Osteochondrosis is a pathology of the spine, the morphological substrate (basis) of which is a violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs.However, this concept is not entirely correct, because, according to Western medical terminology, this nosological form means the degeneration of the ossification centers, which is possible only in childhood.At the same time, the relevance of the question in this case does not depend on what it is called, although local doctors have a traditional opinion about the disease.In this article, we will talk about how to treat osteochondrosis at home, as well as about the prevention and diagnosis of this disease.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral openings narrow, squeezing blood vessels and nerves, and growths of bone tissue - osteophytes - appear along the edges of the vertebrae.
The morphology of the disease is quite specific.The pathology is an age-related change in the intervertebral discs, which lose their elastic properties with age and become compressed.
As a result, the vertebrae move slightly closer to each other, and the intervertebral openings through which the spinal nerves exit become narrowed, deforming them and impairing conduction.Because of this, not very typical symptoms are noticed, which consist in the manifestation of local soreness in the muscles and limbs.
Symptomatically, it is similar to radiculitis, spina bifida, tumor formations of the bony system of the spine and membranes of the spinal cord.Therefore, a visit to the doctor is necessary both to diagnose osteochondrosis and to rule out these serious pathologies.
Immediate consultation with a doctor makes sense if symptoms such as weakness in the limbs appear.If it is impossible to perform long-term operations related to the movement of the hands, osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical region, and if such symptoms are recorded for the lower extremities, then the lumbar region is affected.
It is relatively difficult to distinguish the complaints of patients with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, because autonomic disorders associated with cardialgia, impaired external breathing and symptoms of shortness of breath are most often observed there.
The diagnosis of the disease is based on taking an anamnesis.It must contain information about the workplace and working hours.Here, establishing the fact of lifting weights is of certain importance.It is impossible to establish a diagnosis by laboratory methods, because the process is essentially natural and manifests itself with aging.It is also non-inflammatory in nature.Instrumental methods include radiography of the spine in a certain part.This allows us to determine the degree of narrowing of the lumen between the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae and, accordingly, confirm the morphological substrate of the pathology.Methods such as CT and MRI can confirm the diagnosis in more detail and rule out similar nosological forms.
Treatment and prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures to prevent osteochondrosis include physical exercises related to gymnastics, running and pull-ups.At the same time, lifting weights causes the disease to worsen.It can often appear for the first time precisely during this manipulation.When lifting a load, the patient feels tingling, numbness in the limbs and in the area of the scapula.
The treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative in nature and is aimed at reducing the manifestations of symptoms, because it is almost impossible to remove the main cause.To relieve symptoms, irritants are used that reflexly increase conductivity in the nerve trunks.For the treatment of osteochondrosis at home, you can recommend ointments with menthol, paprika and mustard plasters.A heating pad can be applied topically.At the same time, physiotherapeutic methods are good in alleviating the corresponding symptoms.In particular, you can undergo electric shock sessions in the clinic.
Pharmacological treatment includes analgesic therapy and agents to improve nerve conduction.The first group of drugs includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These are drugs intramuscularly or orally.The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor.As a drug of the second group, it is an effective drug that partially reduces the lack of nerve trophism.At the same time, patients do not need any care, because daily manipulations do not cause them any special difficulties, except for physical work, which is not recommended for them.
Which doctor should I contact?
Manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine are mainly caused by compression of the root of the spinal cord that exits through narrowed openings between the processes of the vertebrae.Therefore, a neurologist traditionally treats this disease.In addition, it is advisable to contact a vertebrologist - a specialist in diseases of the spine or an orthopedist.Physiotherapist, physical therapy and massage specialist, chiropractor, osteopath, reflexologist will help in the treatment.