Osteochondrosis is one of the most common problems associated with back disease.
This disease means a change in the inner shape of the spine, as well as a decrease in the plasticity of the discs located between the vertebrae, during which there are disorders related to cell nutrition.
The lumbar spine suffers the most, as it is this part of the spine that receives the most load. When lifting heavy objects, all the force to which your body is exposed is directed at the distance between the vertebrae, which leads to compression of the nerve roots. This is why there are problems and pain associated with lumbar osteochondrosis.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
These reasons can also occur in the younger generation, especially if there are different types of problems related to the musculoskeletal system. These include:
- birth defects, for example, different lengths of limbs;
- flat feet of various types and stages;
- changes in the shape of the spine (scoliosis);
- change in the location of the lumbar vertebra, which can slide from the cross in different directions.
These diseases have the ability to have a negative impact on the spine, causing violations of its functions. Doctors often think that lumbar osteochondrosis can occur at the genetic level. For example, if your parents suffered from this disease, then it is very likely that their child will also suffer from such diseases of the spine.
Moreover, the most common cause of illness is hard physical work. Indeed, when lifting very heavy objects, there is a large load on the lumbar spine, which leads to its violation.
Another cause of lumbar osteochondrosis is overweight. Excess pounds, like ballast, accumulate in the body and in the body, having a negative effect on the spine and vertebrae, causing weight and pain during movement. If at first glance it seems to you that violating the shape of the spine will not lead to negative consequences, then you are very wrong. This problem leads to the consumption of discs located between the vertebrae, which leads to the further development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the condition of your body and prevent an excess of body fat in it. Adipose tissue interferes with movement, adding extra stress to muscles, joints, ligaments, and the spine.
Another not uncommon cause of spinal disease is back injury. Impacts, bruises, lifting heavy loads and shells on athletes who are not prepared for such loads have a negative effect on the back. Injury to any of the spinal sections can lead to negative consequences in the future, for example, osteochondrosis of the spine.
And the most popular cause of back disease is, as everyone knows, an inactive lifestyle, when most of the time a person spends sitting in one place, without playing sports and beingextended. Most often this applies to people who work in offices or just like to be in a place for a long time without movement, do not play sports or do not lie down. To maintain a healthy back and spine (and the whole body in general), you need proper physical activity. If you move a little and constantly sit down, then this can lead to impaired blood circulation in the body. Due to this factor, back pain occurs, the body does not get all the nutrients, a weakening of the spine occurs and many other diseases.
A healthy lifestyle is one of the postulates of healthy blood vessels and joints. Take time to exercise regularly and your body will respond positively to it.
Diseases caused by infections, or inflammatory processes in the body negatively affect bone tissue and ligament condition, which can lead to weakening of the vertebrae. Most of all loads are taken from the lumbar region, which can lead to a change in the shape of the vertebrae.
Stress also causes pain in the spine, especially in women, as they experience feelings and emotions more strongly. Stress negatively affects the health of the body as a whole, its nervous system. Against the background of stress, various types of diseases, including lumbar osteochondrosis, can worsen and become inflamed.
Help!You need to carefully monitor your nerves and avoid situations related to irritation or negative emotions.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
it is very difficult to identify the disease at an early stage. Most diseases are asymptomatic, however, everyone is able to feel non-standard sensations in the body. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the first symptoms of spinal disease. The pains come gradually, you should be able to identify them correctly and contact a specialist in a timely manner, because in the early stages it is easier to cure the disease.
Most symptoms share a single characteristic:
- Pain in the lumbar region. In total, two types are distinguished: neurogenic pain and muscle pain. The intervertebral disc itself does not feel pain, as it does not contain nerve endings. Painful sensations occur as a result of the destruction of nerve root discs arising from the opening between the vertebrae.
- The pain is very sharp, as if it were shooting. A person grabs the lower back and is unable to direct due to fear of feeling pain again. Such pain occurs as a result of swelling of the nerve root, which does not have enough space to stay.
- Furthermore, the pain is caused by swelling in the back muscles. With edema, there is a problem with the distribution of glucose and air to the back muscle fibers. This is why muscles get stressed. They experience hunger, and also have the ability to remove lactic acid from the fibers that are formed in them during muscle activity. Therefore, the muscle undergoes contraction, which causes pain and spasm. The person feels pain, stiffness and discomfort in the back and lower back.
- Since the disc has the ability to squeeze the motor root, a paresis or paralysis attack is possible. There may be a feeling of weakness in the limb, which contributes to a gait disorder.
- Muscle digestion may occur in which one of the limbs decreases in volume. Feelings of numbness in the legs, goose bumps also arise, the growth of bands and nails on the limbs is disturbed.
