The most common form of spinal disease is osteochondrosis. This disease is relatively easy to treat if noticed in the early stages. In the future, there are severe (sometimes even irreversible) consequences. Most often, the causes are unfavorable heredity and age-related changes in the structure of bone tissue. Infections, injuries, curvature of the spine, carrying heavy weights, and simply staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time can provoke pathology.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
In medical practice, thoracic, sacrococcygeal, cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis are distinguished. Typical signs of the latter are frequent dizziness, paresis, tension in the muscles of the neck and upper limbs, and cervical backache. Backache is an intense pain that is felt when moving the head. The person cannot move the neck normally and takes the least painful position. Overexertion, a long stay in an uncomfortable position can provoke a symptom. Symptoms and consequences of osteochondrosis, by the way, are often associated. So, with a pathology of such localization, vision may deteriorate, fainting and various signs of impaired brain activity due to insufficient blood supply are also characteristic.
A rare form of the disease is thoracic osteochondrosis. The disease is difficult to diagnose because there is no pain in this part of the spine. Most often, discomfort is felt under the shoulder blades, and therefore is perceived as a symptom of diseases of the heart, respiratory system or kidneys. Therefore, patients do not turn to the specialist who can actually help. The consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis are a violation of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory organs and heart, because in this part of the body some centers are concentrated that are responsible for the normal functioning of internal organs. The symptoms are chest pains.
The lumbar region is most at risk of developing osteochondrosis. This area is very mobile, it is affected by significant loads. The onset of the disease is often not accompanied by any symptoms. Osteochondrosis begins with a feeling of fatigue and slight discomfort, but over time, the discomfort increases. Often additional symptoms of cervicalosteochondrosis. The consequences are the most unfavorable.
The sacrococcygeal form of the disease rarely manifests itself. Very often, the pathology is accompanied by lumbar osteochondrosis. The symptoms are very similar. Often, with sacrococcygeal osteochondrosis, the lower limbs become numb, painful sensations appear in the corresponding section, paresis of the muscles of the leg.
Consequences of osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, a person always complains of pain, which is accompanied by many other unpleasant symptoms and concomitant diseases. A serious complication is a violation of the work of blood vessels, compression of the sciatic nerve, sciatica, intervertebral hernia and other complex pathologies. Ignoring the symptoms of the disease and inadequate treatment (refusal of traditional therapy, late visit to the doctor, non-compliance with individual recommendations of a specialist, incorrect diagnosis) can lead to the fact that several minor, but no less dangerous pathologies are added to the main diagnosis.
Severe headaches
The consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are severe headaches. It is there that the artery is located, which provides an adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain. As the disease progresses, the vertebral discs lose their shock-absorbing functions, so that even minor loads provoke their displacement. As a result, bone formations grow pathologically, the discs are displaced and exert significant pressure on the artery. This is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (3 degrees or even earlier)experienced by most patients.
Migraines in diseases of the spine are associated with compression of nerves and arteries, hypertensive syndrome (a set of symptoms caused by increased intracranial pressure), pinched nerve endings and muscle spasm. Typically, attacks of pain occur when moving and turning the head, vomiting, nausea, high blood pressure, irritability, and a feeling of weakness in the body are possible. Sometimes there may be pain in the shoulders and shoulder blades, impaired function of the heart and blood vessels (as a complication of cervical osteochondrosis).
When the spine is deformed, the pain is one-sided, bursting. For cupping, you can use ointments with a warming effect (Finalgon, Kapsikam) to increase blood circulation in the muscles of the neck, relieving pain spasms. With severe pain, you need to lie down in bed and completely relax the muscles of the spine. Massage during an attack is undesirable. This speeds up the flow of blood, but does not affect the source of pain. As a result, the patient's well-being may worsen. Cold compresses are acceptable.
Deterioration of visual acuity
What are the consequences of cervical osteochondrosis? The list is quite extensive. The consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (if the disease is not treated for a long time) is visual impairment, because in this section there are arteries that provide blood supply to the central visual structures. Compression causes disruption of the functioning of many parts of the brain, including reduced visual acuity. The level of oxygen in the brain tissues falls, the conductivity of nerve impulses worsens. This indicates a complicated course of the pathology and needs prompt treatment.
