Several decades ago, osteochondrosis was an age-related disease. He is younger now. The symptoms, the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is worth knowing to understand the importance of taking care of your health.
Inflammation in the lumbar region is often diagnosed. It brings intense pain, deprives a person of mobility. There are no recovery methods, it is recommended to stop the development in the early stages.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
The cause of the incident is worth determining. If left untreated, treatment will temporarily relieve symptoms.
Causes of low back pain in the lumbar region:
- Overweight. Excess weight increases the load on the spine and the center of gravity shifts. Lumbar discs wear out, wear out - osteochondrosis.
- Disorder of metabolic processes. The cartilage tissue of the spine lacks blood vessels and can not receive lifelong substances from within. Receiving nutrients when exchanged with neighboring tissues, interruption of the process leads to gradual death.
- Wrong gait, movement, weight lifting. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is often diagnosed in people who are overweight and overweight. The inability to control the body and movements negatively affects the spine.
- Back injury, infection. Osteochondrosis in the waist is a disease of athletes. Increased stress, injuries often lead to worsening of the condition of the intervertebral discs. For the sake of prizes, 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. Connected speech. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes. Sitting, the spine is pressed harder.
Symptoms of the disease
To diagnose the disease, it is worth knowing the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis. The main thing is back pain. It occurs during the outbreak of the disease, in 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 lower back pain when trying to straighten. Pain is associated with increased stress on the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain disappears.
- Lumbago. Intense sensations of pain that occur in people who lead a sedentary life after physical exercise. They appear during movements, awkward turns, loads. There is a constant pain of traction.
- Numbness. It is observed in different zones, depending on the intervertebral disc that caused the disease. The location is determined by the numbness zones. Covers buttocks, thighs, legs, feet.
- Chilliness. The decrease in skin temperature is caused by the compression of the arteries, blood vessels, the reduction of metabolic processes.
- Violation of the functions of the urogenital system. A common symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis, which is not treated, is in a "neglected" state. There is a frequent urge to go to the toilet, on the contrary, there are problems with it.
- Reduced 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 osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, to determine the location of the procedure, the degree of development. The diagnosis is made by x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging.
Method of treatment
The spine can not be restored. The treatment lasts a lifetime. With the wrong approach to the disease, it evolves, leading to unpleasant consequences.
Treatment is based on principle. The doctor prescribes drugs, procedures that eliminate the symptoms. After alternating treatments, when the disease does not manifest temporarily, it worsens again. Follow the plan:
- Elimination of the causes of the development of the disease. Lifestyle change, loading, fight against excess weight, metabolic disorders, elimination of foci of infection.
- Suppression of concomitant diseases. Osteochondrosis causes disease. It causes hypertension, root syndrome and leads to diseases of the urogenital system.
- Stimulation of the regeneration of damaged areas. Use drugs to treat lumbar osteochondrosis of the anti-inflammatory, restorative type.
- Removal of inflammation. The cause of pain is the development of inflammation. It is worth achieving muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, relieving pain, inhibiting the enzymes that trigger inflammation.
- Changing habits. The patient should develop habits that facilitate the course of the disease and promote recovery. Useful habits - therapeutic exercises, diet.
With an outbreak of the disease, the doctor's task is to eliminate the symptoms. You often have to deal with intense pain. After diagnosing the cause, the patient is prescribed analgesics, 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 the pain syndrome, temporary relief. It is recommended to lie down, place 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 of taking chondroprotectants involved in repairing damaged tissues. Procedures are specified: massage, acupuncture. There are many techniques. Relieve muscle tension, stretch the spine. Exercise, exercise therapy is part of the healing process. If you follow your doctor's instructions, the chance of recurrence is reduced.
Sometimes, the treatment is done surgically. The patient will remove hernias, the vasoconstriction will be removed and special prostheses will be placed.
Self-medication, friend advice is the worst treatment option. Only a doctor prescribes special medicines and gives advice. Traditional methods are used before a visit to a doctor, who tries not to postpone it. The main thing is not to hurt.
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 that run longitudinally are responsible for the lower extremities, the pelvic organs.
The development of the disease leads to a reduction of the space between the vertebrae. Blood vessels and nerve bundles pass through the holes. Compression leads to severe pain during movement. If there is a sting in the spinal cord, it will affect the body as a whole.
Unpleasant consequences - numbness, paralysis of the lower extremities, buttocks. The work of the pelvic organs is disturbed. The lameness appears.
The lumbar spine is an important part of the spine and should be treated with care. Osteochondrosis is a common disease.