Despite the fact that our spine is designed for an active lifestyle, it needs a moderate load, and excessive excess is harmful and can lead to osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
The causes of osteochondrosis can be different, both internal and external.
The endogenous (internal) reasons include a violation of the intrauterine development of the spine, genetic predisposition and changes related to age in the cartilage.
The main external cause of the disease is considered the inadequate distribution of load in the spine, which leads to the degeneration of the cartilage in places of excess pressure.
In addition, the ailment occurs due to column injuries, congenital defects, infectious diseases, weakened back muscles, sides -s sides, severe regular physical activity associated with the area of activity and simply maintaining a non -comfortable pose.
Osteochondrosis may appear not only in people with an inadequate posture involved in mental work, but also in those who are physically trained, for example, between athletes and engines.
In addition, the disease progresses with a deteriorated metabolism (mainly a calcium and phosphorus deficiency), lack of trace elements and vitamins (magnesium, manganese, zinc, vitamin D), overweight problems, obesity.
So, let's summarize.The most risky factors of osteochondrosis are:
- exposure to chemicals;
- Constant vibrations, for example, between truckers or agricultural machinery conductors;
- flat feet;
- irrational nutrition, excess weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work on the computer and conduct the car constant;
- smoking;
- excessive training in the gym;
- incorrect posture;
- hypothermia;
- Wear uncomfortable shoes (especially in high heels);
- Constant stress, smoking.
For medical observations, diseases are often susceptible to engines, rifles, builders, gym.People who are regularly in a state of stress constantly go with their heads and shoulders that are due, all run the risk of obtaining osteochondrosis.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis
What happens to osteochondrosis?Depending on which area there are damaged intervertebral discs, the pain can occur in: neck, shoulder, arm, back, chest.It happens that a person suspects heart problems, but in fact, a compressed nerve is hurting as a result of osteochondrosis.Simultaneously with pain, a person often feels excessive and numbness of the muscles.If the blood vessels that feed the brain squeeze, a headache, dizziness, noise in the ears, double eyes, nausea and vomiting, fainting, appears.
The symptoms of the disease depend on which column suffers from osteochondrosis, but the main characteristic is pain.
The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis include:
- constant pain or acute low back pain;
- Painful sensations are improved by physical activity or movement;
- The pain can give the sacrum, the legs, the organs of the pelvis;
- The sensitivity of the legs is disturbed;
- Often, a person experiences difficulties, trying to turn, bend and, therefore, is forced to maintain a pose in which discomfort feels less.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical region:
- headaches that intensify during movement and do not pass after analgesics;
- dizziness with a strong turn of the head;
- Pain syndrome in the hands, shoulders and chest;
- "Flies" and colored spots in front of the eyes;
- Vision of vision and hearing, "sound" in the ears;
- Occasionally numbness of the tongue, changes in the voice.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the following symptoms:
- pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades, when raising the hand, inclinations;
- The pain feels stronger at night, with hypothermia, turns, strong physical activity;
- Painful sensations are improved with deep breathing and exhalation;
- numbness of individual skin areas, "chicken skin";
- itching, burning, feeling of cold in the legs;
- an attack of pain between the ribs while walking;
- The sensation as if the chest was tight with a hoop.
Nutrition for osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis, nutritionists recommend adhering to the following rules:
The main thing is to observe fractional nutrition (there are small portions 6 times a day).
Other fundamental principles of the diet are:
- The presence of dairy products in the diet, low -fat varieties (beef, rabbit, poultry), fungi and cereal dishes;
- We will have to limit yourself to the use of grapes, legumes, peas, beans, meat broths;
- It is useful to include jelly, gelatin, fish flooding in the diet.With them you get substances that participate in the synthesis of cartilage fabric;
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of clean water per day;
- Enrich the daily menu with fresh fruits and vegetables, placing special emphasis on cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, springs, cabbage, pepper, broccoli, celery;
- Of known preparation methods, give preference to cooking or prepared for a couple of dishes;
- More often eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, raw spinach;
- Thread salads with olive oil;
- If financial capacities allow it, prepare lobster dishes, oysters, crabs;
- Try to consume salty and smoked products, flour products, sugar, sharp seasoning as little as possible.
Treatment and diagnosis
If the first signals seem characteristic of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to contact a neurologist.The specialist will listen to the complaints, perform an inspection of the spine, will diagnose if there are problems with brain circulation and, possibly, give an appointment with radiography, tomography by the computer or magnetic resonance of the corresponding spine.
It is necessary to prepare for the fact that the treatment will result in a long process that requires a person with great will and free time.
Modern medicine today is available for several methods to combat osteochondrosis.These are drugs, dietary supplements, manual therapy, traction, acupuncture, massage, therapeutic gymnastics, etc.The attending physician will select an individual course based on the physical characteristics of the patient's body.
Together with traditional techniques, an alternative treatment with traditional medicine is possible: a massage can, bee poison, etc.
Prevention
For the prevention of osteochondrosis, experts recommend the following:
- In due course the correction of the curvature of the spine and the posture disorders in the early school age.
- Actively participate in physical education, swimming, yoga, sports walk, fitness, which will allow you to form a muscular corset.
- Adhere to a diet, consuming products with sufficient content of vitamins, calcium and magnesium (fish and other gifts of the sea, cabbage, spinach, beans, nuts, seeds, peas, pea, thick bread and fresh milk).
- Fight for excess weight.
- When transporting weights, make sure a uniform load in both hands, using backpacks instead of bags.Lift the weights only with the use of legs, not the spine.
- Sitting on the computer or table, keep your back straight and relaxed shoulders.
- Choose chairs and chairs that support the spine.
- Every 2 hours or more often take breaks at work, go, crush, create office gymnastics.
- When lifting the weights, keep your back straight, sit down, do not make sharp fools.
- Do not use heavy objects in front of you.
- Do sports in shoes with an absorbent shock sole.
- Sleep in an orthopedic mattress;
- Perform exercises for the abdominal press.