Osteochondrosis refers to 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 degeneration of ossification centers, which is possible only in childhood.At the same time, the relevance of the question in this case does not depend on the term used, even if domestic doctors have a traditional opinion on the disease.In this article we will talk about how to treat osteochondrosis at home, as well as prevention and diagnosis of this disease.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
With 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 move a little closer to each other and the intervertebral foramina through which the spinal nerves exit narrow, deforming them and disrupting conductivity.For this reason, untypical symptoms are noted, which consist in the manifestation of local pain in the muscles and limbs.
Symptomatically, it resembles radiculitis, spina bifida, tumor formations of the skeletal system of the spine and membranes of the spinal cord.Therefore, a visit to the doctor is necessary both to establish a diagnosis of osteochondrosis and to exclude these serious pathologies.
Immediate consultation with a doctor is wise if symptoms such as limb weakness appear.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 noted for the lower extremities, then 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 respiration and symptoms of shortness of breath are most often observed.
The diagnosis of the disease is based on the history.It should include information about the workplace and working hours.Here, establishing the fact of lifting weights is of some importance.It is impossible to make a diagnosis using laboratory methods, since the process is essentially natural and manifests itself with aging.It is also not inflammatory in nature.Instrumental methods include x-raying 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, therefore, to 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 aggravates the condition.Often this can appear for the first time just during this manipulation.The patient feels tingling and numbness in the limb and shoulder blade when lifting a load.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is conservative in nature and 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, you can recommend menthol ointments, pepper patches and mustard plasters.A heating pad can be applied locally.At the same time, physiotherapeutic methods are effective in relieving the corresponding symptoms.In particular, in the clinic you can undergo electric shock sessions.
Pharmacological treatment includes analgesic treatment and nerve conduction enhancing agents.The first group of drugs includes nonsteroidal 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 deficit of nerve trophism is effective.At the same time, no care is required for patients, since carrying out daily manipulations does not pose any particular difficulties for them, except for physical work, which they are not recommended to perform.
Which doctor should I contact?
Manifestations of vertebral osteochondrosis are mainly caused by compression of the spinal cord roots emerging from the narrowed openings between the processes of the vertebrae.Therefore, a neurologist traditionally treats this disease.Additionally, it is advisable to contact a vertebrologist - a specialist in spinal diseases or an orthopedist.A physiotherapist, a specialist in physiotherapy and massage, a chiropractor, an osteopath and a reflexologist will assist in the treatment.