Osteochondrosis is one of the most common problems associated with back disease.
This disease involves a change in the internal shape of the spine and a decrease in the plasticity of the plates between the vertebrae, during which there are disorders related to the nutrition of the cells.
The lumbar spine suffers the most because this part of the spine bears most of the load. When you lift heavy objects, all the force in your body is directed to the distance between the vertebrae, leading to compression of the nerve roots. Therefore, there are problems and pains in lumbar osteochondrosis.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
These causes can occur even in the younger generation, especially when the musculoskeletal system is associated with different types of problems. These are:
- birth defects such as different lengths of limbs;
- flat legs of various types and stages;
- changes in the shape of the spine (scoliosis);
- A change in the location of the lumbar vertebra that can slide down in different directions from the sacrum.
These diseases can have a negative effect on the spine, impairing its functions. Doctors often believe that lumbar osteochondrosis can also occur at the genetic level. For example, if your parents have suffered from this disease, there is a high probability that their child will also suffer from such diseases of the spine.
In addition, the most well-known cause of the disease is heavy physical work. Indeed, if we lift objects that are too heavy, there is a heavy load on the lumbar spine, leading to its violation.
The next cause of lumbar osteochondrosis is obesity. Extra pounds, like ballast, accumulate in and around the body, having a negative effect on the spine and vertebrae, causing difficulty and pain during movement. If, at first glance, it seems that violating the shape of the spine does not lead to negative consequences, you are greatly mistaken. This problem leads to wear of the plates located between the vertebrae, which leads to further development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, it is imperative to monitor the condition of your body and prevent excess body fat. Adipose tissue interferes with movement, putting additional stress on your muscles, joints, ligaments, and spine.
A not least known cause of spinal disease is back injury. Punches, bruises, heavy loads and lifting shells in athletes who are not prepared for such loads have a negative effect on the back. Injury to any section of the spine could have negative consequences in the future, such as osteochondrosis of the spine.
And the most popular cause of back disease, as everyone knows, is the inactive lifestyle, where one usually sits in one place without exercising and stretching. Most often, this applies to people who work in an office or simply like to be in one place for a long time without moving, not playing sports, and not stretching. Adequate physical activity is required to maintain a healthy back and spine (and the whole body in general). If you move a little and sit constantly, it can lead to damage to blood circulation in the body. This factor causes back pain, the body does not receive all the nutrients, the spine weakens and many other diseases occur.
A healthy lifestyle is one of the postulates of healthy blood vessels and joints. Take time to exercise regularly and your body will respond positively to it.
Diseases caused by infections or inflammatory processes in the body negatively affect the condition of bone tissue and ligaments, which can lead to weakening of the vertebrae. Most of the load is taken over by the lumbar region, which can lead to changes in the shape of the vertebrae.
Stress also causes pain in the spine, especially in women, as they experience feelings and emotions more strongly. Stress negatively affects the health and nervous system of the whole body. Underlying stress, various diseases, including lumbar osteochondrosis, can worsen and become inflamed.
Help!You should monitor your nerves carefully and avoid situations with irritation or negative emotions.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
In the initial stage, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease. Most diseases are asymptomatic, however, everyone is able to feel non-standard feelings in the body. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the first symptoms of spinal disease. Pain occurs gradually, you need to be able to identify it properly and contact a specialist in a timely manner because it is easiest to cure the disease at an early stage.
Most symptoms have a single feature:
- Pain in the lumbar region. A total of two types are distinguished: neurogenic pain and muscle pain. The intervertebral disc itself does not feel pain as it does not contain nerve endings. Painful sensations occur as a result of the destruction of nerve root plates that form from the opening between the vertebrae.
- The pain is too sharp, like a shot. A person grabs the lower back and is unable to straighten up for fear of feeling pain again. Such pain occurs as a result of swelling of the nerve root, which does not have enough space to stay.
- In addition, the pain is caused by swelling of the back muscles. In edema, there is a problem with the supply of glucose and air to the muscle fibers in the back. That is why the muscles are tense. They experience starvation and are also able to remove lactic acid from the fibers formed in them during muscle activity. Therefore, the muscle contracts, which causes pain and cramps. The person feels pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the back and lower back.
- Because the disk can pinch the root of the motor, it is possible to attack paresis or paralysis. There may be a feeling of weakness in the limbs, which contributes to a violation of gait.
- Muscle atrophy can occur in which the volume of one limb decreases. Feeling of numbness in the legs, goosebumps, streaks and nails growing on the limbs.
Scoliosis can lead to serious consequences, including damage to and disruption of internal organs.
