Osteochondrosis is one of the most common problems associated with back disease.
This disease means a change in the internal shape of the spine, as well as a decrease in the plasticity of the discs located between the vertebrae, during which disorders associated with cell nutrition occur.
The lumbar spine suffers the most, because this part of the spine takes most of the load. When you lift heavy objects, all the force to which your body is exposed is directed to the distance between the vertebrae, leading to compression of the nerve roots. Therefore, there are problems and pain associated with lumbar osteochondrosis.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
These reasons can occur even in the younger generation, especially if there are different types of problems related to the musculoskeletal system. These include:
- congenital defects, for example, different limb lengths;
- straight legs of different types and stages;
- changes in the shape of the spine (scoliosis);
- change in the position of the lumbar spine that can slip from the sacrum in different directions.
These diseases have the ability to negatively affect the spine, causing a violation of its functions. Doctors often think that lumbar osteochondrosis can occur at the genetic level. For example, if your parents have suffered from this disease, then there is a high probability that their child will also suffer from such diseases of the spine.
In addition, the most well-known cause of the disease is hard physical work. Indeed, when lifting too heavy objects, there is a great load on the lumbar spine, which leads to its breaking.
Another cause of lumbar osteochondrosis is obesity. Excess weight, like ballast, accumulates on the body and in the body, which negatively affects the spine and vertebrae, causing heaviness and pain during movement. If at first glance it seems to you that breaking the shape of the spine will not lead to negative consequences, then you are greatly mistaken. This problem leads to wear of the discs located between the vertebrae, leading to the further development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of your body and prevent excess body fat in it. Adipose tissue interferes with movement, adding extra stress to your muscles, joints, ligaments and spine.
Another not-so-known cause of spinal disease is a back injury. Impacts, bruises, lifting heavy loads and grenades in athletes who are not prepared for such loads have a negative effect on the back. Injury to any part of the spine can lead to negative consequences in the future, for example, osteochondrosis of the spine.
And the most popular cause of back disease is, as everyone knows, an inactive lifestyle, when a person spends most of the time sitting in one place, without playing sports and stretching. Most often this applies to people who work in offices or simply like to be in one place for a long time without movement, do not do sports or stretching. To maintain a healthy back and spine (and the whole body in general), you need proper physical activity. If you move a little and sit constantly, it can lead to impaired blood circulation in the body. Due to this factor, back pain occurs, the body does not receive all the nutrients, there is a weakening of the spine and many other diseases.
A healthy lifestyle is one of the postulates of healthy blood vessels and joints. Take time for regular exercise and your body will respond positively to it.
Diseases caused by infections or inflammatory processes in the body negatively affect bone tissue and the condition of ligaments, which can lead to weakening of the spine. The lumbar part takes the most load, which can lead to a change in the shape of the spine.
Stress also causes pain in the spine, especially in women, because they experience feelings and emotions more strongly. Stress negatively affects the health of the organism as a whole, its nervous system. Against the background of stress, various types of diseases, including lumbar osteochondrosis, can worsen and become inflamed.
Help!You need to monitor your nerves carefully and avoid situations associated with irritation or negative emotions.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is very difficult to identify the disease at an early stage. Most diseases are asymptomatic, however, anyone can feel non-standard sensations in the body. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the first symptoms of spinal disease. The pain comes gradually, you need to know how to recognize it properly and contact a specialist in a timely manner, because it is the easiest to cure the disease in the early stages.
Most symptoms share one characteristic:
- Pain in the lumbar region. In total, two types are distinguished: neurogenic pain and muscle pain. The intervertebral disc itself does not feel pain because it does not contain nerve endings. Painful sensations arise as a result of the destruction of the nerve root discs coming out of the openings between the vertebrae.
- The pain is too sharp, like it's shooting. The person grabs the lower back and is unable to straighten for fear of re-pain. Such pain occurs as a result of swelling of the nerve root that does not have enough space to stay.
- In addition, the pain causes swelling of the back muscles. With edema, there is a problem with the delivery of glucose and air to the muscle fibers of the back. Because of this, the muscles are under stress. They experience starvation and also have the ability to remove lactic acid from the fibers that have formed in them during muscle activity. As a result, the muscle undergoes contraction, which causes pain and cramps. The person feels pain, stiffness and unpleasant sensations in the back and lower back.
- Because the disc can compress the root of the motor, a paresis or paralysis attack is possible. Weakness may be felt in the limbs, which contributes to gait violations.
- Muscle loss may occur, with one limb drooping. Feelings of numbness of the legs and goose appear, the growth of stripes and nails on the limbs is disturbed.
Scoliosis can lead to serious consequences, including injuries and disorders of internal organs.
