Several decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. Now he is younger. Symptoms, treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is worth knowing to understand the importance of taking care of your health.
Inflammation in the lumbosacral region is frequently diagnosed. It brings a lot of pain, deprives the 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 changes. Lumbar discs wear out, wear out - osteochondrosis.
- Disturbance of metabolic processes. The cartilaginous tissue of the spine is devoid of blood vessels and cannot receive life-giving substances from within. Receives nutrients when exchanged with neighboring tissues, the interruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Incorrect walking, moving, lifting weights. Lumbar osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in people who carry weight and are overweight. The inability to control the body and movement negatively affects the spine.
- Back injury, infection. Lumbar osteochondrosis is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to a deterioration 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 loose. Joints require proper nutrition and respect.
- Passive lifestyle. Associated reason. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes. Sitting, the spine becomes more stressed.
disease symptoms
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 inconspicuous 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 pain in the lower back when trying to straighten up. Pain is associated with increased stress on back muscles. In the supine position, the pain goes away.
- Back pain. Acute pain sensations that occur in people who lead a sedentary life after physical exertion. They appear during movements, awkward turns, loads. Withdrawal pain is constantly observed.
- Numbness. It is seen in different areas, depending on the intervertebral disc that caused the disease. Location is determined by dormancy zones. Covers the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Coldness. 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 untreated lumbar osteochondrosis is a "neglected" condition. There is a frequent desire to go to the bathroom, on the contrary, there are problems with that.
- Decreased activity. In order not to hurt the back, so as not to cause pain, the person tries to move smoothly, less. Over time, this makes him stop walking, taking care of himself.
It is important to treat lumbar osteochondrosis, establish the location of the process, the degree of development. Diagnosis is performed using X-rays and MRI.
treatment method
The spine cannot be restored. The treatment lasts a lifetime. With the wrong approach to the disease, it progresses, leading to unpleasant consequences.
Treatment is based on principle. The doctor prescribes medications, procedures that eliminate symptoms. After alternate treatments, when the disease does not manifest itself temporarily, it worsens again. Follow the plan:
- Elimination of causes of disease development. Change of lifestyle, load, fight against excess weight, metabolic disorders, elimination of infection sites.
- Suppression of concomitant illnesses. Osteochondrosis causes disease. It causes hypertension, radicular syndrome and leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Stimulation of regeneration of damaged areas. Use anti-inflammatory, restorative-type medications for the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Removal of inflammation. The cause of pain is the development of inflammation. It pays to achieve muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, pain relief, blocking enzymes that ignite inflammation.
- Changing habits. The patient must develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and promote recovery. Useful habits - therapeutic exercises, diets.
With the exacerbation of the disease, the physician'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 pain, relieve swelling.
Before the doctor arrives, it is recommended to use special ointments, topical gels, in addition to taking pills for pain relief, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, warm the painful area to improve blood circulation, relieve the load on the lower back.
In remission, the treatment of acute osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of taking chondroprotectors involved in the restoration of damaged tissue. Procedures are prescribed: massage, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Release muscle tension, stretch spine. Exercise, exercise therapy is part of the treatment process. If you follow your doctor's instructions, the likelihood of re-exacerbation is reduced.
Sometimes the treatment is done surgically. The patient will have the hernias removed, the vascular clamping will be eliminated and special prostheses will be placed.
Self-medication, advice from friends is the worst treatment option. Only one doctor prescribes special medications and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before an appointment with the doctor, who try not to postpone it. The main thing is not to harm.
Complications of lumbar osteochondrosis
If methods of treating lumbar osteochondrosis are not followed, complications arise. The lumbar region is characterized by mobility. The nerves that run along the length are responsible for the lower limbs, Organs pelvic organs.
The development of the disease leads to a decrease in the space between the vertebrae. Blood vessels and bundles of nerves pass through the orifices. Squeezing them causes severe pain during movement. If there is a tightness in the spinal cord, it will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences - numbness, paralysis of the lower extremities, buttocks. The work of Organs pelvic organs is stopped. Lameness occurs.
The loin is an important part of the spine and must be treated with care. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.