Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine and adjacent tissues are called osteochondrosis. Over 70% of the world's population suffered from back pain accompanied by impaired mobility, and many did not even suspect that all of these disorders were signs of osteochondrosis, the most common disease. current of the spine. It is very important to recognize the problem at its initial stage, as the later stages of the disease are difficult to treat and by starting the disease you may lose your mobility completely.
Today we are going to talk about how osteochondrosis manifests itself and the symptoms that accompany this disease.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
The process of destruction of osteochondrosis affects not only the bone-cartilage tissue of the spine, but also vessels, arteries, nerve endings. Therefore, the symptoms, or rather the syndromes of osteochondrosis, are combined depending on the general clinical manifestations of the disease. .
- Due to the change and destruction of the vertebrae, excessive pressure on the vessels occurs, the main arteries, as a result, deteriorate the blood supply, hypoxia develops - this syndrome is called vascular.
- Deformation of the vertebrae, which occurs during the course of the disease, leads to abnormal changes in the spine (lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis), a banal change in posture is a static syndrome.
- Violation of nerve endings, blood vessels and arteries leads to deterioration of metabolic processes in tissues, their supply of nutrients, which leads to symptoms (in the form of ulcerative manifestations on the skin) of osteochondrosis, called trophic syndrome.
- Violation of nerve endings is accompanied by numbness of the skin, deterioration of muscle reaction, 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 captures two sections at once. 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 vertebrae
Today, cervical osteochondrosis is quite often diagnosed in the working-age population, and the first signs, to which, as usual, few people pay attention, are frequent occipital headaches, gradually moving to the temporal region. In addition, the initial stage of the disease is accompanied by discomfort, leading to short-term pain in the cervical spine, a cracking sound when rotating the head.
In addition, without proper treatment, the disease progresses, the pain intensifies, the sensitivity (this is due to a deterioration in the blood supply) of the upper shoulder girdle decreases.
The climax of the disease is a complete loss of motor activity in the upper extremities. Also, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, which occur as a result of insufficient blood supply, are as follows:
- deterioration of the functions of the vestibular apparatus, dizziness, noise, ringing, ringing 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 to this, a person may be tormented by snoring, numbness, a feeling of coldness in the fingers often occurs, the probability of a violation of coordination of movements is high.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae is a rather rare disease, because in this place, the spine is less mobile and is supported by a strong rib reinforcement. However, this condition takes place and the signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are very diverse.
The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by pain in the chest, descending to the upper part of the abdomen. Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis are often confused with manifestations of other conditions - cholecystitis, angina pectoris, even renal colic. Quite often, a patient presents to a cardiologist with complaints of pain in the region of the heart, and after a thorough examination he is referred to a neurologist on suspicion of osteochondrosis.
Depending on the location of the lesion (upper, middle, lower part of the thoracic segment), symptoms such as a cough, called a "lump in the throat", gastritis, increased pressure, arrhythmia and altered blood pressure. intestinal motility may appear. Therefore, before making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor should conduct a thorough examination in order to rule out other conditions.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The first manifestations of osteochondrosis are pulling pains in the lumbar region, radiating to the lower limbs. At rest, a person hardly notices discomfort, however, if he engages in physical labor, makes a sudden movement or remains in one position for a long time, the pain sensations intensify, accompanied by lumbagoand numbness in the lower limbs.
As the disease progresses, the pain syndrome can be transmitted to the groin area, while the sacrum, taking a horizontal position, the person feels significant relief. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine also has the following symptoms:
- decreased sensitivity, tingling, peeling of the skin;
- numbness in the legs, which may later progress to partial or complete paralysis;
- a feeling of coldness in the legs, this is due to a violation of the blood supply due to the compression of the arteries, blood vessels;
- sweat function may be impaired;
- also, due to a violation of the blood supply to the lower spine, malfunctions of the genitourinary system are possible.
Osteochondrosis of any type is accompanied by deterioration of the motor activity of the vertebrae, blood circulation, compression of nerve endings and spasms of muscle fibers. The initial degree of the disease responds well to treatment, which cannot be said about the later stages, so it is very important to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment.
Knowing the first signs of spinal osteochondrosis, you have every chance to overcome it completely, without the use of drugs and surgery. At this stage, full recovery occurs after the use of physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercises. Be vigilant, listen to your body and you can avoid a lot of problems.