Translated from Greek, the word "chondrosis" can be translated as "cartilage".However, as a rule, the word "osteochondrosis" does not mean damage to cartilage tissue (which would be logical), but only diseases of the cartilage spine.
In patients with osteochondrosis, the structure (and, therefore, the function) of the intervertebral discs - special cartilage structures, ensuring the mobility and flexibility of the human spine.
As the disease progresses, irreversible changes in the vertebrae themselves also occur and develop.
The causes of osteochondrosis
All the reasons why a person has such a disease as osteochondrosis, specialists are divided into endogenous (or internal) and exogenous (or external).
Endogenous (internal) causes are considered to be disorders of the spine that occurred in a person in the womb, as well as age -related changes in cartilage and hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis.
The main exogenous (external) reason experts examine the incorrect distribution of the load that reaches the spine.This is such a distribution that causes changes that occur with cartilage in those places where the biggest excess pressure is.
In addition, the causes of the development of osteochondrosis are spinal cord trauma and various infections, bending and improper posture, weakness of the posterior muscles and lateral (S-shaped) spine curvature.In addition, the negative effects of the spine may have weights or prolonged stay in an unnatural or unnatural position.
Contrary to popular belief, not only people from mental labor and those who do not follow their posture can suffer (and suffer) from osteochondrosis.This disease torments even those who are well prepared physically.For example, wallets, drivers and professional athletes.
In addition to the causes of purely mechanical property, problems with metabolism (in their bigger part, calcium and phosphorus), as well as with trace elements and vitamins (more special magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin D) can lead to the onset and development of osteochondrosis.Many doctors are sure that the predisposition to osteochondrosis, inherited, also plays a significant role in the onset of the disease.
What happens to osteochondrosis?
When a person throws Heavies, jumps or falls, often sitting in an uncomfortable position, etc., the intervertebral discs receive a micro -trauma.If such injuries occur more or less often, over time, the discs lose their elasticity and equalize, and at the same time the distance between the vertebrae decreases.As a result, there is a drainage of nerve roots extending from the spinal cord.This is what causes back pain.At the same time, at the very place where the nervous beam is pressed, the edema is formed-as a result, the load of the same package increases and the pain increases.
As the destruction of the intervertebral disc has already begun, it ceases to play the role of the shock absorber, receiving more and more injuries.Over time, a person's spine loses his natural flexibility.
How is osteochondrosis manifesting?
The main manifestation of osteochondrosis is back pain.Of which are damaged intervertebral discs, the patient experiences different pain.He can hurt not only his back but also his neck, or maybe a hand or a heart.Sometimes osteochondrosis is distributed even to the chest.One can easily decide that something is happening with his heart, but in fact it was one of the nerves.In addition to pain, one often feels tingling muscle and exaggeration.Headache, nausea, vomiting, ears in the ears, dizziness and double the eyes, as well as cases of fainting, may indicate that blood vessels are pressed, which carry blood to the brain.
Diagnosis for osteochondrosis
If one of the symptoms described above is manifested in you, it is an occasion to seek consultation with a traumatologist or neurologist.One of these experts will examine the spinal column and examine cerebral circulation.If the doctor considers it necessary, he or she may send you to an X -ray or prescribe a computer or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine that bothers you.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
Get ready to allocate a lot of time for osteochondrosis treatment.In addition, you will need your will.There are quite a number of ways to combat osteochondrosis.These are methods of drugs and adhesion, and massage, and therapeutic gymnastics and iconexotherapy.In addition, manual therapists have their own methods - in some cases they show high efficiency.Wealthy medicine is also rich in ideas, offering to treat osteochondrosis with bee venom, it can massage many other miraculous methods.If osteochondrosis has a complication in the form of hernia on the intervertebral discs, alas, you cannot do without surgery - you need surgery.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
This is usually recommended by profile doctors to prevent radiculitis and osteochondrosis:
- Over time, adjust the curvature of the spine as well as the posture disorders.It is especially worth paying attention to this position of the parents of students.
- Play sports and physical education regularly.Thanks to the sports loads, SO -Called Muscle Corset is formed.Muscles - they will make it much more effective for your posture than a variety of standing to wood and sitting with a straight back.In addition, your own muscles will protect your spine even when you forget about it.
- Try to eat properly, stick to a diet.Follow your presence in your diet from products high in vitamins, calcium and magnesium (they are plentiful in fish and other seafood, spinach, cabbage, nuts and seeds, beans and peas, fresh milk and bread made from rough, buildings).
- Do not allow excess weight.Suspended pounds are an unnecessary load on your spine.
- By absorbing weight, distribute the loads of both hands as evenly as possible.If possible, use backpacks, not bags.If you have to lift something very difficult on your feet rather than your spine, see how the numbers do.