Osteochondrosis is a degenerative process that occurs in articular cartilage and adjacent bone tissue.Doctors define the disease as a degenerative and destructive disease of the vertebrae and discs: they lose moisture, height and elasticity.
Osteochondrosis 'looks younger'
If just a few decades ago joint cartilage began to deteriorate in people over 40 years old, now this disease occurs even in adolescence.
Doctors cite many reasons for this unpleasant trend.Unhealthy lifestyles, combined with adverse environmental conditions and deteriorating living standards, lead to premature wear and deformation of bone and cartilage structures.
Continuous unnatural postures, sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition accompany everyone.Few people consider the prevention of osteochondrosis and ignore physical exercise, a balanced diet and ways to maintain their own health.The result of this unconsciousness is often sadness.
Main causes of osteochondrosis
Experts are still debating how much of the disease actually plays a role.Unconditional reasons include:
- personal tendencies;
- segmental circulatory disorder;
- changes that occur with age;
- Damage to the annulus fibrosus;
- overweight;
- constant load;
- malnutrition;
- bad habits;
- Physical breakdown during menopause;
- Sedentary jobs.
Stages of development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is classified into stages based on clinical symptoms, extent of tissue damage, and patient discomfort.The pathological process occurs in four stages:
- Preclinical.First, the basic nutritional level of the intervertebral disc decreases, and its elasticity and hardness become worse.X-rays revealed no changes.Patients may experience mild fatigue, mild discomfort, stiffness, dizziness, and headache;
- Stages of discogenic radiculitis.The annulus fibrosus begins to slowly deform (cracks and bulges appear).The pain becomes more severe and sudden, and the discomfort becomes more pronounced.Symptoms such as "low back pain" appear, and the limbs begin to feel numb;
- Vascular-Nerve Root Stage.The annulus fibrosus completely loses its shape.From this moment on, a hernia will form.X-rays are very informative.The patient's subjective sensations are significant (pain, severe pain, persistent discomfort).Muscle cramps often occur and performance decreases dramatically.If nerve fibers are damaged, the first signs of internal system dysfunction are inevitable;
- As the height of the vertebrae decreases, friction begins to develop between them.Osteophytes may appear as a compensatory mechanism.These are specific bone growths that help strengthen the areas where friction is greatest.However, osteophytes can trigger an inflammatory process in the surrounding soft tissue and aggravate the pathological condition.
Disease Symptoms: Emphasis on patient well-being
Osteochondrosis is characterized by a very diverse set of symptoms.This is due to the widespread nature of the pathological process itself and its impact on most organs in the body.Patients with osteochondrosis will experience the following main symptoms:
- Static syndrome.When your vertebrae lose their shape, your posture inevitably changes.Symptoms of kyphosis, scoliosis, and lordosis occur.Discomfort is accompanied by stiffness;
- Neurological syndromes.Nervous tissue damage leads to paresthesia (impaired sensitivity) in different areas, with numbness, tingling, and a "crawling" feeling;
- Vascular syndrome.Blood circulation is interrupted due to deformed vertebrae compressing large blood vessels and capillaries.Results: Nausea, dizziness, pale face, signs of hypoxia;
- Nutritional symptoms.Trophic ulcers may appear on the surface of the skin due to the destruction of tissue nutrition (due to compression of small blood vessels).
cervical osteochondrosis
The first manifestation of cervical osteochondrosis is headache.Analgesics do not relieve pain.Typically, pain begins in the parietal area and flows smoothly into the temporal area.Over time, patients begin to experience discomfort and numbness in the shoulder girdle.
As the blood supply to the brain is compromised, a person may experience dizziness, nausea, and increased tinnitus.If the nutrition of the visual area is destroyed, vision will usually decrease dramatically.
Older adults may experience sudden loss of consciousness and have difficulty with memory and coordination.Rare symptoms include shortness of breath, anxiety and hiccups.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
The chest area is least affected.One of the main causes of the pathology is considered to be scoliosis and improper work at a desk (i.e., sedentary work).From the onset of the disease, patients experience a dull pain.As the disease progresses, it can cause other symptoms: chest pain, numbness, paresthesia, pain in the liver and kidney areas.
In the differential diagnosis, deforming processes in the chest region may be confused with myocardial infarction and intercostal neuralgia.An electrocardiogram and a more thorough examination (no cyanosis, pallor, sallow skin) can accurately confirm the diagnosis.
Lumbosacral osteochondrosis
The most common type of osteochondrosis.This is because this area of the spine bears the greatest load.Hernias most commonly occur here, complicating the clinical picture.
Main symptoms: Prolonged pain, muscle aches, discomfort, rare low back pain, paresthesia that sometimes stops and then resumes.The sensitivity of the skin on your feet, calves, and thighs may change.
Common causes of osteochondrosis in this department are trauma, mechanical compression, and strenuous physical activity.One of the most unpleasant consequences of lumbosacral deformity is "slippage" of the vertebrae and problems with the function of nearby organs.
What osteochondrosis pain can tell you
The nature and specificity of the pain depends on where the deformation process is most intense.Key Features: Damaged vertebrae compress nerve roots, causing pain in the area responsible for the nerve plexus.
The problem can be distributed as follows:
- Neck - headaches, neck and shoulder stiffness, vision, breathing and other important dysfunction;
- Chest area - pain in the heart, low back pain in the arms and internal organs, impaired digestion, cardiac arrhythmias, problems with the function of the endocrine system.The pain is always strong and sharp;
- Lower back - aches, persistent pain, genitourinary malfunction, pelvic congestion, reproductive dysfunction.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Doctors need to collect as complete a medical history as possible.During the exam, the specialist will palpate the areas where pain is most noticeable.
X-rays will provide a lot of information.Especially in the final stages of the disease.
Modern diagnostic methods, including MRI and CT, can most accurately examine the processes of destruction of cartilage and bone tissue.In addition, hernias and other soft tissue defects near the source of disease can be easily diagnosed using this technique.
For the differential diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis, an electrocardiogram is required.Patients must undergo general blood and urine tests.
Computer work and the development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is an insidious disease.It affects both the "office plankton" who sits in front of a computer all the time, and the senior worker who puts his health under tremendous stress.Irrational work, neglect of the rules for preventing osteochondrosis and an unhealthy lifestyle lead to the rapid destruction of bone and cartilage tissue.
The modern young generation is overly "computerized".Many medical professionals believe this is one of the main reasons why osteochondrosis has become so common and affects young people.Top tips from the experts:
- It is necessary to monitor your posture and position at your desk;
- Even during hard work, it’s important to take breaks and “stretch” your body;
- You can’t stand the discomfort of sitting in front of a computer.The body, especially the back, should be comfortable;
- Active lifestyle.Time spent working or relaxing in front of the computer should be alternated with physical recreation or light gymnastics.
wrong way of life
An unbalanced diet can lead to osteochondrosis.Junk food attacks multiple "fronts" at once.First, obesity caused by fast food and similar snacks is one of the root causes of spinal dysfunction.Salt and other harmful elements deposited in the bones only exacerbate the problem and speed up the destructive process.
Alcohol and smoking have similar effects.Harmful substances affect the cellular level and have damaging effects on bone tissue and cartilage surfaces, which are most sensitive to nicotine.
By examining your lifestyle, diet, and eliminating bad habits, you can prevent the onset or progression of osteochondrosis.The ability to move with ease and freedom is a true luxury and a gift from nature to everyone.Unfortunately, the value of pain-free movement only becomes clear when pathological processes render the body immobile.
Taking care of your health today means a happy, fulfilling life in the future.