Also, a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis is the vertebral artery syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by double vision, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, eye pain and tension, darkening of the eyes, fog, flashing black dots and multi-colored spots before the eyes. An examination with such symptoms will show that the arterial vessels of the retina are narrowed, swelling of the optic nerve is possible, sometimes glaucoma develops against the background, which is accompanied by pain and a feeling of fullness due to increased intraocular pressure.
Hearing loss
The consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a decrease in hearing by 25-30%, periodic dizziness and ringing in the ears. These symptoms are caused by compression of the nerve roots. You can improve your hearing with specific exercises, such as listening to music or watching TV at a low volume. Massage of the auricles also gives a positive effect. At the first sign of hearing loss, you should go to the hospital, because partial deafness is a common complication of osteochondrosis.
Sciatica (radiculopathy)
The disease affects about 10% of patients over the age of 40. The disease affects the nerves of the spinal cord, paresis, sensitivity disorder and pain occur. The result of pathological changes in the spine is the compression of blood vessels, spinal rootsand spinal cord, that is, blood circulation worsens. Due to poor blood flow, paralysis of the limbs, neurological syndromes and impaired brain function can develop. Different forms of the disease can develop, which have different symptoms. Painkillers, tranquilizers and analgesics, as well as novocaine-hydrocortisone blockades are prescribed for treatment. In difficult cases, infusion therapy is indicated.
Pain attacks (lumbago)
Lumbago is a consequence of osteochondrosis, if the pathology is not treated. The condition is characterized by acute pain in the lower back caused by irritation of the nerves and compression of the spinal cord. The most severe pain is noted at the beginning of the attack. It lasts approximately 30 minutes, but sometimes it can last several hours. After the intensity of spasms goes down. The next attack usually comes at night and passes only on the seventh day. With timely therapy, the unpleasant symptoms of lumbago disappear after 5-8 weeks.
Spasms of the back muscles, acute pain in the lower back, decreased motor functions can become a manifestation of lumbago. The main symptom is throbbing, tingling or shooting pains that radiate to the thigh, buttock, and spinal muscles. The attack often complements the "cauda equina syndrome". At the same time, weakness appears in one or two legs, numbness, the work of the digestive and genitourinary systems is disrupted (urinary retention or involuntary urination, intestinal obstruction). Lumbago may be a consequence of osteochondrosis of the thoracic regionspine. The syndrome also occurs in other localizations of the disease.
Lumbalgia can be a consequence of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. In this case, the onset of an attack is preceded by a lower back injury, hypothermia, or severe stress on the spine. The pathological condition lasts from a month to several years. The main goal in the treatment of pain is to relieve symptoms and prevent new attacks. Therefore, at the first signs of pathology, you need to go to the doctor. Treatment of lumbago is carried out with anti-inflammatory ointments and suppositories ("Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac", "Fastum Gel"), drugs against muscle spasms ("Spazgan", "Papaverine") and injections. During the entire course of therapy (one week), bed rest must be observed.
Sciatica: symptoms and treatment
What consequences of osteochondrosis may appear? Often, patients are diagnosed with sciatica, that is, compression of the sciatic nerve in the sacrum, which is accompanied by a complex of symptoms. When pinched, severe pain occurs that radiates to the thigh or buttock, as well as the lower leg. Symptoms are muscle stiffness, aching pain in different parts of the body, spasms and tension of the muscles of the lower back, exacerbation of pain with movement, sneezing or coughing, as well as a change in body position, shooting pains, the intensity of which may increase to such an extent that the patient cannot walk or even sleep. Sensitivity in the lower extremities and in the pelvis also decreases, muscle atrophy may occur (usually one leg loses weight).