So here are the general signs and symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis disease:
- radical pain;
- muscle pain in the back;
- movement disorders;
- limb hypersensitivity disorder;
- Stop creepy feelings, numb legs, hair and nail plate growth.
Being overweight is another enemy of the joints and spine.
If your muscle ligament is not properly reinforced, the joints will carry the load on themselves, leading to injury.
These symptoms are essential, but the answer is that there are also unique symptoms that do not occur in all patients. These depend on the individual characteristics of a person and are the most difficult to define or define.
Stages of lumbar osteochondrosis
The disease develops in four stages.
First stage- the initial stage of the disease. With this, the patient has pain in the lower back as well as swelling in this area of the spine with cramps. Paying attention to your symptoms and visiting a specialist in time can prevent further back problems. At this stage, the treatment is performed quite simply and quickly, allowing you to get rid of back problems and pain.
Second Stage- In this stage, the pain becomes more permanent and more severe than the first. Feelings of unusual mobility may appear in the joints and ligaments of the spine, resulting in increased pain, sharpness, and palpability. Painful feelings are caused by contraction of the sciatic nerve. In some cases, it is possible to damage a person's internal organs. Be sure to consult a professional to choose the right treatment.
Third stage- at this stage, intervertebral hernias are already developing. The spine begins to bend, its shape changes in different directions (scoliosis, lordosis and other diseases of the spine develop). Painful feelings are constant, sharp, and torment the person. The full value of life becomes problematic as one is constantly constrained by pain. Treatment may be delayed at this stage as the disease begins to progress.
Thefourth stageis the most difficult stage. Back pain is regular, sometimes constant. A person cannot move completely, pain hinders movement. If treatment is not prescribed in time, the patient may remain disabled.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis disease
The treatment of this disease is very complex. Comprehensive treatment is needed. Includes:
- medication;
- adherence to a therapeutic diet;
- in severe stages of the disease - surgery;
- Perform special physical activities selected by your doctor.
To reduce swelling of the back muscles, a salt-free diet is needed as it retains water in the body. In case of illness, it is necessary to maintain the muscles in the desired position by using a special orthopedic corset.
Use of special warming ointments and patches. However, it is worth remembering that if inflammatory processes occur in your body, the use of warming medications is unacceptable as it will increase the symptoms of inflammation.
Acute pain is treated with intramuscular injections as prescribed by your doctor. If the pain is severe and intolerable, it is possible to use intramuscular anesthetics.
Physiotherapy is a painless process to accelerate the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. Remember that treatment should be comprehensive and under the supervision of your doctor.
Physiotherapy is essential in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. They are performed in health care institutions. Physical activity is performed after preheating the patient's muscle tissue.
The main principle of treatment is movement to tone muscle fibers. It is essential to restore the motor function of the muscle tissue to provide a full range of motion. Most often, osteochondrosis is treated for several weeks in the early stages. In advanced stages with severe pain and symptoms, treatment may be delayed. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the painful feelings in the back area in time and consult a professional.
Important!The sooner you start treatment, the faster you can overcome the disease.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Prevention of the disease will never be unnecessary.
To avoid this issue, follow these guidelines:
- Cool, dress according to the weather to keep your back healthy.
- Avoid lifting heavy loads. If you need to move heavy objects, carry them in your backpack. It is highly recommended for untrained athletes not to crash into heavy work weights immediately.
- Avoid falling on your back, especially in winter when it is icy. It leads to any back injury.
- Drink plenty of clean water and other fluids.
- Keep in shape so that being overweight does not cause this type of disease.
- Exercise and stretch your muscle fibers regularly.
- Stretch your back muscles. You can hang out at the bar or go for a swim in the pool.
- Have regular medical check-ups. You can do a spinal x-ray or MRI to check the condition and health of your back.
Hyperextension posterior extension is a great way to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
By following these simple guidelines, you can avoid back problems, including lumbar osteochondrosis. If you suddenly feel unusual sensations in your back, contact your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Monitor the condition of your back and spine to avoid problems and illnesses associated with them. This requires moderate physiotherapy exercises that promote muscle tone and prevent many diseases in different parts of the back. If different types of pain are detected, a specialist should be consulted in a timely manner to make a consultation and make the right and right decision because the disease is easy to treat at an early stage. Don’t run yourself and your health, as your life and freedom of movement depend on the health of your back when you perform activities that are common in everyday life.
We hope the article was helpful to you, you learned new points about lumbar osteochondrosis, and now you can avoid this problem. Be healthy and take care of yourself because a healthy back ensures the health of the whole body, a long and happy life without pain!