Despite the fact that our spine is designed for an active lifestyle, it needs a moderate load, and excessive overstrain is harmful and can lead to osteochondrosis.
Causes of the disease
The causes of osteochondrosis can be different, both internal and external.
Endogenous (internal) reasons include a violation of intrauterine development of the spine, genetic predisposition and age -related changes in cartilage.
The main external cause of the disease is considered to be the improper distribution of the load on the spine, which leads to the degeneration of cartilage in the places of excess pressure.
Also, the ailment occurs due to injuries of the spine, congenital defects, infectious diseases, weakened back muscles, stooping and lateral S-shaped scoliosis, regular severe physical activity associated with the area of activity and simply holding a non-comfortable pose.
Osteochondrosis can appear not only in people with improper posture engaged in mental work, but also in those who are well trained physically - for example, among athletes and movers.
In addition, the disease progresses with impaired metabolism (mainly a deficiency of calcium and phosphorus), a 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, among truckers or drivers of agricultural machinery;
- flat feet;
- irrational nutrition, excess weight;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- work at the computer and constant driving of the car;
- smoking;
- excessive training in the gym;
- improper posture;
- hypothermia;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes (especially in high heels);
- Constant stress, smoking.
For medical observations, the diseases are most often susceptible to movers, rifles, builders, gymnasts.People who regularly find themselves in a state of stress constantly go with their heads and shoulders owed - they all risk getting osteochondrosis.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis
What happens with osteochondrosis?Depending on which area there are damaged intervertebral discs, pain can occur in: neck, shoulder, arm, back, chest.It happens that a person suspects of heart problems, but in fact, it is aching a nerve compressed as a result of osteochondrosis.Simultaneously with pain, a person often feels overstrain and numbness of the muscles.If the blood vessels that feed the brain are squeezed, a headache, dizziness, noise in the ears, double eyes, nausea and vomiting, fainting appear.
The symptoms of the disease depend on which spine suffers from osteochondrosis, but the main feature is pain.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis include:
- constant aching or acute lower back pain;
- painful sensations are enhanced by physical activity or movement;
- The pain can give to the sacrum, legs, organs of the pelvis;
- the sensitivity of the legs is disturbed;
- Often a person experiences difficulties, trying to turn, bend down, and therefore is forced to maintain a pose in which discomfort is least felt.
Signs of osteochondrosis of the cervical region:
- headaches that intensify during movement and do not pass after analgesics;
- dizziness with a sharp 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, "ringing" in the ears;
- Occasionally numbness of the tongue, change in voice.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the following symptoms:
- pain in the chest and between the shoulder blades, when raising the hand, inclinations;
- The pain is felt stronger at night, with hypothermia, turns, strong physical activity;
- painful sensations are enhanced with deep breath and exhale;
- numbness of individual areas of the skin, "goosebumps";
- itching, burning, sensation of cold in the legs;
- an attack of pain between ribs while walking;
- The feeling as if the chest was squeezed 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 diet are:
- the presence of dairy products in the diet, low -fat varieties of meat (beef, rabbit, poultry), mushroom 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, jelly, flooding fish in the diet.With them you get substances taking part 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, making a special emphasis on cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, springs, cabbage, pepper, broccoli, celery;
- Of the known preparation methods, give preference to cooked or prepared for a couple of dishes;
- More often eat sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, raw spinach;
- Twine salads with olive oil;
- If financial capabilities allow, then prepare dishes of lobsters, oysters, crabs;
- Try to consume salty, smoked products, flour products, sugar, sharp seasonings as little as possible.
Treatment and diagnostics
If the first signals appear characteristic of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to contact a neurologist.The specialist will listen to complaints, conduct an inspection of the spinal column, diagnose if there are problems with brain circulation, and, possibly, will give an appointment with radiography, computer or magnetic resonance tomography of the corresponding spine.
It is necessary to prepare yourself for the fact that treatment will result in a long process that requires a person with great willpower and free time.
Modern medicine today is available for various methods of combating 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, alternative treatment with traditional medicine is possible - a can massage, bee venom, etc.
Prevention
For the prevention of osteochondrosis, experts recommend the following:
- Timely carry out correction of curvature of the spine and posture disorders in early school age.
- Actively engage in physical education, swimming, yoga, sports walking, fitness, which will allow you to form a muscle corset.
- Adhere to a diet, consuming products with a sufficient content of vitamins, calcium and magnesium (fish and other gifts of the sea, cabbage, spinach, beans, nuts, seeds, peas, coarse bread and fresh milk).
- Fight over excess weight.
- When carrying weights, ensure uniform load on both hands, wearing backpacks instead of bags.Lift weights only with the use of legs, not the spine.
- Sitting at the computer or table, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
- Choose chairs and chairs that support the spine.
- Every 2 hours or more often take breaks in work, go, crush, set up office gymnastics.
- When lifting the weights, keep your back straight, sit down, do not make sharp jerks.
- Do not wear heavy objects in front of you.
- Make sports in shoes with a shock -absorbing sole.
- Sleep on an orthopedic mattress;
- Perform exercises for the abdominal press.