Sciatica is associated with osteochondrosis of the lower back or sacrum, herniated discs (another consequence of osteochondrosis). The disease can manifest itself due to heavy loads on the back, destruction of the tissues of the spinal column, damage to the sciatic nerve due to trauma, various infectious diseases, high blood sugar, oncological diseases, and so on. As a rule, sciatica causes a feeling of "goosebumps", loss of sensation in the toes and lower leg, problems with lifting the trunk, difficulty standing for a long time, complete or partial paralysis of the lower extremities, muscle weakness. Treatment should be directed to the causes of the pathological condition.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia
This diagnosis is made by 90% of patients. Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a syndrome characterized by a violation of the autonomic functions of internal organs due to malfunctions of the central nervous system. This can also be a consequence of osteochondrosis of the spine. VVD can be accompanied by neurosis, depression and other disorders. The appearance of dystonia in many cases is preceded by improper treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. These two diseases increase the risk of other pathologies.
VSD with cervical osteochondrosis is manifested by pain in the muscles and spine, general weakness, sudden changes in body temperature, sexual dysfunction, frequent jumps in blood pressure, convulsions and numbness of the limbs, pain in the back of the head, which are shooting in nature, impaired heat transfer.
Basicthe goal of treatment is to stop the destructive processes in the bone and cartilage tissues of the spine. Physiotherapy exercises, pool visits and massages are recommended on an ongoing basis. Removes the main symptoms of VVD manual therapy. Drug treatment includes taking anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac), chondroprotectors (Teraflex, Structum, Artra) and analgesics (Nise, Etodin Fort, Ketanov). Soothing, antioxidants are shown to eliminate symptoms. For panic attacks or nervous disorders, antidepressants (Grandaxin, Paxil, Noofen) and tranquilizers are used.
Diseases of the urogenital area
The consequence of osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree can be various kinds of pathologies of the genitourinary system. Often, patients have pain in the bladder, groin area, in the lower abdomen, urination disorders (incomplete emptying of the bladder, urinary retention or involuntary urination, burning, too frequent urination), bladder dysfunction, decreased potency in men, weak sexual desire in women, irregular menstrual cycles. In most patients, these symptoms completely disappeared only after complex treatment of osteochondrosis.
The connection between diseases of the spine and the urogenital area is diagnosed for a reason. Confirmation is the pronounced clinical signs of degenerative processes in the tissues of the spine, the simultaneous manifestation of symptoms. NotIt is recommended that if you suspect osteochondrosis or diseases of the urogenital area, self-medicate. It is important to remember that only a doctor can make a complete diagnosis, identify links between pathologies and prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Herniated discs
Symptoms of a herniated disc depend on the location of the problem. This consequence of osteochondrosis is characterized by muscle weakness in the arms and shoulders, shooting pains in the upper limbs, numbness of the chest wall and shoulders, if the roots of the spinal cord are compressed in the thoracic or cervical region. With a lumbar hernia, pain is felt in one leg, they are constantly or only periodically disturbed, have a paroxysmal character, and often appear when sitting for a long time. Unpleasant sensations disappear or decrease as the spine relaxes, but intensify with careless movement, coughing or sneezing.
In most cases (approximately 80%), the treatment of an uncomplicated hernia does not require surgery. Within six to twelve months, it loses moisture and decreases in size. At the same time, all the unpleasant symptoms of pathology disappear. It is impossible to shorten the drying time of the hernia. This is a completely natural process.
Spondylarthrosis
Chronic disease of the spine is characterized by degenerative-dystophic changes in various segments of the motor apparatus. Most often, the pathology affects the lumbar region. With the development of spondylarthrosis, cracks appear in the body of the nucleus, fibersthe annulus fibrosus is destroyed, and the structure of the blood vessels changes. In the early stages, the pathology proceeds without an inflammatory process, but in the future, the disease can lead to the formation of bone spurs and tissue damage. Spondylarthrosis accompanies osteochondrosis, is an age-related disease (usually the disease manifests itself after thirty or forty years).
The main symptom is a feeling of discomfort in the affected area. More often the pain is aching or pulling in nature. At rest, the discomfort disappears, but with the slightest movement, the intensity of the pain increases. At first, the pain is only local, but already at the second or third stage, discomfort is felt in different parts of the back. In addition, there are symptoms that require complex treatment. Therapy is based on the use of drugs ("Etodin Fort", "Nalgezin", "Nurofen"), which provide pain relief. Measures are being taken to reduce the load on the spine.
