Several decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. Now he is younger. Symptoms, treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is worth knowing in order 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 recovery methods, it is recommended to stop the progression in the early stages.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
It is worth establishing the cause of the occurrence. If left untreated, treatment will temporarily relieve symptoms.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Overweight. Excess weight 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 receive substances for life from the inside. Receives nutrients when exchanged with neighboring tissues, disruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Incorrect gait, movement, weight lifting. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who carry weights and are overweight. The inability to control the body and movements negatively affects the spine.
- Back injury, infection. Low back osteochondrosis is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to a deterioration in the condition of the intervertebral discs. For the sake 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. Associated reason. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a deterioration in 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 main one is back pain. It is present during an exacerbation of the disease, during periods of 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 pain in the lower back when trying to straighten up. Pain is associated with increased stress on the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain goes away.
- Backache. Sharp pain sensations that occur in people leading a sedentary lifestyle after physical exertion. They appear during movements, awkward turns, loads. A pulling back pain is constantly observed.
- Numbness. It is observed in different zones, depending on the intervertebral disc that provoked the disease. Localization is determined by the zones of numbness. Covers the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Chilliness. A decrease in skin temperature is caused by compression of arteries, blood vessels, a decrease in metabolic processes.
- Violation of genitourinary functions. A common symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis, which is not treated, is in a "neglected" state. Frequent urge to go to the toilet is observed, on the contrary, there are problems with this.
- Decreased activity. In order not to injure the back, not to cause pain, a person tries to move gently, less. Over time, it leads to the fact that he stops walking, taking care of himself.
It is important to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, to establish the place of localization of the process, the degree of development. Diagnosis is carried out using X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment method
The spine cannot be restored. 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 drugs, procedures that eliminate symptoms. After alternating courses of treatment, when the disease temporarily does not manifest itself, it aggravates again. Adhere to the plan:
- Elimination of the causes of the development of the disease. Change of lifestyle, load, fight against excess weight, 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 damaged areas. Use drugs for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis of the anti-inflammatory, restoring 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 kindle 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 pain relievers, 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 take pills to relieve pain syndrome, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, put warmth on the sore spot to improve blood circulation, 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 restoration of damaged tissues. Procedures are prescribed: massages, acupuncture. There are many methods. Relieve muscle tension, stretch the spine. Exercise, exercise therapy is part of the treatment process. If you follow the doctor's instructions, the likelihood of a second exacerbation is reduced.
Sometimes, the treatment is done surgically. The patient will have hernias removed, vascular clamping will be eliminated, and special prostheses will be placed.
Self-medication, advice from friends is the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special medications and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before a visit to a doctor, who try not to postpone 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. The nerves running along are responsible for the lower limbs, 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 pinching of the spinal column, this will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences - numbness, paralysis of the lower extremities, buttocks. The work of the pelvic organs is disrupted. Lameness occurs.
The loin is an important part of the spine and should be treated with care. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.