Decades ago, osteochondrosis was a disease associated with age. He is younger now. Symptoms, treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is worth knowing to understand the importance of taking care of your health.
Inflammation in the lumbosacral region is often diagnosed. It brings severe pain, deprives a person of mobility. There are no methods of recovery, it is recommended to stop the progression in the early stages.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is worth determining the cause of the phenomenon. 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.
- Disorder of metabolic processes. The cartilaginous tissue of the spine is deprived of blood vessels and cannot receive substances for life from within. Receiving nutrients when exchanging with neighboring tissues, the disruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Irregular gait, movement, lifting weights. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who are overweight and overweight. Inability to control body and movement negatively affects the spine.
- Back injuries, infection. Osteochondrosis of the lower back is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to worsening of the condition 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 looser. Joints require proper nutrition and respect.
- Passive lifestyle. Related reason. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes. Sitting, the spine is the most loaded.
Symptoms of the disease
To diagnose the disease it is worth knowing the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. The main pain is in the back. It is present during the worsening of the disease, in periods of imperceptible course. It is recommended to pay attention to back pain at the beginning of the disease. Doctors diagnose the disease based on five symptoms:
- Locked. Severe lower back pain when trying to straighten. Pain is associated with increased stress on the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain disappears.
- Back pain. Acute pain that occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle after physical exertion. They appear during movement, awkward turns, loads. Pain in pulling the back is constantly noticed.
- Numbness. It is observed in different zones, depending on the intervertebral disc that caused the disease. The localization is determined by the zones of numbness. It covers the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Chilliness. The decrease in skin temperature is caused by compression of arteries, blood vessels, reduction of metabolic processes.
- Violation of genitourinary functions. A common symptom of untreated lumbar osteochondrosis is in a "neglected" condition. There is a frequent desire to go to the toilet, on the contrary, there are problems with that.
- Reduced activity. In order not to injure the back, not to cause pain, the person tries to move slowly, less. Over time, this leads to the fact that he stops walking, taking care of himself.
It is important to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, determine the location of the process, the stage of development. Diagnosis is performed using X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging.
Method of treatment
The spine cannot be regenerated. The treatment lasts a lifetime. With the wrong approach to the disease, it progresses, leading to unpleasant consequences.
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, it worsens again. Follow the plan:
- Elimination of the causes of disease development. Lifestyle changes, exercise, fight against overweight, metabolic disorders, removal of foci of infection.
- Suppression of concomitant diseases. Osteochondrosis causes disease. It causes hypertension, radicular syndrome and leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Stimulation of regeneration of damaged areas. Use medications to treat lumbar osteochondrosis of the anti-inflammatory, regenerative type.
- Removal of inflammation. The cause of pain is the development of inflammation. It is worth achieving muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, relieving pain, blocking enzymes that cause inflammation.
- Changing habits. The patient should develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and encourage recovery. Useful habits - therapeutic exercises, diet.
With the disease getting worse, 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. Substances block the nervous system, suppress foci of pain, relieve swelling.
Before the arrival of the doctor, it is recommended to use special ointments, topical gels and take pills to relieve the pain syndrome, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, put heat on the sore spot to improve blood circulation, reduce the load on the lower back.
In remission, treatment for acute osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of taking chondroprotectors that are involved in repairing damaged tissues. Procedures are prescribed: massages, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Relieve muscle tension, stretch the spine. Exercise, exercise therapy are part of the healing process. If you follow your doctor’s instructions, the likelihood of recurrence decreases.
Sometimes treatment is performed surgically. The patient will have hernias removed, vascular contractions removed and special dentures placed.
Self-medication, the advice of a friend is the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special medications and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before going to the doctor who tries not to delay it. The main thing is not to hurt.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
If lumbar osteochondrosis treatment methods are not followed, complications develop. The lumbar part is characterized by mobility. Nerves that run 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 holes. Squeezing them leads to severe pain during movement. If a spinal cord entrapment occurs, it 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 groin is an important part of the spine and should be treated carefully. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.