Osteochondrosis of the spine: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Osteochondrosis of the spine is a fairly common disease. Contrary to popular belief, it is found not only in elderly people, but also in 20-year-olds, and the beginning of it is quite unexpected: you can feel a sharp attack of pain, bending over the fallen thing, leaning towards the table, or simply making some movement. Over the years, the likelihood of getting sick increases - among people 40-50 years there are almost no people who have never experienced pain in the neck and back.

In fact, the osteochondrosis of the spine is the changes occurring in the vertebral column itself and in the tissues near it, which affects both internal organs, nerves and muscles. Needless to say, what consequences of these transformations can be quite deplorable? Therefore, if you have any doubts, do you have osteochondrosis, please contact your doctor!

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What causes osteochondrosis of the spine?

As it was said earlier, osteochondrosis of the spine can occur in everyone, regardless of age, sex and type of activity. However, most of all suffer from it either those who daily engage in heavy physical labor, constantly burdening the spine, or, conversely, those who constantly work at the computer without spending time exercising, physical education and walking. Both the first and second cases lead to wear, muscle fatigue, improper blood circulation, which leads to disorders in the spine. Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by the appearance of back pain, which can lead to the following factors: 

• Obtained injuries; 
• Diseases of internal organs; 
• Infections; 
• Flat-footed; 
• Stress.

Whatever the reason, osteochondrosis has a certain range of symptoms.

What are the symptoms of osteochondrosis?

The problem of self-diagnosis of osteochondrosis lies in the breadth of its symptoms: patients can have absolutely different parts of the body with spine unrelated. Thus, in patients the following are most often observed: 

• Periodic pain in the back; 
• Numbness of hands and feet; 
• Discomfort in the neck, shoulder joints; 
• Painful sensations in the chest; 
• Unpleasant sensations in the heart; 
• General fatigue and malaise; 
• Headache, malaise.

Through what stages passes or takes place an osteochondrosis of a backbone?

There are four stages of the disease: 

• Washing of moisture from the pulpous core, which changes its position. At this stage, there is a violation of blood circulation. 
• Stretching muscles as a result of reducing the distance between the places of their binding. 
• Inflammation of the discs without damaging the fibrous ring (protrusion). 
• The adaptation of the spine to a new condition is the growth of neighboring vertebrae.

How to determine osteochondrosis of the spine?

In order to diagnose osteochondrosis of the spine, the doctor, first of all, talks with the patient, studying information about the way of his life, habits, special attention is paid to complaints, as some of them are characteristic "bells". Also, various tests (for example, blood and urine) may be required.

Among the modern methods of diagnosing the disease can be identified:

• Radiography; 
• Computed tomography; 
• Myelography; 
• Magnetic resonance imaging.

For greater confidence in the diagnosis of spine osteochondrosis, a patient can undergo examination from a neurologist, a cardiologist, traumatologist, gastroenterologist, etc. After determining the nature of the disease, its treatment begins, which depends on the stage.

How is osteochondrosis treated?

Osteochondrosis of the spine is most often treated by such means: chondoprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers. However, to completely get rid of the pain of some drugs is not enough. Often, doctors also prescribe a course that includes some procedures from the following list: 

• Massotherapy; 
• Manual therapy; 
• Electrophoresis; 
• Acupuncture; 
• Laser therapy; 
• Vacuum therapy; 
• Hydromassage.

For greater effect conservative treatment is added by physical therapy and a trip to the sanatorium.

How to prevent osteochondrosis of the spine?

• For the prevention of osteochondrosis, you need to follow a few simple tips: 
• Lead an active lifestyle; 
• Do not eat a lot of fatty, salty, spicy food; 
• Be engaged in pool, an exercise room; 
• Use orthopedic mattresses.

Osteochondrosis of the spine accompanies many of us, however, this does not mean that you should let him spoil your life! Therefore, with the first symptoms of the onset of the disease, it is worth starting to treat it as soon as possible!