Sometimes when people have problems with their spine, doctors make a diagnosis such as "lordosis". What it is, how it manifests itself and why it occurs, we will consider in detail in this material. In addition, you will learn about the methods of treatment and diagnosis of this disease.
Etiology
Pathological lordosis is a polyetiological disease that develops against the background of a number of predisposing factors, including:
- injuries of the lower extremities and spinal column;
- overweight and obese;
- vertebral malformations;
- prolonged posture disorder;
- spinal tumor;
- osteoporosis;
- inflammatory processes in the vertebrae;
- dysplasia and dislocation of the hip joints;
- Ankylosing spondylitis;
- flat feet;
- contracture or spasm of the back muscles;
- osteochondrosis;
- kyphosis;
- smoking, alcoholism;
- high growth rate in adolescence;
- spondylosis;
- dysfunction of the endocrine glands (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism);
- herniated discs;
- tuberculosis of the spine;
- muscle imbalance;
- radiculitis of the spine;
- deficiency of vitamins, proteins, macro- and microelements.
Long stay at the computer, inactive lifestyle, sedentary work, lack of physical activity also provoke the development of the disease.
Classification
Lordosis is the curvature of the spine, in which its bulge is turned forward. Physiological lordosis is recorded in all people in the lumbar and cervical spine. A huge role in the formation of physiological lordosis is played by the development of the bones of the shoulder and pelvic girdle, the condition of the spine and the muscular system of the child.
Pathological lordosis is localized, as a rule, in the same departments, but differs from the physiological degree of bending. In rare cases, pathological lordosis may occur at the site of thoracic kyphosis.
Also distinguish between primary and secondary lordosis. What it is? So, primary lordosis develops due to pathologies of the spinal column, and secondary - due to diseases of the body, accompanied by obesity, the appearance of malignant neoplasms, metabolic disorders.
Symptomatics
Lordosis of the cervical region is manifested as follows:
- constant aching pain in the shoulders, neck and shoulder blades;
- postural disorders;
- sleep disorder;
- tinnitus;
- decrease in range of motion andmuscle strength in upper limbs;
- migraine;
- nausea;
- hypertension.
In addition to all of the above, if the patient has a disease, there is a decrease in immunity, fatigue, and problems when performing certain physical actions. Due to improper load distribution, patients diagnosed with cervical lordosis quite often complain of pain in the back or neck, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure, and sometimes disorders of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. An unnatural posture during lordosis contributes to excessive muscle tension in the affected part of the spinal column.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of "lordosis of the cervical spine" is established on the basis of anamnestic data, visual examination and instrumental examination. An external examination is carried out by a surgeon, therapist or traumatologist. The presence of pathology indicates a violation of posture. In order to determine what kind of lordosis the patient has in the cervical region (pathological or physiological), doctors use special rulers. One of them is applied to the edges of the lordosis, and the second is set perpendicular to the entire depth of the concavity. After the manipulations, the distance from the top of the concavity to the first ruler is measured. When the cervical lordosis is straightened, the indicated distance does not exceed three centimeters. Of the instrumental diagnostic methods, X-ray, magnetic resonance and computed tomography are used.
Treatment methods
So, we continue to talk about such a disease as lordosis. What it is, we found out, but how to deal with this disease? Only an experienced doctor will be able to establish the true causes that provoked the development of the disease, and prescribe the most effective treatment. Therefore, you should not self-medicate, when the first symptoms of the disease are detected, you need to contact a specialist, since this pathology can be cured well in the early stages of development. Treatment of lordosis should be comprehensive, including courses of medication and physiotherapy.
Drug therapy
Primary cervical lordosis is almost incurable. A positive result can give surgical intervention. With secondary lordosis, the situation is somewhat more optimistic. After the elimination of the main cause that provoked the development of the disease, they begin treatment. Straightening lordosis in the early stages is much more effective than treating an advanced form of the disease. The most severe complications of lordosis include chronic compression, pinching of nerve endings.
If a diagnosis of "cervical lordosis" is established, then doctors prescribe a course of NSAIDs ("Arcoxia", "Movalis", "Dolobene", "Diclofenac", "Ketonal"). To relieve pain, water-soluble B vitamins (cyanocobalamin, thiamine, pyridoxine) are often prescribed. Muscle relaxants (Sirdalkut, Midolkam) are used to eliminate muscle spasm. To activate reparative processes in the vertebrae, chondroprotectors ("Chondrogard", "Alflutop") are prescribed.
Physiotherapy
Many experts say that the most effective treatment for lordosis is physiotherapy:
- magnetotherapy;
- UHF;
- wearing neck collars;
- manual therapy;
- underwater spinal traction;
- massage the affected area;
- acupuncture;
- course of physiotherapy exercises (swimming, gymnastics, etc.).
Diet therapy
Nutrition plays an important role in the treatment of the disease. The diet should include the following foods:
- low-fat meats (chicken, veal, turkey, beef) and fish (cod, navaga, haddock, pollock, polar cod, pike perch, perch, roach, flounder);
- vegetable soups;
- milk and dairy products;
- cereals from cereals;
- bread and other pastries;
- fresh fruits.
It is recommended to remove the following list of products from your diet:
- mayonnaise;
- smoked meats;
- ketchup;
- s alty and sour foods;
- coffee;
- carbonated drinks;
- sweets;
- alcohol;
- legumes (lentils, peas, beans).
Prevention
In order to prevent cervical lordosis, doctors recommend following some rules:
- rational nutrition;
- quitting smoking and drinking alcohol;
- fighting overweight;
- strengthening the muscle corset (yoga, aerobics, fitness);
- active lifestyle (cycling, hiking, swimming);
- he althy sleep on hard mattresses.
So, if lordosis is diagnosed, what it is, what are the causes and symptoms of the pathology, you now understand. Don't hesitate to see a doctor if you have these symptoms!
