With back pain complaints, patients turn to doctors almost more often than with a cold.The discomfort in the lumbar column can be a symptom of several diseases, but in 80% of cases, doctors diagnose: osteochondrosis.Both men and women from 30 to 50 years and older face him.Recently, osteochondrosis is diagnosed in patients under 25 years.Prevention, symptoms and treatment of this disease will be analyzed in detail in this article.
It was previously believed that osteochondrosis is inevitability and spine disorders caused by age -related changes.Modern medicine considers osteochondrosis as a disease that requires treatment and can be prevented, then postponed for many years.
Causes
It is believed that, as such, the cause of lumbar osteochondrosis cannot be distinguished.The development of the disease triggers a set of factors, among which they distinguish:
- A sedentary lifestyle.Working on the computer, the lack of physical exercises, avoiding hiking contributes to the fact that the back muscles are weakening and increases the load in the spine.
- Violation of metabolism and endocrine system disease.These processes worsen the nutrition of the spine tissues.
- Existing diseases of the musculoskeletal system:Flat feet, curvature of the spine.
- Excessive physical activity, especially weightlifting.The risk zone includes athletes involved in heavy athletics, engines, work professions associated with the transport of goods.
- Incorrect nutrition, excess weight, insufficient sleep, stress.
Degree of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis develops gradually:
- In the first stage, the spring core inside the vertebral disc begins to change.As a result, a person feels pain, since nerve endings in the fibrous ring are compressed.The pain can be local and sharp, like a shutter or long and silly.
- The second stage begins with the destruction of the fibrous ring.The vertebrae become unstable, mobile, they cannot fully fulfill their function.The muscles surrounding the column are in continuous tension.Patients feel fatigue, Achs back like after hard work.
- In the third stage in the development of osteochondrosis, the fibrous ring breaks, the core of the jacket and the hernia of the disc is formed.At this time, patients point out severe back pain, limiting movement.This occurs due to the compression of nerve roots with fragments that fall.
- The fourth stage of the disease brings imaginary relief: patients stop experiencing painful pain, although motor activity is still limited.The question arises from disability.
- In the last stage of osteochondrosis, bone tissue begins to grow pathologically.
Osteochondrosis cannot be considered frivolous diseases that require minimal intervention.In case of pain in the lumbar column, you should consult a doctor who selects treatment depending on the stage.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The first symptom to which patients pay attention is immediately pain.Its intensity depends on the stage of the disease, as well as the degree of destruction of the intervertebral disc and cartilaginous tissues.
The nature of pain is affected by the presence of protuberance or hernia.Lumbar osteochondrosis signs include:
- Lumbar column pain syndrome.Patients complain of pain of pain, which becomes acute with acute movements, as well as with a long stay of the body in a position.
- Often, a feeling of weakness or fatigue in the legs, as well as the absence of tendon reflexes of the legs, binds to pain.
- During a visual exam, a curvature of the column in the lumbar region is observed.Osteochondrosis can be the result of scoliosis (bending the spine to the right or left, lordosis (when the spinal column bends forward) and the kyphosis (when, on the contrary, the natural curves are softened).
- Sometimes, the vertebrae hold the spinal cord, then patients feel numbness of the lower limbs, in rare cases, urine and not controlled feces occur.
Often, lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Decrease in the temperature of the lower extremities, numbness of the lower part of the body;
- Dry skin in the lower back, skin's pale;
- sweating violation;
- Lack of control over urination.
Diagnosis
Before making a diagnosis, the doctor discovers the nature of pain, collects an anamnesis and then palpates the lumbar.In addition, the patient is sent to a series of procedures:
- X -Ray.The image shows the state of the spine, can evaluate the integrity of the intervertebral discs, detect the presence of hernias and protuberances.
- Tomography.It also gives an idea of the condition of the intervertebral discs, and also helps to find out if there is damage to the brain cover.
- Magnetic resonanceA particularly precise study is used to clarify the diagnosis and details of the general image of the disease.
The timely diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment and a minimum destruction of the spine.
Complications
It cannot treat lumbar osteochondrosis frivolously.This common disease can be accompanied by complications that affect the quality of life.The most frequent followers of osteochondrosis are:
- protuberance and hernias;
- Inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- osteophosis;
- spondilartrosis;
- Espinal channel stenosis with compression, which leads to a rape of the spinal cord;
- limp;
- Paresis of the lower extremities.
Treatment of the osteochondrosis of the lumbar column
It is impossible to completely cure osteochondrosis, but doctors can stop the development of the disease, eliminate pain and restore motor activity.Patients receive comprehensive treatment, which begins with a change in lifestyle: balanced nutrition, eight -hour dream, physical activity (house physiotherapy exercise classes and in specialized centers), in addition, the selection of the right place to sleep.
If the patient spends more than three hours a day, sitting on the table, then it is necessary to change the position of the body every 40 minutes: walk, make several inclinations.
To reduce pain syndrome, medications, massages, physiotherapy and spinal traction are used.As a result, all manipulations are aimed at:
- Encouraging effects.
