Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spinal column and adjacent tissues are called osteochondrosis. More than 70% of the world's population faced pain in the back, accompanied by a deterioration in mobility, and many of them did not even suspect that all these troubles are signs of osteochondrosis, the most common disease of the spine. It is very important to recognize the problem at its initial stage, since 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-cartilaginous tissue of 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.
- As a result of changes and destruction of the vertebrae, excessive pressure on the vessels occurs, the main arteries, as a result, deteriorate blood supply, hypoxia develops - this syndrome is called vascular.
- The deformity of the vertebrae, which occurs during the disease, entails abnormal changes in the spinal column (lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis), a banal change in posture is a static syndrome.
- Infringement of nerve endings, blood vessels and arteries leads to a deterioration of metabolic processes in 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 are called trophic syndrome.
- Infringement 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 spinal column - 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, which, as usual, few people pay attention to, are frequent occipital headaches, gradually moving to the temporal region. Also, the initial stage of the disease is accompanied by discomfort, pulling short-term pain in the cervical spine, a crunch when turning the head.
Further, without proper treatment, the disease progresses, the pain intensifies, the 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. Also, the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis, which arise as a result of impaired blood supply, are:
- deterioration of the functions of the vestibular apparatus, dizziness, noise, ringing, whistling in the ears; impaired visual function (blurred vision, flies in front of the eyes);
- in elderly people, 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 occur, and there is a high probability of impaired coordination of movements.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic vertebrae is a rather rare disease, since in this place the spinal column is less mobile and is supported by a strong rib frame. However, this ailment 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 abdomen. Symptoms of chest 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 region of the heart, 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 a cough, the so-called "lump in the throat", gastritis, increased pressure, arrhythmia, and impaired intestinal motility may appear. Therefore, before making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must conduct a thorough examination in order to exclude other ailments.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The initial manifestations of osteochondrosis are pulling pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the lower extremities. While at rest, a person practically does not notice discomfort, however, should he engage in physical labor, make a sudden movement or stay in one position for a long period, the pain sensations intensify, accompanied by lumbago and numbness of the lower extremities.
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 of the legs, which can 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 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 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, therefore it is very important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and begin treatment.
Knowing the initial signs of spinal osteochondrosis, you have every chance to overcome it completely, without the use of medications and surgical intervention, 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.