The "pearl necklace" of the spine requires careful attention, and if there is no proper prevention of diseases of the spine, symptoms of osteochondrosis occur. The treatment in this case is long, it is impossible to completely restore the integrity of the spine and cartilage discs.
In general, osteochondrosis is considered to be a change in bone tissue, ligaments, cartilage, and intervertebral discs of the spine. This process is long, the changes do not appear "suddenly", but are felt at the first signs and characteristic symptoms. Most often it is pain caused by damage to nerve fibers, soft tissues or blood vessels. the treatment of each section is different.
Clinical picture
Straight walking is a feature of homo sapiens, however, the vertical position is the main cause of osteochondrosis. None of the 4-foot fauna is aware of the symptoms of osteochondrosis. When straightened, the intervertebral cartilages undergo a colossal load and change and deform over time, the spine completely ceases to perform its functions.
There are four groups of typical changes:
Neurological syndrome
Symptoms of nerve damage may cause skin sensitivity or loss of muscle strength. With osteochondrosis of the spine, the first sign of a neurological disorder is the appearance of pain as a result of compression or irritation of the roots of the spine. The first signs are located in a limited area of the back where the pathological changes began. With progression, the pain gradually "spreads" to all parts of the body located in the innervation zone of the compressed nerve root. In particular, the arms or legs may be sore, this condition usually gives a misconception about the diagnosis and treatment is not done properly.
In neurological syndrome, symptoms of impaired motor function are less common than in susceptible individuals. When this occurs, symptoms of partial or complete loss of arm or leg mobility are observed, such as osteochondrosis of the lower or right lower extremity with sacral lumbar osteochondrosis.
Static syndrome
The first symptom occurs when changes in the vertebrae begin. This results in incorrect posture: lordosis, kyphosis or scoliosis. In severe cases, the mobility of the joint surfaces of the spinal column is limited, signs of which are expressed in the impossibility of completely straightening or turning the head.
Vascular syndrome
Spinal cord problems occur for the following reasons:
- Low tone of sympathetic NS (signs of chronic internal ischemia).
- By local compression of blood vessels altered by vertebrae or their processes. Signs of osteochondrosis in this case are expressed as a violation of the blood supply to the brain when the large vessels are compressed. Symptoms of oxygen deficiency include dizziness, poor blood supply to the inner ear, or nausea. Symptomatic treatment usually does not give serious results.
Trophic syndrome
Such symptoms of osteochondrosis are characterized by the appearance of ulcers on the skin as a consequence of tissue malnutrition. Skin lesions appear along with neurological and vascular factors. The exact signs depend on which part of the back is affected.
Typical manifestations of pathology
Each part of the spine has its own typical signs of osteochondrosis, according to which a spinal neurologist diagnoses the disease in men and women. Based on these symptoms, you can understand which parts of the back are affected and what treatment is needed first.
There are several types of osteochondrosis: chest, cervical, lumbar, sacral, and mixed, where the localization of the signs is not in a single class but diffuse in nature. The first signs of osteochondrosis in women and men are minor dull pain, discomfort, cracking, often chest osteochondrosis, pain in the heart area. Ideally, treatment should be started at this stage to avoid any back problems in the future.
In addition, the signs of osteochondrosis become clear, with painful sensations in the arms or legs. Spinal pain increases under any load and it gradually becomes difficult to perform the movements associated with bending forward. The more osteochondrosis manifests, the more limited the mobility of the back, the thinner the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, and their mobility decreases. The muscles begin to work in "emergency mode", constantly tensing, supporting the vertebrae to prevent them from approaching each other, and completely destroying the intervertebral discs.
Tensed muscles cause even more discomfort to the person, tension increases, and the symptoms of osteochondrosis intensify.
Pathology of the cervix
Signs of cervical osteochondrosis are often "hidden" under the guise of other diseases. The first sign of cervical pathology is a headache that cannot be relieved with conventional painkillers. It starts from the back of the head, going to the temple. Uncomfortable feelings intensify after prolonged stay in one position, and numbness of the arm, shoulder, and shoulder often appears. Strong pinching of the nerve fibers can lead to paresis or paralysis of the hand.
When the blood vessels are damaged, signs of a cerebrovascular accident appear:
- Tinnitus, dizziness - poor blood flow in the cochlea and semicircular tubules.
- Impaired vision, be in front of the eyes - indicate poor nutrition on the optical device.
- Severe oxygen depletion of the brain - can be caused by sudden loss of consciousness, especially if the osteochondrosis of the neck is accompanied by atherosclerosis of the blood vessels.
Hiccups, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, and panic attacks "talk about damage to the phrenicus. " The phrenicus is part of the cervical plexus and is directly related to regulating the frequency and depth of breathing.
Breast pathology
Signs of chest osteochondrosis are quite varied, although this part of the spine is less commonly affected in both women and men. The painful sensations have a clear localization: between the upper abdomen, the area of the shoulder blades, and the ribs. But often osteochondrosis "hides" behind signs of intestinal or kidney colic, angina pectoris, or gallbladder inflammation.
Symptoms of injury to one or the other segment of the chest:
- Upper chest segment. Lots of feeling in the throat, violation of swallowing, cough.
- Middle chest segment. Symptoms that mimic gastritis and ulcers (gastralgia) and symptoms associated with arrhythmia and high blood pressure (cardialgia).
- Lower chest segment. Intestinal motility disorders and signs similar to appendicitis appear.
Lumbar pathology
Signs of damage to this stage are extensive, but most often the first signs are pain in the lower back and legs, loss of sensitivity, and numbness in the skin of the lower extremities.
Changes in the lumbosacral region, typical symptoms:
- Pain and lumbago can be observed after physical exertion.
- When the motor nerve fibers are pinched, paresis and paralysis of the legs develops.
- Pinching of nerves and blood vessels in men and women leads to disturbance of the pelvic organs.
It should always be remembered that osteochondrosis of the spine is a hidden and insidious disease. The respiratory, urinary, or gastrointestinal tract can be treated for years, but therapy does not produce positive results. Therefore, in case of signs of the disease, it is advisable to consult a neurologist first and not a cardiologist, therapist or gastroenterologist.