ICD-10 code - Osteochondrosis of the spine (M42)
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the spine. This disease of the lumbosacral spine is one of the most common in modern medicine. In both women and men, the disease can lead to temporary incapacity, as well as disability.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine has a chronic course, with a period of exacerbation.
Sources of disease
Medicine does not name unequivocal reasons that can cause such a disease in women and men. Thus, we can conclude that the disease is multifactorial. The most popular theory of the development of the disease is a systematic process of tension of the muscular system, non-physiological muscle tension, as a result of which the vertebral segments are overloaded, their blood circulation worsens. As a result, the degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which leads to the appearance of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
The following causes of the development of the disease in women and men are no less common:
- Causes that lie in endocrine and metabolic disorders.
- Causes, consisting of a hereditary predisposition to the disease.
- Causes that arise from microtraumas, as well as autoimmune diseases.
- Causes associated with pathological processes of internal organs.
People who are most prone to the development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are people who have suffered a back injury or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Disease symptoms
The medicine will highlight the following symptoms, manifesting themselves in different degrees of the disease in women as in men:
- 1 degree.You can note the manifestation of pain, which causes irritation of the nerve endings. There are local, sharp or dull symptoms of pain in the lumbar spine. Quite often pain is shown in other place and is called reflex. The following symptoms may also be noted: impaired circulation of limbs and ligaments, as well as internal organs. As a result of impaired blood circulation, pain symptoms appear in the area of attachment of the ligaments to the bone. Seals in this area are also noted. There are pain symptoms in the lumbosacral segment, which radiate to the lower extremities. The functioning of the urinary system may be disturbed.
- 2 degree.You can note the symptoms of discomfort in the lumbar spine, constant muscle fatigue.
- 3 degrees.There are symptoms associated with radicular syndrome. Such symptoms caused by radicular syndrome consist in a violation of the sensitivity of the affected area. Symptoms associated with radicular syndrome do not appear immediately. On its appearance, the symptoms result in hypersensitivity, burning, tingling. Subsequently, there is a feeling of numbness, until a complete loss of sensitivity. Symptoms associated with radicular syndrome cause motor system dysfunction, including paralysis and atrophy. In addition, the symptoms associated with radicular syndrome are the manifestation of localized pain along the legs. In addition to the signs of radicular syndrome, there is a violation of the sensitivity and motor functioning of the lower extremities.
- 4 degrees.Symptoms of pain with radicular syndrome are less pronounced. At the same time, the range of motion of the spine is limited.
Basic treatment
The doctor makes a diagnosis based on the diagnosis. MRI, ECG, ultrasound and other studies will help establish the correct diagnosis. You must also undergo an X-ray examination.
How to treat lumbar osteochondrosis in women and men? Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine involves a complex treatment that lasts a long time. As a rule, such treatment works at an advanced stage of the disease, when there are multiple protrusions or intervertebral hernias.
Treatment should be selected and carried out strictly individually in each case.
Treatment of muscle spasms should be carried out with the help of drugs - muscle relaxants.
Medicine determines that treatment with muscle relaxants, together with the use of NSAIDs, physiotherapy sessions and massage, contributes to faster recovery.
The blockade as a remedy
Blocking osteochondrosis consists of injections of drugs that are injected into the affected area. Treatment with such a method as blocking will help relieve pain instantly. The blockade consists of local anesthetic drugs.
Treatment such as novocaine blockade is the most popular in modern medicine. To relieve pain, blocking is performed once every three days. It can also be noted that blocking osteochondrosis is the safest method of treatment.
Blockade, as a rule, does not cause side effects, since the effect of the drug is local. It is possible to carry out treatment with such a method as a blockade indefinitely, with each exacerbation of the disease.
In addition, to relieve pain, the blockade is used to eliminate inflammation, swelling and improve metabolism. To prolong the therapeutic effect, such a method as a blockade should include several drugs at the same time (novocaine and corticosteroids). Blocking should be done by an experienced doctor.
Good nutrition is the key to health
In the case of osteochondrosis, as in any other disease, nutrition should be balanced, low-calorie, rich in various vitamins and minerals.
The diet of both women and men should be rich in collagen, which acts as chondroprotectors.
Jellied fish and aspic are saturated with this component. If you include jellied meat in your diet, you can significantly improve the condition of connective tissue. Also, nutrition should include a sufficient amount of fluid to maintain the condition of the tissues of the intervertebral discs.
There is a different diet for people with osteochondrosis. The attending physician will determine which is suitable for each specific case.
The hoop as a means of prevention
Such a tool as a hoop has been known since the days of our parents. The hoop serves both to improve well-being and to maintain the figure. You can spin the hoop at home and in the gym. The most important advantage is the availability of gymnastics and simplicity.
But treatment with such a method as a hoop has its drawbacks. Before twisting the hoop, you need to consult a doctor. If there is a hernia of the lumbar region, it is forbidden to twist the hoop. If a diagnosis of the thoracic spine is established, preventive exercises can be performed.
If you twist the hoop to a healthy person due to osteochondrosis, you can improve the functioning of the back muscles. In addition, the hoop contributes to the active functioning of the vertebral section, which is an excellent prophylactic.
Summing up, it should be noted that if you twist the hoop with lumbar osteochondrosis, the entire load falls on the affected area. The hoop can relieve pain, but after a while it will come back stronger.
Hirudotherapy as a method of treating osteochondrosis
It is possible and possible to cure the disease with hirudotherapy! Leeches have a healing effect on the human body. Due to the action of the leech, painful manifestations decrease, the therapeutic effect of consumed drugs and physical education is enhanced, and the patient's recovery process is accelerated.
Treatment with the application of a leech is the beneficial effect of the enzyme produced by it. Such an enzyme is secreted with the help of leech saliva.
During treatment, the doctor applies a leech to the affected area. The leech bites through the upper layer of the skin, releasing its saliva there, which can cure thrombosis, prevent blood clotting and accelerate the biochemical process. In addition, the action of a leech is aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels, as well as their expansion.
Medical leeches are completely sterile. To cure a disease with a leech, you need to follow the sequence of actions - the duration of the first two treatment sessions with a leech lasts no more than thirty minutes. The third session involves the presence of a leech on the body for an hour. The wound after the leech is not treated with anything, and after the removal of the leech, the patient is forbidden to lie on his back. This is necessary to prevent bleeding.
It is possible to cure osteochondrosis in women and men with ten procedures, between which you need to take a five-day break.
And the most important rule: a timely visit to a doctor will help to avoid negative consequences.