing a bag on one shoulder helena in one hand;
improper posture of your body in a sitting position;
sleep on a too soft mattress;
sleep on a high pillow;
fit anatomically wrong kinds of shoes.

Other factors of risk also include:

physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle);
the presence of excess weight;
a back injury;
injuries of the lower extremities;
flat feet;
any further violations of the musculoskeletal system;
senile degenerative processes in the spine which worsens the blood supply of the vertebral column.

In the etiology (origin) degenerative disc disease may play a role factors such as:

physical effort your body;
neuro-emotional exhaustion;
metabolic disorders, poisoning, unhealthy food, alcohol, medicines, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract – all of this interferes with the normal and proper absorption of nutrients from food;
professional risks (of employment, which leads to a unhealthy and regular load on the spine, in which the incorrect posture for a long time helena occurs short-term, but superstrong load);
genetic predisposition (the percentage of small, but the probability is possible);
disorders holding your body in the period of active growth of the organism;
not revealing the time helena is not treated in a timely scoliosis in children;
wearing tight, uncomfortable footwear and boots at heels higher than 3 cm;
long and/helena regular dehydration of the organism;
handicapped and is not a balanced diet, hypovitaminosis;
smoking;
pregnancy (especially multiple) in combination with undeveloped muscle-ligamentous unit: because of the displacement of the center of gravity of your body begin to degenerative processes in the spine.

Stages of development of degenerative disc disease

Develops, osteochondrosis always goes through four stages:

The first phase is characterized by the appearance of the pathology in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Because of the unnatural load begins the process of dehydration (dehydration) of the nucleus, which sees to reduce the height of the intervertebral discs and the formation of cracks fibrous rings.Symptoms in this stage are usually absent helena is very small – you may experience slight discomfort during a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable static posture of your body during the active movement and so on
During the second phase of the disease creates discomfort in the form of painful feelings, especially when certain types of loads, movements and positions of your body. During the second phase is the reduction of the distance between the vertebrae and sagging vertebrate muscles and ligaments. It all causes an increased mobility of the vertebrae with the affected discs, which are very dangerous and threatens their shift helena slippage.
The third stage of the degenerative disc disease is characterized by the formation of the prolapse and protrusion. It may be accompanied by subluxation and/helena the development of arthrosis of the joints of the intervertebral. While certain movements may feel stiffness and lack of mobility. In the extremities may experience feelings of tingling and numbness. At this stage, degenerative disc disease is distinctly feel the pain in the back, in the neck, in the lower part of the back and in the sacral spine, in the coccyx (all depends on the localization of the affected disc).
In the fourth stage, degenerative disc disease, the body tries to adapt to the consequences of hypermobility (excessive mobility) of the vertebrae, begins to adapt to impaired functioning of the spinal pillar, and in places of contact of the vertebrae to form osteophytes (new bone formation) with the aim of improving the fixation of the vertebrae.

But, unfortunately, in many cases, osteophytes cause impaction nerves, and still more injure the vertebrae. Which in the intervertebral discs and joints of the starting fibrous ankylosis.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease

The main symptoms of degenerative disc disease – it is a feeling of discomfort and/helen pain in the neck and back.

How will be a significant discomfort, but also, what other symptoms will manifest during the development of degenerative disc disease depends on the stage of the disease and from each individual case.

Pathology of the intervertebral discs of the cervical and lumbar occur significantly more often than degenerative and degenerative changes in the area of the sternum.

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:

regular helena the feeling of permanent fatigue back pain;
a slight helena pronounced (depending on the stage of the disease) a syndrome of pain in the neck, back, chest, shoulder belt;
difficult, bound movement of the upper limbs.

The clinical picture of degenerative disc disease is largely dependent on the localization (positioning) of the pathology, stage of development, from the individual characteristics of the patients.

Pathology of the intervertebral disc, the bias, protrusion, hernia and growth of osteophytes lead to different consequences.

Among the most common – it is a violation of the normal blood circulation in the tissues, pinching of the nerve endings, dysfunction of the spinal canal, swelling, fibrosis of tissues and structures.

These impacts may be accompanied by a huge variety of different symptoms, which sees the difficulty in accurate diagnosis of the disease.

