Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine and adjacent tissues are called osteochondrosis. More than 70% of the world's population faced back pain, accompanied by a deterioration in mobility, and many of them did not even suspect that all these problems are signs of osteochondrosis, the most common disease of the spine. It is very important to recognize the problem in its initial stage, as the later stages of the disease are difficult to treat, and by starting the disease you risk completely losing mobility.
Today we will talk about how osteochondrosis manifests itself and what symptoms accompany this disease.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
The process of destruction in osteochondrosis affects not only the bone cartilage tissue in the spine but also the vessels, arteries, nerve endings, therefore the symptoms or rather the syndromes of osteochondrosis are combined according to the general clinical manifestations of the disease.
- Due to the change and destruction of the vertebrae, excessive pressure occurs on the vessels, the main arteries, as a result of which the blood supply deteriorates, hypoxia develops - this syndrome is called vascular.
- The deformity of the vertebrae that occurs during the disease causes 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 a deterioration of metabolic processes in tissues, supply of nutrients to them, as a result of which symptoms (in the form of ulcerative manifestations of the skin) of osteochondrosis occur, called trophic syndrome.
- Violation of nerve endings is accompanied by numbness in the skin, deterioration of muscle reaction, such symptoms of the disease are called neurological syndrome.
The disease can affect any segment of the spine - the cervix, thorax, lower back, moreover, it often catches two sections at once. Signs of osteochondrosis depend directly on the location of its location 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 that few people are usually aware of are frequent occipital headaches that gradually move to the temporal region. Also, the initial stage of the disease is accompanied by discomfort, short-term pain in the cervical spine, a crunch when the head is turned.
Further, without proper treatment, the disease progresses, the pain intensifies, the sensitivity decreases (this is due to a deterioration of the blood supply) of the upper shoulder belt.
The apogee of the disease is a complete loss of motor activity of the upper limbs. Also, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis that occur as a result of decreased blood supply are:
- deterioration of the functions of the vestibular apparatus, dizziness, noise, ringing, whistling in the ears; impaired vision (blurred vision, flies in front of the eyes);
- in older people, periodic loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and lack of oxygen are possible.
In addition to this, a person may be bothered 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, as the spine at this site is less mobile and is supported by a strong rib frame. However, this disorder occurs and the signs of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region are very different.
The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by pain in the chest, decreasing to the upper abdomen. Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis are often confused with manifestations of other disorders - cholecystitis, angina pectoris, even renal colic. Quite often, a patient comes to a cardiologist with complaints of pain in the heart region, and after a thorough examination, he is referred to a neurologist with suspicion of osteochondrosis.
Depending on the location of the lesion (upper, middle, lower part of the thoracic segment), symptoms such as cough, the so-called "lump in the throat", gastritis, high pressure, arrhythmia and decreased intestinal motility may occur. Therefore, before making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor should perform a thorough examination to rule out other disorders.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The first manifestations of osteochondrosis pull pain in the lower back that radiates to the lower extremities. While a person is at rest, a person practically does not notice discomfort, but if he engages in physical work, makes a sudden movement, or remains in a position for an extended period of time, the pain sensations, accompanied by lumbago and numbness in the lower extremities, intensify.
As the disease progresses, the pain syndrome can be given to the groin area, while the sacrum, while 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 subsequently develop into partial or complete paralysis;
- a feeling of coldness in the legs, this is due to a violation of the blood supply due to compression of the arteries, blood vessels;
- sweating 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 a deterioration of the motor activity of the vertebrae, blood flow, compression of nerve endings and spasms of muscle fibers. The initial degree of the disease responds well to the treatment, which can not be said about the later stages, therefore it is very important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and begin treatment.
Once you know the first signs of spinal osteochondrosis, you have every chance of overcoming it completely without the use of medication and surgery, at this stage full recovery occurs after the use of physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercises. Be vigilant, listen to your body and then you will be able to avoid many problems.