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 a deterioration in mobility, and many of them did not even suspect that all these problems were 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 losing mobility completely.
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 of the spine, but also the vessels, arteries, nerve endings, so 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, the blood supply deteriorates, hypoxia develops - this syndrome is called vascular.
- The deformity of the vertebrae, which occurs during the disease, involves abnormal changes in the spine (lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis), a trivial change in posture is a static syndrome.
- Violation of nerve endings, blood vessels and arteries leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes in the tissues, the supply of nutrients to them, as a result of which symptoms (in the form of ulcerative manifestations on the skin) of osteochondrosis occur, which they are 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, moreover, 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 population of working age, and the first signs, which, as usual, few people pay attention to, are frequent occipital headaches, gradually moving to the temporal region. In addition, the initial stage of the disease is accompanied by discomfort, short-term pain in the cervical spine, crunching when turning the head.
Also, without proper treatment, the disease progresses, pain intensifies, sensitivity decreases (this is due to a deterioration in blood supply) of the upper shoulder girdle.
The apogee of the disease is a complete loss of motor activity of the upper limbs. In addition, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, which arise due to an impaired blood supply, are:
- 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);
- periodic loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and lack of oxygen are possible in the elderly.
In addition to this, a person can be tormented by snoring, numbness, a cold sensation in the fingers often occurs, the likelihood 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, since in this place the spine is less mobile and is supported by a sturdy rib structure. However, this ailment occurs, 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, which descends into the upper abdomen. Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis are often confused with manifestations of other ailments: 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, 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, increased blood pressure, arrhythmia and impaired intestinal motility may appear. Therefore, before making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must conduct a thorough examination to rule out other ailments.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The initial manifestations of osteochondrosis are pulling pain in the lumbar region, which radiates to the lower extremities. While at rest, a person practically does not notice discomfort, however, if he were to engage in physical work, make a sudden movement or stay in one position for a long time, the pain sensations intensify, accompanied by low back pain and numbness of the lower limbs.
As the disease progresses, the pain syndrome can be given to the groin area, while the sacrum, while assuming a horizontal position, the person feels significant relief. Lumbar spine osteochondrosis also has the following symptoms:
- decreased sensitivity, tingling, peeling of the skin;
- numbness in the legs, which can later turn into partial or complete paralysis;
- a cold sensation in the legs, this is due to a violation of blood supply due to compression of the arteries, blood vessels;
- sweating function can be impaired;
- in addition, 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 in 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 treatment, which cannot be said about the later stages, so it is very important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner 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 thus you can avoid many problems.