- radicular pain;
- muscle pain in the back;
- movement disorders;
- limb sensitivity disorder;
- creepy sensations, numb legs, hair growth interruptions and nail plate.
Overweight is another enemy of the joints and spine.
If your muscle corset is not strong enough, the joints will take over the load, which will lead to their damage.
These symptoms are major, however, it should be answered that there are also individual symptoms that do not occur in every patient. They depend on the individual characteristics of the person and are the most difficult to identify or define.
Stages of lumbar osteochondrosisThe disease develops in four stages.
First stage- the initial stage of the disease. With it, the patient has pain in the lower back as well as spasms of her swelling in this area of the spine. Paying attention to symptoms and timely visits to a specialist can help prevent further back problems. At this stage, the treatment is performed quite easily and quickly, allowing you to get rid of back problems and pain.
Second stage- in this stage, the pain becomes more constant and stronger than in the first. In the joints and ligaments of the spine, sensations of unusual movement may appear, as a result of which the sensations of pain intensify, become sharper and more visible. Painful sensations are caused by the contraction of the sciatic nerve. In some cases, violations of a person's internal organs are possible. It is imperative to consult a specialist for the correct choice of treatment.
Stage Three- At this stage, hernias between the vertebrae are already formed. The spine begins to bend, changing its shape in different directions (scoliosis, lordosis and other diseases of the spine are formed). Painful feelings are constant, sharp and torment a person. The full value of life becomes problematic as a person is constantly constrained by pain. Treatment at this stage may be delayed as the disease begins to progress.
The Fourth Stageis the most difficult phase. Back pain is regular, sometimes even constant. A person can not move completely, the pain impedes movement. If treatment is not prescribed in time, the patient may remain incapacitated.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis disease
The treatment of this disease is very complex. Comprehensive treatment is needed. It includes:
- drug treatment;
- adherence to a therapeutic diet;
- for serious stages of the disease - surgical intervention;
- performing specific physical activities selected by the attending physician.
To reduce swelling in the back muscles, a salt-free diet is required, as it retains water in the body. In case of illness, it is necessary to use a special orthopedic corset to keep the muscles in the desired position.
Use of special oils and mortars that have a warming effect. However, it is worth remembering that if inflammatory processes occur in your body, the use of warming medicines is unacceptable, as this will increase the symptoms of inflammation.
Acute pain is treated with intramuscular injections prescribed by the attending physician. If the pain is severe and unbearable, then it is possible to use intramuscular anesthetic drugs.
Physiotherapy is a painless process of accelerating the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. Remember that treatment should be comprehensive and under the supervision of the attending physician.
Physiotherapy is essential in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. It is performed in medical institutions. Physical activity is performed after pre-heating the patient's muscle tissue.
The main principle of treatment is movement in toning muscle fibers. It is essential to restore the motor function of the muscle tissue in order to have a full range of motion. Most often, in the early stages, osteochondrosis is treated for several weeks. In advanced stages with severe pain and symptoms, treatment may be delayed. This is why it is very important to pay attention to the painful sensations in the back in time and consult a specialist.
Important!The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you will be able to beat the disease.
Prevention of medial osteochondrosis
Prevention of this disease will never be superfluous.
Please follow these instructions to avoid this problem:
- Keep calm, dress for the weather to keep your back healthy.
- Avoid lifting heavy loads. If you need to move heavy items, keep them in your backpack. Untrained athletes are strongly advised not to jump on heavy work weights right away.
- Avoid falling on your back, especially in winter when it is icy. Any kind of back injury leads to its diseases.
- Drink plenty of clean water and other fluids.
- Keep yourself in shape so that excess weight does not cause this type of disease.
- Exercise and stretch your muscle fibers regularly.
- Stretch your back muscles. You can hang from the bar or swim in the pool.
- Get regular medical checkups. You can have a spinal x-ray or MRI to monitor the condition and health of your spine.
Hyperextension Back Extension is a great way to strengthen the muscles that support your spine.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can avoid back problems, including lumbar osteochondrosis. If you suddenly feel unusual sensations in the back, then you should contact your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Monitor the health of your back and spine to avoid problems and related diseases. To do this, you need moderate physiotherapy exercises, which will help tone the muscles, as well as prevent a number of diseases that occur in different parts of the back. If pain of different types is detected, it is necessary to contact a specialist in a timely manner in order to consult and make the correct and accurate decision, because in the early stages the disease is easily curable. Do not direct yourself and your health, as your life and freedom of movement depend on the health of your back when performing standard activities in daily life.
We hope this article was helpful to you, you have learned new points about lumbar osteochondrosis and can now avoid this problem. Be healthy and take care of yourself, because a healthy spine ensures the health of the whole body, a long and happy life without pain!