Osteochondrosis means a pathology of the spine, the morphological substrate (basis) of which is a violation of the structure of the intervertebral discs.However, this concept is not entirely correct, since, according to Western medical terminology, this nosological form means the degeneration of ossification centers, which is only possible in childhood.Furthermore, the relevance of the issue in this case does not depend on the term given to it, although domestic doctors have a traditional opinion about the disease.In this article we will talk about how to treat osteochondrosis at home, as well as the prevention and diagnosis of this disease.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral foramina narrow, compressing blood vessels and nerves, and growths of bone tissue (osteophytes) appear along the edges of the vertebrae.
The morphology of the disease is quite specific.Pathology is an age-related change in the intervertebral discs, which with aging lose their elastic properties and become compressed.
As a result, the vertebrae become a little closer to each other and the intervertebral foramina through which the spinal nerves exit narrow, deforming them and altering conductivity.Because of this, not entirely typical symptoms are observed, which consist of the manifestation of local pain in the muscles and extremities.
Symptomatically, it is similar to radiculitis, spina bifida, tumor formations of the skeletal system of the spine and membranes of the spinal cord.Therefore, it is necessary to visit a doctor both to establish the diagnosis of osteochondrosis and to exclude these serious pathologies.
It makes sense to immediately consult a doctor if symptoms such as weakness in a limb occur.If it is impossible to carry out long-term operations related to the movement of the arm, osteochondrosis is localized in the cervical region, and if such symptoms are observed in the lower extremities, the lumbar region is affected.
It is relatively difficult to differentiate the complaints of patients with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, since autonomic disorders associated with cardialgia, impaired external breathing and symptoms of shortness of breath are more often observed there.
The diagnosis of the disease is based on the anamnesis.It should include information about the place of work and work hours.Establishing the fact of lifting weights is of some importance here.It is impossible to make a diagnosis using laboratory methods, since essentially the process is natural and manifests itself with aging.It is also not inflammatory in nature.Instrumental methods include an x-ray of the spine in a specific section.This allows us to establish the degree of narrowing of the lumen between the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae and, consequently, confirm the morphological substrate of the pathology.Methods such as CT and MRI can confirm the diagnosis in more detail and exclude similar nosological forms.
Osteochondrosis treatment and prevention.
Preventive measures to prevent osteochondrosis include physical exercises related to gymnastics, running and pull-ups.At the same time, lifting heavy objects makes the disease worse.It can often appear for the first time precisely during this manipulation.The patient feels tingling, numbness in the limb and in the shoulder blade area when lifting a load.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative in nature and is aimed at reducing the manifestations of symptoms, since it is almost impossible to eliminate the root cause.To relieve symptoms, irritants are used that reflexively increase conductivity in the nerve trunks.To treat osteochondrosis at home, menthol ointments, pepper patches and mustard strips can be recommended.A heating pad can be applied locally.At the same time, physiotherapy methods are good for relieving the corresponding symptoms.In particular, in the clinic they can undergo electric shock sessions.
Pharmacological treatment includes analgesic therapy and nerve conduction enhancing agents.The first group of drugs includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These are medications taken intramuscularly or orally.The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor.As a drug of the second group, a drug that partially reduces the deficiency of nerve trophism is effective.At the same time, patients do not need care, since carrying out everyday manipulations does not pose any special difficulties for them, except for physical work, which is not recommended to be performed.
Which doctor should I contact?
The manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis are caused mainly by compression of the roots of the spinal cord emerging through the narrowed openings between the processes of the vertebrae.Therefore, traditionally a neurologist treats this disease.In addition, it is advisable to consult a vertebrologist, a specialist in spinal diseases or an orthopedist.A physiotherapist, a physiotherapy and massage specialist, a chiropractor, an osteopath and a reflexologist will collaborate in the treatment.