Several decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. He is younger now. It is worth knowing the symptoms, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis to understand the importance of taking care of your health.
Inflammation in the lumbosacral region is often diagnosed. 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 event. If left untreated, treatment temporarily relieves symptoms.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Overweight. Excess weight increases the load on the spine and the center of gravity shifts. Lumbar discs wear out, wear out - osteochondrosis.
- Disruption of metabolic processes. The cartilage tissue of the spine is devoid of blood vessels and cannot receive substances for life from within. Receives nutrients when exchanged with neighboring tissues, disruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Incorrect gait, movement, weight lifting. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who carry weights and are overweight. The inability to control the body and movements adversely 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 rewards, 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 onset of the disease. Doctors diagnose the disease based on five symptoms:
- Locked back. Severe pain in the lower back when trying to straighten up. Pain is associated with increased stress on the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain disappears.
- Backache. 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 observed in different areas, depending on the intervertebral disc that caused the disease. Localization is determined by the zones of numbness. It covers the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Freddo. A decrease in skin temperature is caused by compression of the arteries, blood vessels, a decrease in metabolic processes.
- Violation of genitourinary functions. A common symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis, which is not treated, is in a "neglected" state. Frequent urge to go to the toilet is observed, on the contrary, there are problems with this.
- Decreased activity. In order not to injure the back, in order not to cause pain, a person tries to move gently, less. Over time, it leads to the fact that he stops walking, taking care of himself.
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-rays, MRI.
Method of treatment
The spine cannot be restored. The treatment lasts a lifetime. With the wrong approach to the disease, it progresses, leading to unpleasant consequences.
The treatment is based on the principle. The doctor prescribes medications, procedures that eliminate symptoms. After alternating courses of treatment, when the disease temporarily does not manifest itself, it worsens again. Join the plan:
- Elimination of the causes of the development of the disease. Change of lifestyle, load, fight against excess weight, metabolic disorders, elimination of foci of infection.
- Suppression of concomitant diseases. Osteochondrosis causes the disease. 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 regenerating type.
- Removal of inflammation. The cause of pain is the development of inflammation. It is worthwhile to achieve muscle relaxation, improve blood circulation, relieve pain, block the enzymes that ignite inflammation.
- Change habits. The patient should develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and promote recovery. Useful habits - therapeutic exercises, diet.
With an exacerbation of the disease, the doctor's task is to eliminate the symptoms. Often you have to face severe pain. After diagnosing the cause, the patient is prescribed painkillers, NSAIDs. Substances block the nervous system, suppress the foci of pain, 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, warm 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 in the intake of chondroprotectors involved in the restoration of damaged tissues. Procedures are prescribed: massage, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Relieves muscle tension, lengthens the spine. Exercise, physical therapy is part of the treatment process. If you follow the doctor's instructions, the likelihood of re-exacerbation is reduced.
Sometimes, the treatment is done surgically. The patient will have hernias removed, vascular clamping will be removed and special prostheses will be placed.
Self-medication, advice from friends is the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special medications and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before a visit to the doctor, who tries not to postpone it. The important thing is not to do harm.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
If the methods of treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis are not followed, complications develop. The lumbar region is characterized by mobility. The nerves that run along the length are responsible for the lower limbs, 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. Tightening them leads to severe pain during movement. If there is a pinching of the spine, it will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences: numbness, paralysis of the lower limbs, buttocks. The work of the pelvic organs is disrupted. Lameness occurs.
The loin is an important part of the spine and must be treated with care. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.