Osteochondrosis is considered a common disease of the spine. Due to the peculiarities of lifestyle, the lower back suffers most of all, therefore the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine appear more often than others. Pathology is equally dangerous for men and women, regardless of age. Patients with the disease wear a corset, suffer during pregnancy. Diet and exercise become essential.
The disease is highlighted in a separate section of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) and is related to deforming dorsopathy (ICD-10 M42-43). A code was assigned to osteochondrosis of the spine - M42 according to ICD-10. There are such options for ICD-10:
- Juvenile osteochondrosis - M42. 0 according to ICD-10.
- Osteochondrosis in adults - M42. 1 according to ICD-10.
- Unspecified forms - M42. 9 according to ICD-10.
If earlier the disease spread to people over 30, recently there has been a tendency to affect the pathology of the younger generation. Associated with stress and prolonged exposure to the computer, a passive lifestyle.
The lower back is always subject to great strain, both motorically and through the strain of body weight. Women suffer a lot during pregnancy, people whose life history includes numerous injuries of the lumbar spine ignore such a factor as exercise. Also, studying the causes of intervertebral hernia, injuries to the sciatic nerve, one can single out the main factor - long-term osteochondrosis.
Causes and stages of pathology
All causes leading to pathology can be divided into external and internal. The first are associated with various influences of external factors. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle, who have excessive body weight are prone to osteochondrosis. In addition, there are such predisposing factors:
- professions associated with long periods of sitting;
- hypothermia;
- Weakening of the body's defenses associated with stress, overwork.
Internal causes are based on genetic predisposition and various diseases. With endocrine diseases, the restoration of bones, muscle tissue and their nutrition are disturbed. This condition can be observed with age and with genetic predisposition, especially if the history indicates spinal injuries at a young age.
Pathological disorders of the structure of the spine accelerate the occurrence of osteochondrosis, if not treated, the disease progresses rapidly. The main conditions are kyphosis, scoliosis. Medical history also shows that the most common cause of the disease is a spinal injury.
The disease has 4 stages of progression. In the first stage there are no serious disturbances in the nutrition and structure of the intervertebral discs. The symptoms are mild. They can be easily removed with painkillers. It is possible to cure the disease as quickly as possible during this period, the main thing is not to heat, not to strain your back. Diet and rehab help a lot.
Often osteochondrosis occurs during pregnancy, if not treated, it quickly passes to the next stage. The history of the disease considers the corset to be an effective remedy for the progression of the disease.
The second stage is characterized by protrusions and vivid clinical manifestations. Treatment becomes difficult, exacerbations occur more often. In girls, before pregnancy, it is necessary to cure the disease in order to avoid complications from salt deposits and vertebral displacement. There can be problems going to the toilet, then special candles help. A brace, diet, daily exercise, and ERT can also be effective.
The third and fourth stages are dangerous with the appearance of intervertebral hernias, complications and disruptions in the work of internal organs. Diet and massage alone do not help. Sometimes the only way out in the fight against the disease can be surgical treatment. In the future, a person will have to wear a corset and have a long rest.
symptoms
Signs of lumbar osteochondrosis appear at the first stage of the disease with the onset of severe pain in the lumbar region. At first, the exacerbation passes quickly and does not affect the normal functioning of working capacity. During pregnancy, a woman constantly feels discomfort and muscle tension.
As the disease progresses, exacerbation occurs more often, but it can be eliminated with analgesics. The pain symptoms are prolonged and aching. If the nerve fibers are affected, the pain radiates to different parts of the body. It can be a leg, buttocks and different areas of the back. Increased pain occurs when staying in one position for a long time, making sudden movements, or lifting weights. A characteristic sign of osteochondrosis may appear - back pain.
In addition to the pain sensation, the muscular corset suffers. The muscles of the back are constantly in a tense state and hurt when pressed. Over time, the exacerbation does not go away, the patient develops unbearable pain, which worsens even with a slight movement, coughing or sneezing. During pregnancy, weight gain occurs, which worsens a woman's general well-being and provokes constant symptoms of osteochondrosis.
In extreme stages, innervation is disrupted and the spinal cord is affected. The muscular corset does not cope with the protection, the vertebrae are destroyed, intervertebral hernias are formed. There are disturbances in the work of the intestines, stomach and genitourinary system. Men have problems with potency. Constant pain and signs of intoxication worsen well-being. The medical history of a patient with such anomalies often leads the patient to the operating table.
treatment
In order to choose the right treatment for osteochondrosis, diagnostics are carried out. The patient's medical history and complaints are examined in detail. The exacerbation makes it possible to more accurately identify the picture using diagnostic techniques. The patient's medical history is updated with new symptoms. An X-ray is ordered to examine the spine. X-rays cannot be performed during pregnancy like wearing a corset.
There are other diagnostic methods. It can be magnetic resonance or computed tomography. An ultrasound scan is performed to examine the internal organs, especially if the anamnesis indicates various pathologies.
Treatment in each case is selected individually and should be comprehensive. There are certain principles that help cure the disease. These are drugs for pain relief, a diet to normalize the functioning of internal organs. Also, you cannot heat the affected area.
During pregnancy, the first thing you need to worry about is the health of the fetus. With a running course, in addition to the main therapy, it is necessary to wear a corset. With impaired bowel function, special suppositories are used. Also, if there is an aggravation, you cannot heat the muscles of the lower back. The diet is prescribed after consultation with a gynecologist. Charging should be done specifically and at a specific time.
Treatment is mainly aimed at eliminating the symptoms and restoring the physiological functions of the spine.
With pain, it is necessary to take NSAIDs, antispasmodics and analgesics. The necessary remedy is prescribed by the doctor. With the help of Novocain blockade, you can relieve severe pain.
The diet excludes foods that are harmful and difficult for the liver and kidneys. Do not abuse alcohol, cigarettes. To cure the disease, you can combine drugs and alternative methods of therapy at the same time. Charging should enter the rhythm of life. It is impossible to warm the injury area during the exacerbation and at the beginning of treatment. The diet should be prescribed for a long time.
Effective massage, manual therapy, physical therapy and daily exercise will help you get rid of the disease and always stay in shape.