- Elimination of acute pain.
- Strengthen muscles (using load and massage).
- Improvement of blood circulation.
- Restoration of sensitivity at the bottom of the body.
In rare cases, surgical intervention is necessary for treatment.
Drug treatment
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs are used in the form of ointments, tablets, as well as injections.All medications are used to relieve pain and inflammatory process.Typically, patients are prescribed:
- Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory medications: diclofenaco, ibuprofen and analogues.
- Analgesics
- Condroprotectors.Prevent additional destruction of cartilage fabric.
- Corticosteroids
- Music to eliminate muscle spasm.
- Vitamins
Musorelaxant and antidepressants that are prescribed to relieve spasm should be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.
How is lumbar osteochondrosis with physiotherapy?
Often, patients ask the question: is it possible to cure the lumbar pills of osteochondrosis alone?As a general rule, drugs are eliminated only by pain, but physiotherapy stops the cause of pain: the destruction of intervertebral discs, stimulates metabolic processes and avoids the additional development of the disease.In the fight against osteochondrosis, they use:
- phonoforesis;
- Darsonvalization;
- diaadernamous current;
- magnetic resonance therapy;
- laser;
- Ampimuls.
The massage is not prescribed during an exacerbation, only when a strong attack of pain is eliminated or during the referral period in the chronic course of the disease.In addition to manual exposure, doctors advise visiting the sauna to heat and relax sick muscles, improve blood circulation.With the help of massage, it can also stimulate blood circulation in the area affected by the disease, normalize tissue nutrition, relax the muscles and return of the displaced vertebrae to place.
Therapeutic gymnastics
There are no ointments and massages can return mobility since the physical education of physiotherapy can return the spine.An active lifestyle, saving sports, stops the development of osteochondrosis and restores the amplitude of movements.In the initial stages of the disease, there are practically no restrictions on sport.In more serious cases, it is necessary to start with special therapeutic exercises.Classes must be carried out regularly, the load will increase gradually.
First, each movement can hurt, but this is not a reason to stop treatment.Over time, the muscles will become stronger, the joints are more mobile.
It is not necessary to attend the gym for this, the classes at home will be effective.
Surgical intervention
Typically, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out by conservative methods.Operations are required in rare cases.
Surgical intervention is necessary in cases where medication can no longer be influenced, for example, if there is an intervertebral hernia.The vertebra stands out from the fibrous ring and presses the nerve roots, causing unbearable pain to the patient.In such cases, an operation is required to eliminate the disk.Effective and less traumatic methods are considered micro -surgical and endoscopic intervention.
Popular remedies
Often with back pain, patients try to deal with the help of popular remedies.It should be remembered that before use you should consult a doctor and use such treatment only as auxiliary therapy together with official medicine.Popular remedies are good for availability, the main ingredients that everyone can find at home.
Popular remedies recipes:
Homemade analgesics
To prepare the ointment, it must take 300 ml of alcohol, 10 drops of iodine, analgin on tablets, 10 drops of camphor.All components are mixed, while tablets must be crushed in dust.The solution applies to a painful point.It must be prepared for the fact that the camphor gives a slight sensation of burning in the skin, which should pass within 7-10 minutes.
Compress honey and potatoes
A racked raw potato is mixed with a small amount of honey.The resulting mass applies to the sore place and tied with a cloth.Keep the compress for up to two hours.
Anesthetic ointment with ginger
The garlic and grated or finely chopped ginger is mixed with butter.Consistency must be like an ointment or cream.
They rub the lower back at night to eliminate the painful pain that prevents patients from being concerned.
Bathrooms with herbs
Warm water with herbs relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation, relieve pain and inflammation.
- To treat back pain, a decoction of birch leaves is used.A concentrated solution to a bath with water of about 40 degrees is added.The duration of the procedure is up to 30 minutes.
- The bathroom with brown leaves is well relaxed.The chestnut leaves are made with water, herven and insist for about an hour.Then, the resulting solution is added to the bathroom.The duration of this procedure is up to 20 minutes.
- The inflammatory and soothing effects have infusions of chamomile flowers.The pharmacy sells tariffs ready to use: bags and dispersion.They need to be made with hot water and insisted for 30-40 minutes.Add the solution finished to the bathroom.In such bathroom you can pass up to 30 minutes.
- Bathrooms with needles relax the muscles and calm the low back pain, but are contraindicated in allergies.Firing, pine or cedar needles should be seen with water and boiled for 15-20 minutes.Add the finished broth to a bath with hot water (approximately 45 degrees).The procedure time is up to 30 minutes.
Remember that a doctor's consultation is required before bathing.Some herbs have contraindications.It should be remembered that hot baths are not shown to patients with cardiovascular diseases.In addition, it cannot be treated with bathrooms and other popular remedies such as Osteochondrosis panacea.
In the fight against this disease, an integrated approach will help: a combination of an active lifestyle, adequate nutrition, sports, medical treatment, physiotherapy and popular remedies will help deal with lumbar osteochondrosis.