Decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. He is younger now. The symptoms, treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is worth knowing to understand how important it is to take care of your health.
Inflammation in the lumbosacral region is often diagnosed. It causes severe pain, deprives a person of mobility. There are no methods of recovery, it is advisable to stop the progression in the early stages.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is worthwhile to determine the cause. If left untreated, treatment will temporarily relieve symptoms.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Overweight. Being overweight increases the load on the spine and the center of gravity shifts. Lumbar discs wear out, wear out - osteochondrosis.
- Disruption of metabolic processes. The cartilaginous tissue of the spine is devoid of blood vessels and cannot absorb substances from the inside for life. Receives nutrients when exchanged with neighboring tissues, disruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Improper gait, movement, lifting weights. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who are overweight and overweight. The inability to control the body and movements has a negative effect on the spine.
- Back injury, infection. Low back osteochondrosis is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to deterioration of the intervertebral discs. Because of awards, 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. Related cause. Sedentary lifestyle leads to deterioration of metabolic processes. Sitting, the spine is the most tense.
Symptoms of the disease
To diagnose the disease, it is worth knowing the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. The main one is back pain. It is present during the exacerbation of the disease, in periods of imperceptible course. It is recommended to pay attention to low back pain at the beginning of the disease. Doctors diagnose the disease based on five symptoms:
- Locked back. Severe lower back pain when trying to stand up. The pain is associated with increased stress on the back muscles. Lying down, the pain disappears.
- Back pains. Acute pain sensations that occur in people leading a sedentary lifestyle after exercise. They appear during movements, awkward turns, loads. Pulling pain in the back is constantly observed.
- Numbness. It is observed in different areas, depending on the intervertebral disc that provoked the disease. The location is determined by the tingling zones. Covers the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Chills. The decrease in skin temperature is caused by compression of arteries, blood vessels, reduction of metabolic processes.
- Disorders of urogenital function. A common symptom of untreated lumbar osteochondrosis is in a "neglected" condition. There is often a desire to go to the toilet, on the contrary, there are problems with it.
- Decreased activity. In order not to hurt the back, not to cause pain, a person tries to move slightly, less. Over time, this leads to the fact that he stops walking, taking care of himself.
It is important to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, to establish the location of the process, the degree of development. The diagnosis is made with the help of X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging.
Method of treatment
The spine cannot be restored. The treatment lasts a lifetime. With the wrong approach to the disease, it progresses, which leads to unpleasant consequences.
The treatment is based on the principle. The doctor prescribes medications, procedures that eliminate the symptoms. After alternating courses of treatment, when the disease does not temporarily manifest itself, it worsens again. Stick to the plan:
- Eliminate the causes of the disease. Lifestyle changes, exercise, fight against obesity, metabolic disorders, elimination of foci of infection.
- Suppression of concomitant diseases. Osteochondrosis provokes disease. It causes hypertension, radicular syndrome and leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Stimulation of the regeneration of the damaged areas. Use drugs to treat lumbar osteochondrosis of the anti-inflammatory, restorative type.
- Eliminate inflammation. The cause of the pain is the development of inflammation. It is worth achieving muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, relieving pain, blocking enzymes that ignite inflammation.
- Changing habits. The patient should develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and promote recovery. Useful habits - healing exercises, diet.
When the disease worsens, 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 substances block the nervous system, suppress the foci of pain, relieve swelling.
Before the arrival of the doctor it is recommended to use special ointments, topical gels and taking pills to relieve pain, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, to put heat on the sore spot to improve blood circulation, to relieve the load on the lower back.
In remission, the treatment of acute osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists in taking chondroprotectors involved in the repair of damaged tissues. Procedures are prescribed: massages, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Relieve muscle tension, stretch the spine. Exercise, exercise therapy is part of the healing process. If you follow the doctor's instructions, the likelihood of recurrence is reduced.
Sometimes the treatment is performed surgically. Hernias will be removed from the patient, vascular tightening will be removed and special prostheses will be placed.
Self-medication, advice from friends are the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special drugs and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before visiting a doctor who tries not to delay it. The main thing is not to harm.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
If the methods of treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis are not followed, complications develop. The lumbar region is characterized by mobility. Nerves running along the length are responsible for the lower limbs, the pelvic organs.
The development of the disease leads to a reduction in the space between the vertebrae. Blood vessels and nerve bundles pass through the openings. Squeezing them causes severe pain during movement. If there is a pinching of the spine, it will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences - numbness, paralysis of the lower limbs, buttocks. The work of the pelvic organs is disturbed. Lameness appears.
The lower back is an important part of the spine and should be treated carefully. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.