Osteochondrosis is a degenerative disorder of articular cartilage tissues that can be localized in any joint and intervertebral discs.
The name of the disease comes from the Greek words meaning "bone" and "cartilage".Osteochondrosis develops due to a physiological (that is, normal, provided by nature) weakening of the nutrition of the intervertebral discs.This leads to the fact that the cartilage tissue is poorly restored even after minor injuries.In addition, most people - especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle - stress their back muscles unevenly due to prolonged standing in one position at work, long hours of phone use with an ear pressed to their shoulder, carrying a bag on one shoulder, using too soft a mattress and pillow.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Almost all middle-aged and older people are susceptible to the development of osteochondrosis of the spine, since the processes that cause the degeneration of cartilage tissue are completely natural.The risk factors and causes of more pronounced forms of osteochondrosis are as follows:
- flat feet;
- overweight;
- heavy physical activity;
- physical inactivity;
- heredity;
- spinal injuries.
Previously, it was believed that osteochondrosis of the spine occurs mainly after the age of 35, but recently, 18-20-year-old patients complain of back pain caused by osteochondrosis.Probable causes of osteochondrosis among young people are not only a sedentary lifestyle, but also frequent stress and bad posture.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis - pain and limited movement
They are present in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.But regardless of the type of disease, a person always complains of pain.It depends on the location in which part of the back it manifests itself and whether it radiates to the limbs, that is, in which part of the spine the degenerative processes occurred.Pain can be caused by a variety of causes, such as pinched (compressed) nerve roots or herniated discs.Disc herniation is the rupture of the fibrous ring and the protrusion of the disc core, i.e. the cartilage tissue itself.In many cases, intervertebral disc herniation occurs precisely against the background of osteochondrosis.
Men and overweight people experience herniated discs much more often than others
Osteochondrosis pain can vary not only in intensity, but also in location.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the pain occurs not only in the neck, but also in the shoulder and radiates to the arm.
Sometimes patients experience headaches and dizziness.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine sometimes "imitates" heart pain.It can be strengthened with various movements, it can be sharp or pulling.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, the pain can radiate to the legs.In the case of a herniated disc, numbness of the limb sometimes occurs, as if it was "taken off".Low back pain significantly limits range of motion and can affect the functioning of internal organs.
Intervertebral disc herniation mainly occurs in the cervical and lumbar spine, much less often in the thoracic spine.
Complications and treatment of osteochondrosis
This spinal disease is associated with pain, so it is necessary to treat osteochondrosis in order to get rid of it or significantly reduce it, thereby increasing the quality of life.The question of how to cure osteochondrosis causes a lot of controversy.The process of treating osteochondrosis is very long;it involves the restoration of the spinal structures and the strengthening of the back muscles, as well as, in justified cases, the surgical treatment of a herniated disc.It is always necessary to fight against the pain, since the cause of the disease - the degenerative phenomena that develop in the articular cartilage tissues - is irreversible, and the surrounding tissues can primarily be affected.Blood circulation is improved and muscle ligaments are strengthened in physiotherapy, massage and swimming.However, even with diligent and regular exercises and procedures, the pain does not go away immediately.
Complex treatment of osteochondrosis: additional options
To reduce the pain of osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for external and internal use (unfortunately, their long-term use in the form of tablets has significant side effects), as well as B vitamins.B vitamins are called neurotropic because they help to restore the functions of nerve fibers.The most important are vitamin B1 (benfotiamine) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).tablets.Benfotiamine normalizes metabolic processes in damaged nerve roots, and pyridoxine improves the passage of nerve impulses, while both vitamins help reduce pain.B vitamins for osteochondrosis are an element of an integrated approach to therapy.