Osteochondrosis is one of the most common problems associated with back disease.
This disorder means a change in the internal shape of the spine, as well as a decrease in the plasticity of the discs located between the vertebrae, during which there are disorders associated with cellular nutrition.
The lumbar spine suffers the most, as it is this part of the spine that takes on most of the load. When you lift heavy objects, all the force your body is exposed to is directed at the distance between the vertebrae, which leads to compression of the nerve roots. That is why there are problems and pains associated with lumbar osteochondrosis.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
These reasons can also occur in the younger generation, especially if there are various types of problems associated with the musculoskeletal system. These include:
- birth defects, for example, different lengths of the limbs;
- flat feet of various types and stages;
- changes in the shape of the spine (scoliosis);
- change in the position of the lumbar vertebra, which can slide off the sacrum in different directions.
These diseases have the ability to negatively affect the spine, cause dysfunction. Doctors often believe that lumbar osteochondrosis can occur at the genetic level. For example, if your parents suffered from this disease, then there is a high probability that their child also suffers from such diseases of the spine.
Furthermore, the best known cause of the disease is hard physical work. Indeed, when lifting too heavy objects, there is a large load on the lumbar spine, which leads to its violation.
The next cause of lumbar osteochondrosis is obesity. Extra pounds, like weight, accumulate on the body and in the body, having a negative effect on the spine and vertebrae, causing heaviness and pain when moving. If at first glance it seems to you that a violation of the shape of the spine will not lead to negative consequences, then you are very wrong. This problem leads to wear of the discs located between the vertebrae, which leads to the further development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, it is imperative to monitor the condition of your body and prevent excess body fat in it. Fatty tissue interferes with movement, adding extra stress to muscles, joints, ligaments and the spine.
Another well known cause of spinal diseases is back injury. Impacts, bruises, heavy lifting and shelling in 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 common cause of back disease is, as everyone knows, an inactive lifestyle, when a person spends most of the time sitting in one place, not doing sports and stretching. Most often this applies to people who work in offices or just like to stay in one place for a long time without movement, do not play sports or do stretching. To maintain a healthy back and spine (and the whole body in general), adequate physical activity is required. If you move around a little and sit constantly, this can lead to reduced blood circulation in the body. Due to this factor, back pain occurs, the body does not receive all the nutrients, weakening of the spine and many other diseases occur.
A healthy lifestyle is one of the postulates of healthy blood vessels and joints. Take some time to exercise regularly and your body will respond positively.
Diseases caused by infections or inflammatory processes in the body negatively affect the bone tissue and the condition of the ligaments, 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 intensely. 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 must carefully monitor your nerves and avoid situations associated with irritation or negative emotions.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is very difficult to identify the disease early on. Most of the diseases are asymptomatic, however, everyone is able to experience non-standard sensations in the body. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the early symptoms of spinal disease. The pains come gradually, it is necessary to be able to correctly identify them 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 the nerve root discs that emerge from the opening between the vertebrae.
- The pain is too sharp, as if it were shooting. A person grabs the lower back and is unable to straighten up for fear of experiencing pain again. Such pain occurs due to swelling of the nerve root, which does not have enough space to remain.
- Also, pain is caused by swelling of the back muscles. With edema, there is a problem with the delivery of glucose and air to the back muscle fibers. This is why muscles get stressed. They feel hungry and also have the ability to remove lactic acid from the fibers that have formed in them during muscle activity. Therefore, the muscle undergoes a contraction, which causes pain and spasm. The person experiences pain, stiffness and feelings of discomfort in the back and lower back.
- Since the disc has the ability to compress the motor root, an attack of paresis or paralysis is possible. There may be a feeling of weakness in the limbs, which contributes to a reduced gait.
- Muscle atrophy may occur, in which one of the limbs decreases in size. Feelings of numbness in the legs, goosebumps also arise, the growth of streaks and nails on the limbs is disturbed.
Scoliosis can lead to serious consequences, including injury and rupture of internal organs.
