Osteochondrosis means a pathology of the spine, the morphological substrate (base) 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 the ossification centers, which is only possible in childhood.At the same time, the relevance of the issue in this case does not depend on what term it is called, 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.
Osteochondrosis symptoms
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 move a little closer to each other and the intervertebral foramina through which the spinal nerves exit become narrowed, deforming them and disturbing conductivity.Therefore, very typical symptoms are not observed, which consist of the manifestation of local pain in the muscles and limbs.
Symptomatically, it is similar to radiculitis, spina bifida, tumor formations of the skeletal system of the spine and spinal cord membranes.Therefore, medical consultation is necessary both to establish the diagnosis of osteochondrosis and to exclude these serious pathologies.
Immediate consultation with a doctor makes sense 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 most often observed there.
Diagnosis of the disease is based on anamnesis.It should include information about the place of work and working hours.Here, establishing the fact of lifting weights is of some importance.It is impossible to make a diagnosis using laboratory methods, as in essence the process is natural and manifests itself with aging.It is also not inflammatory in nature.Instrumental methods include radiography of the spine in a specific section.This makes it possible 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 computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can confirm the diagnosis in more detail and exclude similar nosological forms.
Osteochondrosis treatment and prevention
Preventive measures to prevent osteochondrosis include physical exercise related to gymnastics, running and push-ups.At the same time, heavy work makes the disease worse.It can often appear for the first time just during this manipulation.The patient feels tingling, numbness in the limb and 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 alleviate symptoms, irritants are used that reflexively increase conductivity in the nerve trunks.To treat osteochondrosis at home, you can recommend ointments with menthol, pepper patches and mustard plasters.A heating pad can be applied locally.At the same time, physiotherapeutic methods are good at relieving the corresponding symptoms.In particular, in the clinic you can undergo electric shock sessions.
Pharmacological treatment includes analgesic therapy and agents that improve nerve conduction.The first group of medications includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These are intramuscular or oral drugs.The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor.As a medicine of the second group, a medicine that partially reduces the deficiency of nervous trophism is effective.At the same time, no care is required from patients, since carrying out everyday manipulations does not cause them any particular difficulties, except for physical work, which is not recommended to be carried out.
Which doctor should I contact?
The manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis are mainly caused by compression of the roots of the spinal cord that emerge through 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 help with the treatment.