Spondylosis (bulging discs)
The causes of the development of pathology are the same as in spondylarthrosis. In the early stages, this consequence of osteochondrosis may not show any symptoms, but then there is a dull or aching pain in the lesion. As pathological formations grow, severe back pain appears, and in case of complications, damage to the sciatic nerve, vertebral hernia, and displacement of the vertebrae are possible. The disease mainly affects the tissues of the cervical region, but sometimes it develops in other segments of the spine.
If spondylosis is the result of cervical osteochondrosis,then there are pains in the back of the head, a feeling of stiffness in the muscles, pain in the shoulder or elbow, radiating from the neck. Loss of sensitivity of the fingers, headaches, ringing in the ears, decreased visual acuity are characteristic. The consequence of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is manifested by intercostal neuralgia and shortness of breath. Lumbar spondylosis is characterized by muscle weakness, numbness of the legs, inflammation in the sciatic nerve, lumbar pain, and intermittent claudication. In treatment, it is important to slow down the destructive changes in the tissues of the spine, eliminate symptoms and improve blood flow. Therapy should be carried out together with the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Narrowing of the spinal canal
Another dangerous consequence of lumbar osteochondrosis (or a disease of other localization) is a narrowing of the canal, which can lead to disability. The disease is the last (fourth) stage of osteochondrosis. Compression of the vertebral structures prevents normal blood flow. As a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (if the disease is not treated on time), narrowing is characterized by intense headaches, frequent dizziness and fainting, pain on one or both sides of the neck, changes in the sensitivity of the head, neck and hands, tension in the upper limbs, paralysis of the whole body, problems with breath.
With stenosis (narrowing of the canal) of the lumbar spine, the pain in the lower back increases with the slightest movement, and with relaxation, the discomfort is moderate or not felt at all. Also characteristic are a feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs, defecation and urination disorders, pain like sciatica, which is relieved insitting or leaning forward, lameness. The clinical picture may change over time, because the symptoms are fully dependent on the degree of compression of the discs.
As part of complex therapy, vascular ("Berlitonin", "Vinpocetine", "Actovegin"), anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are prescribed. Be sure to show physiotherapy, massage procedures, taking steroid drugs along with anesthetics. Exercise is shown to strengthen the muscles. Severe attacks can be removed by blockades. For this, local anesthetics are administered, which relieve inflammation and swelling. In some cases, treatment is not complete without surgery. Surgery is required for partial paralysis, severe exacerbation, long absence of any therapy, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, or low effectiveness of conservative treatment.
Advice from specialists in choosing treatment tactics
The treatment regimen is determined depending on which disease caused the symptoms and consequences. The doctor may recommend both conservative treatment and surgery. In any case, an integrated approach is needed. Most often, the treatment includes manual and reflexology, various types of water massages, exercise therapy, therapeutic nutrition, drug therapy, sessions with a psychologist, laser and ultrasound therapy, vibration stimulation, electrical stimulation, magnetostimulation, and so on. A visit to a psychologist or psychotherapist is recommended if the patient himself cannot believe in the possibilityrehabilitation. As a rule, the situation improves after a few sessions., "No-Shpa"), antioxidants ("Antiox +", "Glutargin"), anti-inflammatory drugs ("Ibufen", "Nimesil"), correctors of psychosomatic disorders ("Persen", "Tenoten"). In the event that conservative therapy does not help, you need to resort to surgical intervention. Most often, during the operation, the resulting hernias are removed or some vertebrae are replaced. Many aftereffects of grade 3 osteochondrosis (cervical, sacrococcygeal, lumbar or thoracic) are also treated surgically.
Problems with the spine are often recommended to be treated with folk methods. Various healers claim that the effectiveness of traditional medicine is much higher, and it does no harm. In the case of osteochondrosis, the only options for non-traditional treatment should concern a maximum of baths, special applications or ointments. It is best to supplement traditional treatment with such methods, and not completely abandon the recommendations of the attending physician. This is due to the fact that such pathologies of the spine can subsequently lead to complete disability. Rejection of the traditionalmedicine will not lead to anything good. Such a patient will soon face the serious consequences of grade 3 cervical osteochondrosis, for example, or another form of the disease, some of which are extremely difficult to treat.