The most common symptoms of degenerative disc disease includes the following manifestations:

feelings of pain in the back, the neck, the lower part of the back, in the area of the shoulder belt, in the area of the ribs;
discomfort and stiffness in movements of the trunk, which arise when certain positions of your body: the slopes, in the corners, while the increase in muscle tension;
a feeling of numbness of the upper and lower limbs;
muscle and promptly nausea, muscle cramps;
headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue;
pain in the region of the heart;
violation of the sensitivity of the hands;
muscle weakness.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease vary depending on where it is localized pathology:

In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine to dominate pain in neck, in hand, in the shoulder girdle, that I can "go back" in the area of the scapula and shoulder. Are also present headaches, dizziness, flashing "flies" helena spots before the eyes, humming in the ears.
When the loss of the parent department of the head localized in the chest area, the heart, the internal surface of the shoulder, in the armpit. Possible discomfort when breathing, shortness of breath.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine manifested by pain in the lower part of the back with "this, that" pain in the legs, in the upper part of the thigh, on the organs of small pelvis. Quite often join to sexual dysfunction.

Important!!! Superficial symptoms – such as fatigue and back pain – they can testify not only about the availability of, degenerative disc disease, but also about the accession of other diseases of the helena development of other pathological processes and disorders associated with dmd intervertebral discs, and therefore is a diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" must give only a specialist, and I, at similar signs it is unacceptable!!!

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The diagnosis of degenerative disc disease

For the determination of an accurate diagnosis is specialist assigns of such instrumental methods of survey, such as:

an x-ray of the spine;
if it is necessary – myelography of the spine;
neurological examination of the sensitivity and reflexes of the spine.

Other methods, which can be prescribed by a doctor, make a diagnosis and stage of the pathological processes was determined as accurately as possible, include:

computed tomography of the spine;
nuclear magnetic resonance;
magnetic-resonance tomography.

Directions in therapy in the treatment of degenerative disc disease – how to cure the disease

The appropriate treatment is always based only on a comprehensive approach. It is designed on the basis of the extent to tweak the degenerative disc disease in any case, and on the health status of the particular patient.

Conservative treatment of the disease consists of the use of medicines and the implementation of the complex of therapeutic corrective exercises.

Surgical treatment in virtually any situation, cannot be the method of first choice.

Surgical treatment is appointed only in the absence of positive dynamics and active progression of the disease on the background of relatively long-lasting conservative therapy, no positive changes in the direction of improvement.

In addition to medical methods of treatment it is necessary to adhere to a certain diet and take other measures, which are very important and necessary for healing.

Conservative treatment of degenerative disc disease

Conservative therapy is focused on relief (removal) of pain syndrome, the normalization of the function of the spine and on the prevention of negative changes in the future.

In the conservative treatment of degenerative disc disease are the following types of therapy:

Medical therapy

Medicinal remedies in osteochondrosis is true for the relief of pain, elimination of inflammation in the tissues and normalize the metabolic processes in the body, improve blood circulation in the tissues and their regeneration.

When strongly expressed pain syndrome helena, in the case of acute complications can be assigned to the drug blockade of the nerve endings that also contribute to a reduction in the severity of muscle stiffness.

Important!!! It is necessary to clearly understand that the disease is degenerative disc disease can not be cured only by ingestion of drugs!!!

Know that in the absence of explicit degenerative changes and explicit pain syndrome, intake of drugs can be considered as unjustified. This information can help you to avoid improperly designed treatment for non-qualified professionals.

Medicinal products, which are used for the relief of pain and the treatment of degenerative disc disease:

the anti-inflammatory group of drugs;
medications-antispasmodics;
medication-anti-oxidants (vitamins);
funds for the improvement of blood circulation in the tissues;
products for regeneration and/helena the prevention of degeneration of the cartilage.

Medications can be set apart in the form of ointments, creams for local application in painful feelings, in the form of tablets for oral in the form of injections, and in the form of a medicinal patch, forming painful and increases the condition of the patient quite a long time without the side effects that occur while taking the pills, and the use of injections.