So, here are the general signs and symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis disease:
- root pain;
- back muscle pain;
- movement disorders;
- limb sensitivity disorder;
- disturbing sensations, numb legs, cessation of hair and nail plate growth.
Overweight is another enemy of the joints and the spine.
If your muscle corset is not strengthened enough, the joints will load up on themselves, which will cause them injuries.
These symptoms are the main ones, however, it must 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 osteochondrosis
The disease develops in four stages.
First stage- the initial stage of the disease. With her, the patient has pain in the lower back and spasms of his swelling in this area of the spine. Paying attention to symptoms and seeing a specialist in time can help prevent further back problems. At this stage, the treatment is carried out quite easily and quickly, allowing you to get rid of back problems and pains.
Second stage- in this stage, the pains become more constant and severe than in the first. In the joints and ligaments of the spine, sensations of unusual mobility may appear, as a result of which pain sensations intensify, become sharper and more noticeable. The painful sensations are caused by the contraction of the sciatic nerve. In some cases, violations of the internal organs of a person are possible. It is imperative to consult a specialist for the correct selection of treatment.
Third stage- at this stage, hernias between the vertebrae are already formed. The spine begins to bend, changing shape in different directions (scoliosis, lordosis and other diseases of the spine are formed). Painful sensations are constant, sharp and tormenting 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.
ThePhase Fouris the most difficult phase. Back pain is regular, sometimes even constant. A person cannot move completely, pain hinders movement. If the treatment was not prescribed in time, the patient can remain disabled.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis disease
The treatment of this disease is very complex. Comprehensive treatment is required. Includes:
- drug treatment;
- adherence to a therapeutic diet;
- for severe stages of the disease - surgical intervention;
- perform special physical activities selected by the attending physician.
To reduce swelling of the back muscles, a diet that does not contain salt is necessary, 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 ointments and plasters that have a warming effect. However, it is worth remembering that if inflammatory processes occur in the body, the use of warming drugs 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, intramuscular anesthetic drugs can be used.
Physiotherapy is a painless process to speed up the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. Do not forget that the treatment must be comprehensive and under the supervision of the attending physician.
Physiotherapy is a must in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. It is carried out in medical institutions. Physical activity is performed after preliminary warming of the patient's muscle tissue.
The main principle of treatment is movement to tone the muscle fibers. It is imperative to restore the motor function of the muscle tissue so that there is 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. That is why it is very important to pay attention to painful sensations in the back area over time and to consult a specialist.
Important!The earlier you start the treatment, the faster you will be able to defeat the disease.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Prevention of this disease will never be superfluous.
Follow these guidelines to avoid this problem:
- Keep calm, dress for time to keep your back healthy.
- Avoid lifting heavy loads. If you have to move heavy items, carry them in your backpack. Inexperienced athletes are strongly advised not to immediately pounce on heavy working weights.
- Avoid falling on your back, especially in winter when it is freezing. Any type of back injury leads to its diseases.
- Drink plenty of clean water and other liquids.
- Keep fit 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 at the bar or go swimming in the pool.
- Get regular medical examinations. You can do a spine X-ray or MRI to monitor your back condition and health.
Hyperextension of the back is a great way to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can avoid back problems, including lumbar osteochondrosis. If you suddenly feel unusual sensations in your back, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Monitor back and spine health to avoid associated problems and diseases. To do this, moderate physiotherapy exercises are needed, which will help tone the muscles, as well as prevent a number of diseases that occur in various parts of the back. If pain of various kinds is detected, it is necessary to contact a specialist in a timely manner to consult and get the correct and correct decision, because in the early stages the disease is easily treatable. Don't rush yourself and your health, as your life and freedom of movement depend on the health of your back when doing standard activities in everyday life.
We hope the article was useful to you, you have learned new points about lumbar osteochondrosis and now you can avoid this problem. Be healthy and take care of yourself, because a healthy back guarantees the health of the whole body, a long and happy life without pain!