Osteochondrosis is a widespread and rapidly "rejuvenating" disease that affects people all over the world.
These are degenerative changes of dystrophic nature in the bone tissue of the spine, its joints, cartilage and ligaments.
For a while, a person can not feel the disease, but the symptoms of osteochondrosis are felt very quickly: the spine acquires pathological mobility, destroys nerve endings, blood vessels, and even adjacent tissues, which causes severe pain.
If the disease begins, then the rapidly growing bone processes further damage the nerve roots, as well as blood vessels.
Symptoms mainly depend on the location of the disease.
The main symptoms of the disease
Typically, all symptoms are divided into four major groups and are associated with both the affected area and the individual characteristics of each patient's spine. It should be borne in mind that if a person suffers from extreme cold, chills, severe stress, alcohol abuse, irregular or improper eating, as well as does not normalize physical activity, the manifestations of the disease can increase significantly.
- Static symptoms depend on the change in the shape of each vertebra, which leads to worsening of posture: a person gets scoliosis or even lordosis kyphosis, can not normally straighten his back and can not turn his head freely. The spine loses its elasticity.
- Neurological symptoms represent damage to nerve tissue, where not only the strength of muscle contractions is impaired, but also the sensitivity of the skin. The roots of the spine are compressed, there is pain, numbness, tingling, creepy feeling in the affected area. If the disease has started, it can cause paresis of the limbs (partial loss of mobility or even complete paralysis).
- Vascular symptoms develop for two reasons. First, due to the constriction of blood vessels (especially for cervical osteochondrosis, when the arteries that supply the brain are constricted), the blood supply to the brain deteriorates significantly, causing nausea, dizziness, and lack of oxygen. in certain areas. Second, changes in the condition of the sympathetic nervous system develop due to irritation of nerve fibers. The result is spasms of many blood vessels, even ischemia.
- Trophic symptoms occur when the above-mentioned neurological manifestations coincide with vascular symptoms. As a result, tissue nutrition deteriorates, which leads to the appearance of ulcers.
If osteochondrosis of the neck develops
The symptoms of osteochondrosis vary depending on which specific area of the body is affected. Cervical osteochondrosis is a dangerous and insidious enemy. First, it looks like a headache that analgesics just don't work.
Painful sensations can affect the back of the head, the temples, intensify after a person is in a sedentary state, and not only the head itself, but also the skin aches. Then painful sensations in the arms and shoulders join the problem, the sensitivity of these areas is impaired.
If you do nothing, the work can result in paralysis of the hands.
In addition to pain, cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by other symptoms:
- Nausea, unpleasant sounds, unexpected dizziness.
- Deterioration of vision flies before the eyes (all this is the result of poor nutrition and metabolic disorders in the optical system).
- Fainting due to lack of oxygen to the brain, swinging, unstable gait.
- Hiccups, shortness of breath (if the phrenic nerve is affected), swelling in the throat.
- Disorders of neck mobility, painful sensations, constant muscle tension.
- Trophic changes in the skin of the hands.
- Constant weakness, lack of strength and fatigue, frequent irritability, a feeling of warmth or, conversely, tremors.
Damage to the cervical spine is often mistaken for stroke, hypertension, ENT problems and even neurasthenia.
If the chest area is affected
It is easy to imagine the symptoms of the disease, if you remember what organs it can affect, if it belongs to the thoracic region. This department is relatively rarely affected, the disease is difficult to recognize, because the symptoms are easily confused with the manifestations of other problems.
First, there is pain between the shoulder blades or in the chest, upper abdomen. This can include internal pain and can be mistaken for angina pectoris, intestinal or renal colic, or liver problems. Then everything depends on the affected department:
- If the upper thoracic segment is affected, the person may have difficulty swallowing, feel a lump in the throat, and cough.
- Defeat of the middle chest region causes pain similar to gastritis, stomach ulcers, and heart problems. Arrhythmia appears, blood pressure rises.
- If the lower thoracic segment suffers, intestinal function is impaired, the pain is similar to the manifestations of appendicitis.
- These may include pain in the heart, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, a feeling of unpleasant coldness, burning or tingling in the chest and abdomen.
The main problem is not that osteochondrosis is mistaken for a long-term heart attack, angina pectoris, abdominal disease or pneumonia. .
If it affects the lower back
The lumbar region suffers the most, because it receives the greatest loads not only during movements, any movement, but also when lifting heavy objects. The problem with the lumbar region, first of all, is felt not only in the lower back, but also in the lower extremities with painful sensations, causing numbness of the skin of the feet. Then additional symptoms appear:
- If the motor fibers are affected, paresis may develop, and the work will end with paralysis of the legs.
- The defeat of the nerves gives not only pain in the lower back, but also severe lumbago after any load.
- If pelvic functions are affected and the blood supply to the pelvic organs is disrupted, a person will suffer not only from pain, but also from problems with urination (in men, as well as with an erection), and incontinence.
Often, physical activity, sudden movements, hypothermia cause the appearance of pain. The roots are compressed, the intervertebral discs are displaced. The person begins to suffer from painful, dull or, conversely, severe pain.
Often, painful sensations affect not only the lower back, but also the hips, thighs, legs and even feet. In advanced cases, the volume of the lower extremities may decrease.
The result
Osteochondrosis is a very serious disease that always requires the active participation and intervention of doctors. Despite the various symptoms, its main manifestation is severe pain, difficulty in movement. Painful feelings are "hidden" as a manifestation of other diseases, so in most cases, people turn to cardiologists, therapists, gastroenterologists in the first place, suspecting that they have been diagnosed with problems with the heart, digestive system or other organs.
It is important to contact a neurologist first, and only before the onset of pain and other symptoms (eg, paresis and paralysis) that are characteristic of osteochondrosis. The doctor will first of all provide pain relief (prescribe various painkillers), improve metabolic processes in all tissues (both cartilage, muscle and nerve), and eliminate hernias if they have already formed.
In addition to medication, the patient is prescribed massage, compulsory physical education, various physiotherapy measures.