The patch from back pain and osteochondrosis

At this moment there are such medicinal patches for pain:

the patch with the irritant (pepper band-aid, mustard plasters).
patch with reflective action (the impregnation of the heat).
patch with analgesic properties on the basis of: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory means, on the basis of the anesthetics local action, on the basis of medicinal herbs and supplements (nanoplastyri).
the patch-based chondroprotectors.
the patch together, place the exposure.

Medicinal patches have a number of advantages:

the almost complete absence of contraindications;
no side effects;
exemption from the burden on the digestive tract, which arises in the use of oral means of treatment, which is especially important in the presence of already existing disease;
comfort when using;
maintain a relatively long the effect of anesthesia – from 12 to 24 hours;
the absence of toxic effects on the body (especially for chinese medicinal drugs against pain repair based on organic ingredients);
and many other benefits.

Rehabilitation methods.

Help to reduce the feelings of pain and increase the effect of drugs. In the treatment of osteochondrosis most common application of ultrasonic waves, magnetic fields, currents of low frequency, laser beams and so on

Methods of therapeutic physical education (LTV) and kinesitherapy (treatment by motion). Method LTV and kinesiotherapy procedures, are aimed at the normalization of metabolic processes, restoring the varied diet of the intervertebral disc, use of the position of the vertebrae and the discs between them, on the uniform distribution of the load of the locomotive engine device.

Methods therapeutic massage. Massage is used to improve the blood circulation of tissues, release muscle spasm and clamps, for general improvement of blood circulation.

Hydromassage, as one of the types of therapeutic massage, supplements method mua massage (for hands) and also contributes to the normalization of the functioning of the entire nervous system.

Therapy by the method of traction (traction) of the spine with the help of special equipment. The aim of such manipulations is to increase the intervertebral space to normal-size and clear violation of the spinal rod.

Proper diet in osteochondrosis

The task of diet in diseases of the osteochondrosis – improve the metabolism, to saturate your body with essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, inclusion of foods with a high content of antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids and substances, which contribute to the regeneration of cartilage.

Drinking regime during illness is very important and includes drinking clean water in the calculation is 30 ml for each kilogram of body weight of the individual, evenly distributed throughout the day (the main part of the water is recommended to drink in the morning).

Eat it should be fractional, 5-6 times per day. The basis of the diet – milk and dairy products, lean meat, poultry, fish, fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds, cereals, herbs in large quantities and mushrooms.

Especially recommended for inclusion into the food of meat and fish, jellies, jelly, water dishes, use olive oil first cold pressed, without heat treatment (for salad dressings, etc.).

Priority food processing methods – for a few, baking, warka. Limit flour, sweet, fatty, spicy, salty, canned and smoked. Coffee, strong tea, sweet carbonated drinks and alcohol – a complete taboo!

What are the possible complications of osteochondrosis?

If unfair to adhere to prescribed by a doctor the treatment of either long to avoid visiting a specialist and examination, then it will clearly promote the progression of the disease and provoking complications, pathologies and new diseases, such as:

herniation of the intervertebral disc (herniation of the spine);
of the extrusion;
kyphosis;
radiculitis;
the salt deposits in the intervertebral space;
stroke, spinal cord injury;
decrease in muscle mass of the limbs, atrophy of the muscles due to disorders of blood circulation;
paralysis of the lower limbs and disability.

Prevention of degenerative disc disease

Recommended to stick to the general rules of a healthy lifestyle and:

exclude physical inactivity and increase physical activity;
during prolonged stay in a static position it is necessary to take breaks to warm-up every 45 minutes to restore blood flow in the spine;
it is necessary to choose the right chairs and armchairs with providing support for the spine, the attention to the position of the hands on the table and fingers on the floor, learn to do not exceed your possession of your body (flat back, slack shoulders);
for a night's sleep is a need to collect is a flexible, best orthopedic mattress and pillow;
in the case of the need to improve and/helena carry heavy objects, while playing the power to strictly adhere to the technique of security;
choose the right orthopedic shoes;
at every opportunity to walk barefoot on an uneven surface: it strengthens the leg muscles and relaxes tension with the musculoskeletal system;
to eat right, stay hydrated;
study the method of total relaxation: it will ease the tension the muscles;
regularly take courses a tonic massage.

Let's hope that the disease is a degenerative disease of the disc pass you by.

Be healthy!