Decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. Now he's younger. Symptoms, treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is worth knowing to understand the importance of taking care of your health.
Inflammation of the lumbosacral area is often diagnosed. It causes 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 determining the cause of the occurrence. If the treatment is not treated, the treatment will temporarily relieve the symptoms.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Overweight. Being overweight increases the load on the spine and the center of gravity shifts. Lumbar discs slides, slides - osteochondrosis.
- Disruption of metabolic processes. The cartilage tissue of the spine is devoid of blood vessels and cannot receive substances for life from within. Receiving nutrients when exchanging with neighboring tissues, disruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Improper gait, movement, weight lifting. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who carry weights and are overweight. Inability to control the body and movements adversely affect the spine.
- Back injury, infection. Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to a deterioration of the condition of the intervertebral discs. For the sake of prices, records, health is often sacrificed.
- Heredity. In some, the structure of the intervertebral discs is initially more porous and loose. Joints require proper nutrition and respect.
- Passive lifestyle. Associated cause. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes. Sitting, the spine is most stressed.
Symptoms of the disease
To diagnose the disease, it is worth knowing the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. The most important is back pain. It is present during an exacerbation of the disease, in periods of an 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 low back pain when trying to correct. Pain is associated with increased stress on the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain goes away.
- Back pain. Sharp pain sensations that occur in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle after physical exertion. They appear during movements, awkward turns, loads. A withdrawal of pain is constantly observed.
- Numbness. It is observed in different zones depending on the intervertebral disc that caused the disease. Localization is determined by numbness zones. Covers buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Chilliness. A decrease in skin temperature is due to compression of arteries, blood vessels, a decrease in metabolic processes.
- Violation of genitourinary functions. A common symptom of untreated lumbar osteochondrosis is in a "neglected" condition. Frequent urge to go to the toilet is observed, on the contrary, there are problems with this.
- Reduced activity. In order not to injure the back, not to cause pain, a person tries to move gently, less. Over time, this causes him to stop walking and take care of himself.
It is important to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, to establish the location of the process, the degree of development. The diagnosis is performed using X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment method
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 medication, procedures that eliminate symptoms. After a change of course of treatment, when the disease temporarily does not appear, it worsens again. Adhere to the plan:
- Elimination of the causes of the development of the disease. Lifestyle change, stress, fight against obesity, metabolic disorders, elimination of infection focus.
- Suppression of concomitant diseases. Osteochondrosis causes disease. It causes hypertension, radicular syndrome and leads to diseases of the genitals.
- Stimulation of regeneration of damaged areas. Use drugs to treat lumbar osteochondrosis of the anti-inflammatory, restorative type.
- Removal of inflammation. The cause of pain is the development of inflammation. It is worth achieving muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, pain relief, blocking enzymes that ignite inflammation.
- Changing habits. The patient should develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and promote recovery. Useful habits - therapeutic exercises, dieting.
With an exacerbation of the disease, the doctor's task is to eliminate the symptoms. You often have to deal with severe pain. After diagnosing the cause, the patient is prescribed painkillers, NSAIDs. The drugs block the nervous system, suppress the pain, relieve swelling.
Before the doctor arrives, it is recommended to use special ointments, topical gels and take pills to relieve pain syndrome, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, put heat on the sore spot to improve blood circulation, relieve the strain on the lower back.
In remission, treatment of acute lumbar osteochondrosis consists of taking chondroprotectors that are involved in the repair of damaged tissue. Procedures are prescribed: massage, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Relieve muscle tension, stretch the spine. Exercise, exercise therapy is part of the treatment process. Following the doctor's instructions will reduce the likelihood of re-exacerbation.
Sometimes the treatment is performed surgically. The patient will have hernia removed, vascular tension eliminated, and special prostheses placed.
Self-medication, advice from friends is the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special medicines and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before a visit to a doctor who tries not to delay it. The most important thing is not to hurt.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
If the methods of treating 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 extremities, the 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. Squeezing them leads to severe pain during movement. If there is a squeezing of the spinal cord, this will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences - numbness, paralysis of the lower extremities, buttocks. The work of the pelvic organs is disturbed. Lameness occurs.
The lumbar region is an important part of the spine and must be treated with care. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.