Currently, a huge number of people suffer from osteochondrosis. Many of them do not even know about the existing problem. Meanwhile, if you do not start treatment on time, complications will occur that will make themselves felt for the rest of your life. Osteochondrosis, like many other diseases, is "getting younger" and significantly worsens the quality of life, knocking it out of its usual rhythm.
In our article we will get to know a little about the disease itself, as well as dwell in detail on the medical method of its treatment.
Osteochondrosis and its types
Osteochondrosis is a deformation of the articular cartilage, bone tissue of the spine and intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis happens:
- lumbar (lumbosacral),
- cervical,
- chest.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- upright walking,
- curvature of the spine,
- spine injury,
- flat feet,
- Frequent lifting
- frequent changes in torso position,
- prolonged stay in uncomfortable positions,
- spinal overload,
- physical inactivity and obesity,
- malnutrition,
- stressful conditions.
Stages of osteochondrosis development
- Due to certain changes in the intervertebral disc, instability of the vertebrae appears. The spine is very prone to injury.
- The beginning of destruction of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc occurs. The intervertebral gap decreases.
- The annulus fibrosus ruptures. The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc protrudes. Due to the formation of an intervertebral hernia, deformity of the spine is provoked.
- A pronounced pain syndrome occurs. Due to the formation of bone growths and ossification of the ligaments of the spine, movements become limited.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Lumbar (lumbosacral) region
- Constant aching back pain.
- Feeling of aching and numbness in the limbs.
- Decreased physical activity.
- Increased pain when making sudden movements, lifting weights, exercising, sneezing and coughing.
Cervical region
- Pain in arms and shoulders, headaches.
- Vertebral artery syndrome (burning throbbing headache, dizziness, noise in the head, colored spots and "flies" before the eyes).
Thoracic region
- Pain in internal organs, in particular in the chest ("stake" in the chest) and heart area.
Determining the diagnosis
The diagnosis is made at a neurologist's appointment based on the patient's complaints (pain syndrome, limitation of mobility, etc. ). The spine is examined by him in the position of the patient standing, sitting and lying (at rest and in motion). When examining the back, attention is paid to the posture, structural features of the torso, the lower angles of the shoulder blades, the lateral contours of the neck and waist, the position of the shoulder girdles, etc. After that, the doctor, as a rule, directs the patient for x-ray, computed tomography or MRI, with the help of which the diagnosis is clarified and concretized, the degree of damage is determined, and hidden deviations from the norm are revealed. Based on the data obtained, the neurologist prescribes the appropriate treatment. As a rule, this is a complex therapy, which includes the use of medicines, massage, exercise therapy and other methods.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis with medicines
To begin with, it should be noted that at the initial stage of the development of osteochondrosis, in certain cases, you can do without drugs. It will be enough to use medical gymnastics, all kinds of applicators, as well as to reduce the load and eliminate other causes of the disease. If the symptoms are gaining strength, and studies have shown characteristic changes, drugs should be used to help influence both the cause and the symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with medicines is indicated during the period of its exacerbation and is aimed at relieving the inflammatory process, relieving pain and enhancing metabolic processes due to internal intake or administration of drugs using injections.
Due to the fact that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that negatively affects various organs and systems, its treatment should be comprehensive. Medicines for the treatment of osteochondrosis perform the following tasks:
- pain relief,
- removal of inflammation,
- improving blood circulation in the affected tissues,
- cartilage restoration,
- restoring mobility to joints,
- elimination of depression caused by constant pain.
So, what drugs can be prescribed by a neurologist to treat osteochondrosis?
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Eliminate inflammation and pain. They are applied externally (gel, cream), internally (capsules, tablets), as well as in the form of injections (intramuscularly, intravenously, subcutaneously).
- Vasodilators (vasodilators).
As a result of muscle tension and pain in osteochondrosis, narrowing of blood vessels occurs. In order to avoid undesirable consequences against the background of this, the doctor may prescribe vasodilator drugs for a better restorative effect.
- Muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants).
Muscle relaxants have a relaxing and calming effect on muscles. The healing process without drugs of this group proceeds more slowly, since due to their properties, blood circulation is normalized, pain sensations dull, mobility returns, and the affected tissues recover faster.
- Chondroprotectors.
Chondroprotectors do not give further destruction, they stabilize the condition. Taking chondroprotectors is long-term, lifelong, the effect occurs after treatment for a period of at least 6 months. Chondroprotectors are used externally, internally and in the form of injections.
- glucosamine
- chondroitin
- glucosamine + chondroitin
- glucosamine + chondroitin + vitamins
- Sedatives (sedatives).
Long-term pain syndrome can trigger stress and depression. In this case, valerian, motherwort, combined herbal preparations are prescribed. For more severe disorders, antidepressants are used, and hypnotics are used to improve the process of falling asleep and the quality of sleep.
- Vitamins and vitamin-mineral complexes.
B vitamins are of great importance here, as they are able to restore the sensitivity of the affected nerve fibers and reduce pain.
For the purpose of general strengthening of the body, vitamin and mineral complexes can also be prescribed.