Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine and adjacent tissues are called osteochondrosis. More than 70% of the world's population suffers from low back pain accompanied by impaired mobility, and many of them have no doubt that all of these problems are symptoms of osteochondrosis, the most common disease of the spine. It is very important to recognize the problem at an early stage, because it is difficult to treat the later stages of the disease, and with the onset of the disease you run the risk of completely losing mobility.
Today we will talk about how osteochondrosis manifests itself and what are the symptoms of this disease.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
The process of destruction in osteochondrosis affects not only the bone and cartilage tissue of the spine, but also blood vessels, arteries, nerve endings, so the symptoms, or rather, osteochondrosis syndromes are combined in accordance with the general clinical manifestations of the disease. .
- Due to the change and destruction of the vertebrae, there is excessive pressure on the arteries, the main arteries, as a result of which the blood supply deteriorates, hypoxia develops - this syndrome is called vascular.
- Deformation of the vertebrae during the disease causes abnormal changes in the spine (lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis), banal changes in posture are a static syndrome.
- Damage to nerve endings, blood vessels and arteries leads to deterioration of metabolic processes in the tissues, the supply of nutrients to them, resulting in symptoms of osteochondrosis (in the form of ulcerative manifestations on the skin). trophic syndrome.
- Disorders of the nerve endings are accompanied by skin tingling, worsening of muscle reactions, such symptoms of the disease are called neurological syndrome.
The disease can affect any segment of the spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, in addition, often occupies two parts at once. The symptoms of osteochondrosis depend directly on the location and the degree of destruction of the affected area.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra
Today, cervical osteochondrosis is very often diagnosed among the able-bodied population, and the first symptoms, as always, are few people pay attention, often occipital headaches, which gradually pass into the temporal region. Also, the initial stage of the disease is accompanied by anxiety, short-term pain in the neck and spine, a crisis when turning his head.
In addition, without proper treatment, the disease progresses, the pain increases, the sensitivity of the upper shoulder girdle decreases (this is due to the deterioration of blood supply).
The apogee of the disease is a complete loss of motor function of the upper extremities. Also, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis as a result of impaired blood supply:
- deterioration of the functions of the vestibular apparatus, dizziness, noise, ringing, whistling in the ears; visual impairment (blurred vision, flying in front of the eyes);
- In the elderly, periodic fainting, shortness of breath and lack of oxygen are possible.
In addition, a person may suffer from snoring, numbness, a feeling of coldness in the fingers, there is a high probability of loss of coordination.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae is a very rare disease, because here the spine is less mobile and is supported by a strong rib frame. However, this disease occurs and the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are very different.
The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by pain in the chest, descending to the upper abdomen. Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are often confused with the manifestations of other diseases - cholecystitis, angina pectoris, and even renal colic. Often a patient comes to a cardiologist with complaints of pain in the heart area and, after a thorough examination, consults a neurologist on suspicion of osteochondrosis.
Depending on the location of the lesion (upper, middle, lower part of the thoracic segment), symptoms such as cough, gastritis, so-called "swelling in the throat", increased pressure, arrhythmia, impaired intestinal motility may appear. . Therefore, before making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor should conduct a thorough examination to rule out other diseases.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The initial manifestations of osteochondrosis are pain in the lower back and spread to the lower extremities. At rest, a person practically does not feel uncomfortable, but if he is engaged in physical labor, moves suddenly, or stays in one position for a long time, the pain accompanied by back pain and numbness of the lower extremities intensifies.
As the disease progresses, the pain syndrome can be transmitted to the groin area, and when the sacrum is in a horizontal position, the person feels a significant relief. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine also has the following symptoms:
- decreased sensitivity, tingling, peeling of the skin;
- numbness of the legs, which can later turn into partial or complete paralysis;
- feeling of coldness in the legs, which is associated with disruption of blood supply due to constriction of blood vessels;
- sweating function may be impaired;
- It is also possible that the genitourinary system malfunctions due to impaired blood supply to the lower spine.
Any type of osteochondrosis is accompanied by deterioration of motor function of the vertebrae, blood flow, compression of nerve endings and spasms of muscle fibers. The initial stage of the disease responds well to treatment, it is impossible to talk about the later stages, so it is very important to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment.
Knowing the early signs of osteochondrosis of the spine, you have every chance to completely eliminate it without the use of drugs and surgery, at this stage there is a complete recovery after the use of physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercises. Stay awake, listen to your body and then you will be able to avoid many problems.