Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, what is it?
The lumbar region of the axial skeleton is subject to maximum stress. As a result, the high frequency of diagnosing osteochondrosis in this area of the spine is not accidental.
The causes of lumbar osteochondrosis have been well identified and studied. The disease can appear in patients from the age of 30 years. But the older generation and representatives of the strong half of the world community are much more likely to encounter pathology.
Timely treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine provides an opportunity to avoid declining ability to work, quality of life, and disability.Hypothermia and strenuous physical activity are strictly forbidden to sick patients. Weightlifting, speed skating, sprinting, jumping, horseback riding, gymnastics, motor sports are contraindications for osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
A number of external and internal factors cause the onset of symptoms of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs of the axial skeleton. Symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, including dorsal back pain, cause restlessness, restlessness, and stiffness of movements.
Among the reasons for the development of pathology, it should be noted:
- increased loads on the back to the lumbar spine due to certain conditions for performing work tasks, repair work, lifting weights during training by professional and amateur athletes;
- execution of sharp and complex movements;
- overweight, which predisposes to symptoms of lumbar pathology in women and men;
- hypothermia of the body;
- incorrect behavior, causing uneven load distribution on the axle skeleton;
- sedentary lifestyle, which has a negative effect on the elasticity, blood supply of each vertebra;
- lack of ability to sit and move properly;
- congenital back pathologies or back injury as a result of sports, falls from a height, transport accidents;
- lack of a balanced nutritional diet enriched with vitamins, minerals, trace elements, as well as the organization of the correct regime of food intake, work, rest;
- regular stressful situations;
- hormonal disruption in the female body during pregnancy and menopause;
- violation of metabolic processes in the patient's body;
- genetic predisposition, which determines the porous-loose structure of spinal tissues and accelerates their degenerative-dystrophic changes;
- addiction to alcoholic beverages, smoking products, which accelerate the aging process in the human body.
Flat feet, constant wearing of uncomfortable shoes, lack of vitamins, poor environmental conditions of the surrounding space are also the causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Excluding a number of factors will help to avoid the development of pathology. When confirming the diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is recommended to be treated immediately, without waiting for complications. Ignoring the advice of qualified specialists leads to the appearance of dorsalgia and other complications. Vertebrologists know how to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine and quickly provide first aid for severe pain.
Symptoms of the disease
The lower spine is an important part of the back. And timely diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis, the treatment of which is recommended to begin as soon as possible, eliminates the risk of unpleasant consequences. Degenerative-dystrophic disease of the axial skeleton has certain symptoms.
Signs of lumbar spine osteochondrosis are included in a separate list. The most common are:
- inability to perform back turns, torso turns;
- reduced flexibility, mobility of the lumbar spine, which can be treated at home, following the doctor's recommendations;
- depression;
- increased fatigue, irritability, irritability, which is manifested in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics;
- dorsalgia in the lumbar region, which causes problems when urinating, defecating, performing daily hygiene procedures;
- display of problems during night rest;
- increased sweating;
- the appearance of a tingling and cooling sensation in the lower extremities.
Such signs of lumbar osteochondrosis indicate the need to seek the help of a qualified specialist. Vertebrologists will always help to cure this disease, to make the lives of patients better, relieving them of dorsalgia, anxiety, stiffness and anxiety.
Complications of the disease
A long period of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the intervertebral discs of the axial skeleton without proper treatment causes the development of complications and accompanying pathologies of the internal organs of patients. Early diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which indicate the need to seek the help of a vertebrologist, eliminates the risk of their occurrence. Ignoring the advice of the attending physician leads to new problems with health, well-being and quality of life.
Complications of lumbar spine osteochondrosis, which should be treated after confirmation of the diagnosis, without waiting for dorsalgia, include:- Menstrual irregularities in women and sexual activity in men; varicose veins and spasms of the arteries of the legs;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system;
- irritation and neuralgia of the sciatic nerve;
- pain that appears in the kidney area and resembles dorsalgia in the lumbar spine;
- herniated extensions and herniated discs of the intervertebral discs and the spine itself;
- radiculitis, acute and chronic lumbodinia, disability.
The unpleasant consequences of osteochondrosis of the lower back, in the absence of a correct treatment, lead to mental disorders, depression and deterioration of the quality of life not only of the patient but also of those around him, relatives, close people. It is also desirable that they have information on how to diagnose osteochondrosis.
Stages of the disease
Vertebrologists, when asked if it is possible to cure lumbar osteochondrosis, give a positive answer, provided they seek medical help in a timely manner. They distinguish four stages of disease development, each of which appears at a certain time and has its own distinctive characteristics. These include:
- The first stagepathology, which is distinguished by mild sensations of pain, aggravated by physical exertion, discomfort in the lumbar region, onset of destruction of intervertebral discs;
- The second stageof the disease, characterized by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae due to pathological changes in the fibrous rings, suppressed nerve processes, the appearance of severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis;
- The third stageof the disease, the hallmarks of which include severe destruction of the fibrous rings, formation of hernial outgrowths, a marked deformation of the axial skeleton;
- Stage 4disease, characterized by serious problems with the motor ability of a patient who is forced to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home or within the walls of a hospital, as well asat risk of becoming incapacitated.
Diagnosis of pathology
Patients are advised to know which doctor treats osteochondrosis of the spine and how to treat lumbar osteochondrosis at home. The vertebrologist, after collecting the anamnesis, external examination of sick people, describes the passage of diagnostic measures. Their list includes:
- clinical, biochemical blood test;
- X-rays, which provide an opportunity to obtain information about the condition of the axial skeleton and to describe the correct treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis at home or in a hospital setting; Computed tomography
- , which is characterized by a lower radiation load on the body, allows a more complete examination of the pathological area of the axle skeleton and answers the question of whether osteochondrosis can be treated at this stage of development;
- magnetic resonance imaging, based on the use of electromagnetic radiation, as well as providing absolutely painless, harmless examination of the spine in lumbar spine osteochondrosis.
Modern diagnostic methods are among the most informative research methods. Their results form the basis for confirmation of the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms of which indicate the presence of a back problem, and also provide an opportunity to describe the correct treatment for axial skeletal pathology.
How to deal with osteochondrosis and how to get rid of its symptoms
Vertebrologists who know how to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine at home will always come to the aid of sick patients. After receiving the results of examination of the pathological area of the spine, a number of measures are prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and prevent the development of complications. Treatment regimens for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine have been developed taking into account the age category of the patient, the structural features of the axial skeleton. Allergies are also defined, which may appear in the background of taking medication.
Key measures aimed at the effective treatment of osteochondrosis include:
- drug therapy based on taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hydroprotectors, muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes, phytopreparations;
- performing blockades that eliminate severe pain in lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which have their own characteristics;
- water treatments and shaft skeleton alignment, which are recommended to be done regularly;
- medical massage;
- Exercise therapy, which is prescribed to strengthen the muscle frame, make the vertebrae more mobile and not ask the question of how to cure lumbar osteochondrosis;
- using traditional medicine prescriptions.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is carried out against the background of a diet and balanced diet. Quitting bad habits is also a necessary measure to prevent disease progression. Orthopedic prevention of lumbar spine osteochondrosis offers an opportunity to avoid surgery.