So, here are the general signs and symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- radicular pain;
- back pain;
- movement disorders;
- limb sensitivity disorder;
- creepy sensations, numbness of the legs, cessation of hair growth and nail plate.
Being overweight is another enemy of your joints and spine.
If your muscle corset is not strengthened enough, the joints will take the load on themselves, leading to their injury.
These symptoms are the main ones, however, it must be answered that there are also individual symptoms that do not occur in every patient. They depend on the individual characteristics of the person and are the most difficult to identify or define.
Stages of lumbar osteochondrosis
The disease develops in four stages.
First stage- initial stage of the disease. Along with it, the patient has pain in the lower back, as well as swelling of the swelling in this part of the spine. If you pay attention to the symptoms and visit a specialist in time, you can prevent further back problems. At this stage, the treatment is carried out quite easily and quickly, which allows you to get rid of problems and back pain.
Second phase- in this phase the pain becomes more constant and stronger than in the first. Feelings of unusual mobility may appear in the joints and ligaments of the spine, as a result of which the sensations of pain intensify, become sharper and more noticeable. Painful sensations are caused by contraction of the sciatic nerve. In some cases, violations of a person's internal organs are possible. It is necessary to consult a specialist for the correct choice of treatment.
Third phase- in this phase, hernias between the vertebrae are already formed. The spinal column begins to bend, changing its shape in different directions (scoliosis, lordosis and other diseases of the spinal column are formed). Painful feelings are constant, sharp and tormenting man. The full value of life becomes problematic because the person is constantly hampered by pain. Treatment at this stage may be delayed as the disease begins to progress.
The fourth phaseis the most difficult phase. Back pain is regular, sometimes even constant. The person cannot move completely, the pain inhibits movement. If treatment is not prescribed on time, the patient may remain disabled.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
The treatment of this disease is very complex. Comprehensive treatment is needed. Contains:
- drug treatment;
- respect for therapeutic diet;
- for serious stages of the disease - surgery;
- performing special physical activities selected by the attending physician.
To reduce swelling of the back muscles, a salt-free diet is needed because it retains water in the body. In case of illness, it is necessary to use a special orthopedic corset to keep the muscles in the desired position.
Use of special ointments and patches that have a warming effect. However, it is worth remembering that if inflammatory processes occur in your body, the use of warming medications is unacceptable, as it will increase the symptoms of inflammation.
Acute pain is treated with intramuscular injections prescribed by a doctor. If the pain is strong and unbearable, then it is possible to use intramuscular anesthetics.
Physiotherapy is a painless process of accelerating the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. Remember that treatment should be comprehensive and under the supervision of a doctor.
Physiotherapy is necessary in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. It is performed in medical institutions. Physical activity is performed after preliminary warming of the patient's muscle tissue.
The main principle of treatment is movement to tone muscle fibers. It is necessary to restore the motor function of the muscle tissue so that there is a full range of motion. Most often, in the early stages, osteochondrosis is treated for a few weeks. In advanced stages with severe pain and symptoms, treatment may be delayed. That is why it is very important to pay attention to the painful sensations in the back area in time and to consult a specialist.
Important!The sooner you start treatment, the faster you will be able to beat the disease.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Prevention of this disease will never be superfluous.
Follow these guidelines to avoid this problem:
- Stay cool, dress for the weather to keep your back healthy.
- Avoid lifting heavy loads. If you need to move heavy items, carry them in a backpack. Untrained athletes are warmly advised not to throw heavy weights right away.
- Avoid falling on your back, especially in winter when it is icy. Any type of back injury leads to her illness.
- Drink plenty of clean water and other liquids.
- Keep fit so that extra pounds do not cause this type of disease.
- Exercise regularly and stretch your muscle fibers.
- Stretch your back muscles. You can hang out from the bar or take a dip in the pool.
- Have regular checkups. You can do an X-ray of the spine or an MRI to monitor the health and condition of your back.
Hyperextension of back extension is a great way to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can avoid back problems, including lumbar osteochondrosis. If you suddenly experience unusual sensations in your back, consult your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Monitor your back and spine health to avoid problems and related diseases. To do this, you need moderate physiotherapy exercises that will help you to tone your muscles, as well as prevent many diseases that occur in various parts of the back. If pains of different types are found, it is necessary to contact a specialist in time to consult and make the right and correct decision, because in the early stages the disease is easily curable. Do not run alone and your health, because your life and freedom of movement depend on the health of your back when performing standard activities in everyday life.
We hope the article has been helpful to you, you have learned new points about lumbar osteochondrosis and you can now avoid this problem. Be healthy and take care of yourself, because a healthy back ensures the health of the whole body, a long and happy life without pain!