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 degeneration of ossification centers, which is possible only in childhood.At the same time, the relevance of the issue in this case does not depend on what term it is called, even though 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
With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral foramina narrow, squeezing 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.The 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 somewhat closer to each other, and the intervertebral foramina through which the spinal nerves exit become narrowed, deforming them and disrupting conductivity.Because of this, not quite typical symptoms are noted, which consist in the manifestation of local soreness in the muscles and limbs.
Symptomatically, it is similar to radiculitis, spina bifida, tumor formations of the skeletal system of the spine and the membranes of the spinal cord.Therefore, visiting a doctor is necessary both to establish a 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 perform long-term operations related to arm movement, 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 there.
Diagnosis of the disease is based on taking an anamnesis.It must 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 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 allows us to establish the degree of narrowing of the lumen between the bodies of two adjacent vertebrae, and, accordingly, 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.
Treatment of osteochondrosis and prevention
Preventive measures to prevent osteochondrosis include physical exercises related to gymnastics, running, and pull-ups.At the same time, heavy lifting causes the disease to worsen.Often it may appear for the first time just during this manipulation.The patient feels tingling, numbness in the limb and in the area of the shoulder blade 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, 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 nerve conduction enhancing agents.The first group of drugs includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.These are drugs intramuscularly or orally.The dosage regimen is determined by the doctor.As a medicine of the second group, a drug that partially reduces the deficiency of nerve trophism is effective.At the same time, no care is required for patients, since performing everyday manipulations does not cause them any particular difficulties, except for physical work, which they are not recommended to perform.
Which doctor should I contact?
Manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis are caused mainly by compression of the spinal cord roots emerging through the narrowed openings between the processes of the vertebrae.Therefore, a neurologist traditionally treats this disease.In addition, it is advisable to contact a vertebrologist - a specialist in spine diseases, or an orthopedist.A physiotherapist, a specialist in physical therapy and massage, a chiropractor, an osteopath, and a reflexologist will assist in treatment.