Several decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. Now he is younger. Symptoms, it is worth knowing the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis to understand the importance of taking care of your health.
Inflammation in the lumbosacral region is often diagnosed. It brings severe pain, deprives a person of mobility. There are no recovery methods, it is recommended to stop the progression in the early stages.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis.
It is worth establishing the cause of the occurrence. If left untreated, treatment will temporarily relieve symptoms.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Over weight. Excess weight increases the load on the column and the center of gravity shifts. Lumbar discs wear out, wear out - osteochondrosis.
- Disruption of metabolic processes. The cartilaginous tissue of the spine is devoid of blood vessels and cannot receive substances for life from the inside. It receives nutrients when it is exchanged with neighboring tissues, the interruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Incorrect gait, movement, weight lifting. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who are heavy weight lifters and are overweight. The inability to control the body and movements negatively affects the spine.
- Back injury, infection. Lumbar osteochondrosis is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to a deterioration in the condition of the intervertebral discs. For the sake of awards, records, health is often sacrificed.
- Inheritance. In some, the structure of the intervertebral discs is initially more porous and loose. Joints require proper nutrition and respect.
- Passive lifestyle. Associated reason. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes. Sitting, the spine is more stressed.
Symptoms of the disease.
To diagnose the disease, it is worth knowing the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. The main one is back pain. It is present during an exacerbation of the disease, during periods of imperceptible course. It is recommended to pay attention to low back pain at the beginning of the disease. Doctors diagnose the disease based on five symptoms:
- Locked back. Severe pain in the lower back when trying to straighten up. The pain is associated with increased tension in the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain disappears.
- Back pain. Sharp pain sensations that occur in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle after physical exertion. They appear during movements, awkward turns, loads. Back pain is constantly observed.
- Numbness. It is seen in different areas, depending on the intervertebral disc that caused the disease. The location is determined by the areas of numbness. Covers buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Coldness. The decrease in skin temperature is caused by compression of the arteries, blood vessels and the decrease in metabolic processes.
- Violation of genitourinary functions. A common symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis, which is not treated, is in a "neglected" state. A frequent need to go to the bathroom is observed, on the contrary, there are problems with this.
- Decreased activity. In order not to hurt the back, not to cause pain, a person tries to move smoothly, less. Over time, it leads to the fact that you stop walking, taking care of yourself.
It is important to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, to establish the place of localization of the process, the degree of development. Diagnosis is made by X-ray, MRI.
Treatment method
The column cannot be restored. Treatment lasts a lifetime. With the wrong approach to the disease, it progresses, leading to unpleasant consequences.
Treatment is based on the principle. The doctor prescribes drugs, procedures that eliminate symptoms. After alternate cycles of treatment, when the disease does not manifest itself temporarily, it worsens again. Stick to the plan:
- Elimination of the causes of the development of the disease. Change of lifestyle, load, fight against excess weight, metabolic disorders, elimination of sources of infection.
- Suppression of concomitant diseases. Osteochondrosis causes diseases. It causes hypertension, radicular syndrome and leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Stimulation of the regeneration of damaged areas. Use drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis of the anti-inflammatory and restorative type.
- Elimination of inflammation. The cause of pain is the development of inflammation. It is worth achieving muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, relieving pain, blocking enzymes that turn on inflammation.
- Change of habits. The patient must develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and promote recovery. Useful habits: therapeutic exercises, diets.
With an exacerbation of the disease, the task of the doctor is to eliminate the symptoms. You often have to deal with severe pain. After diagnosing the cause, the patient is prescribed painkillers, NSAIDs. Substances block the nervous system, suppress pain points, relieve swelling.
Before the arrival of the doctor, it is recommended to use special ointments, topical gels and take pills to relieve pain syndrome, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, put heat on the sore spot to improve blood circulation, relieve the load on the lower back.
In remission, the treatment of acute osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of taking chondroprotectors involved in the restoration of damaged tissues. Procedures are prescribed: massage, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Relieve muscle tension, stretch your spine. Exercise, exercise therapy is part of the treatment process. If you follow the doctor's instructions, the likelihood of a new exacerbation is reduced.
Sometimes the treatment is done surgically. The patient will have hernias removed, vascular impingement removed, and special prostheses placed.
Self-medication, on the advice of friends, is the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special drugs and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before a visit to the doctor, who tries not to postpone it. The main thing is not to harm.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
If the treatment methods for lumbar osteochondrosis are not followed, complications develop. The lumbar region is characterized by mobility. The nerves that run the length are responsible for the lower extremities, the pelvic organs.
The development of the disease leads to a decrease in the space between the vertebrae. Blood vessels and nerve bundles pass through the holes. Squeezing them causes severe pain during movement. If there is a pinch of the spinal cord column, this will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences: numbness, paralysis of the lower extremities, buttocks. The work of the pelvic organs is interrupted. Lameness occurs.
The loin is an important part of the spine and must be treated with care. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.