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 back pain accompanied by impaired mobility, and many do not even suspect that all these problems are signs of osteochondrosis, the most common disease of the spine. It is very important to recognize the problem in its initial stage, as the later stages of the disease are difficult to treat and when you start the disease, you risk losing mobility completely.
Today we will talk about how osteochondrosis manifests itself and what symptoms accompany this disease.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
The process of destruction in osteochondrosis affects not only the cartilaginous tissue of the spine, but also vessels, arteries, nerve endings, so the symptoms, or rather syndromes of osteochondrosis, are combined according to the general clinical manifestations of the disease. .
- Due to the change and destruction of the vertebrae there is excessive pressure on the vessels, the main arteries as a result of deteriorating blood supply, hypoxia develops - this syndrome is called vascular.
- Vertebral deformity, which occurs during the disease, leads to unusual changes in the spine (lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis), the banal change in posture is a static syndrome.
- Disruption of nerve endings, blood vessels and arteries leads to deterioration of metabolic processes in tissues, delivery of nutrients to them, resulting in symptoms (in the form of ulcerative manifestations on the skin) of osteochondrosis, which is called trophic syndrome.
- Disruption of nerve endings is accompanied by tingling of the skin, deterioration of the muscular response, such symptoms of the disease are called neurological syndrome.
The disease can affect any segment of the spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, in addition, it often affects two areas at once. The signs of osteochondrosis directly depend on the place of its localization and the degree of destruction of the affected area.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Today, cervical osteochondrosis is often diagnosed in the working age population, and the first signs that, as usual, few people pay attention to are frequent occipital headaches, gradually moving to the temporal area. Also, the initial stage of the disease is accompanied by discomfort, pulling short-term pain in the cervical spine, crunching when turning his head.
In addition, without proper treatment, the disease progresses, the pain intensifies, the sensitivity decreases (this is due to the deterioration of the blood supply) of the upper shoulder girdle.
The apogee of the disease is a complete loss of motor activity of the upper extremities. Also, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis that occur as a result of impaired blood supply are:
- deterioration of the functions of the vestibular apparatus, dizziness, noise, ringing, whistling in the ears; impaired visual function (blurred vision, flies in front of the eyes);
- in the elderly, periodic loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and lack of oxygen are possible.
In addition, a person may be tormented by snoring, tingling, often a feeling of coldness in the fingers, the likelihood of impaired coordination of movements is high.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a very rare disease, because in this place the spine is less mobile and is supported by a strong rib frame. However, this disease occurs and the signs of osteochondrosis of the chest are very diverse.
The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by pain in the chest, descending to the upper abdomen. The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast are often confused with manifestations of other diseases - cholecystitis, angina pectoris, even renal colic. Quite often the patient comes to a cardiologist with complaints of pain in the heart and after a thorough examination is referred to a neurologist with suspected osteochondrosis.
Depending on the location of the lesion (upper, middle, lower chest), symptoms such as cough, so-called "lump in the throat", gastritis, high blood pressure, arrhythmia and impaired intestinal motility may occur. Therefore, before placingaccurate diagnosis, the doctor must conduct a thorough examination to rule out other diseases.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The initial manifestations of osteochondrosis are pulling pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the lower extremities. While at rest, one hardly notices discomfort, but if one engages in physical labor, makes abrupt movements, or remains in one position for a long period of time, the sensations of pain intensify, accompanied by lumbago and tingling in the lower extremities.
As the disease progresses, the pain syndrome can be applied to the groin area, while the sacrum, while occupying a horizontal position, a person feels significant relief. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine also has the following symptoms:
- decreased sensitivity, tingling, flaking of the skin;
- numbness of the legs, which may subsequently develop into partial or complete paralysis;
- feeling of cold in the legs, this is due to impaired blood supply due to compression of the arteries, blood vessels;
- sweating function may be impaired;
- also, due to impaired blood supply to the lower spine, malfunctions in the genitourinary system are possible.
Osteochondrosis of all kinds is accompanied by deterioration of motor activity of the vertebrae, blood flow, compression of nerve endings and spasms of muscle fibers. The initial stage of the disease responds well to treatment, which cannot be said for the later stages, so it is very important to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment.
Knowing the initial signs of osteochondrosis of the spine, you have every chance to overcome it completely, without the use of drugs and surgery, at this stage there is a full recovery after the use of physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises. Be vigilant, listen to your body and then you will be able to avoid many problems.