What is osteochondrosis
If you are interested in interesting medical facts, then we offer you a short overview of what osteochondrosis is.
This compound word comes from two Greek words: “Osteo” – bone, and “Chondros” – cartilage. Let’s try to understand what kind of disease it is and why it happens.
In simple terms, osteochondrosis is a disease that is accompanied by damage to the cartilage in the joints. Moreover, this can happen almost anywhere in the human musculoskeletal system.
However, as a rule, the disease manifests itself on the spine. Vertebral osteochondrosis is divided into three types: cervical, thoracic and lumbar.
The process that occurs in the body of a person suffering from osteochondrosis looks something like this. First, the internal structure of the cartilage begins to change, which leads to a loss of its elasticity. Changing its shape and, as it were, decreasing, the cartilage causes the neighboring bone tissue to grow into the “liberated territory”.
All this leads to the fact that the intervertebral distance is significantly reduced and the work of the affected area of the spinal column is completely destabilized.
Against the background of these disorders, the nerve roots begin to be pinched, which leads to a serious pain syndrome and dysfunction of the back muscles.
Causes of osteochondrosis
Wrong way of life. If you work in a sedentary job, often and for a long time are without movement, carry a bag on one shoulder, walk in uncomfortable shoes, then all this can cause osteochondrosis. In addition, hard physical labor and especially heavy lifting (loader work, etc.) can provoke cartilage damage. An interesting fact is that obesity (overweight) and even flat feet often become the cause of this disease.
internal reasons. This may be heredity or changes caused by adolescence, intoxication of the body as a whole, hormonal changes, as well as nervous strain and stress.
external reasons. Osteochondrosis can also be caused by various injuries, metabolic disorders and lack of vitamins (D, C, calcium and phosphorus), improper bedding and bad habits.Symptoms of osteochondrosis
It is important to know that osteochondrosis is an insidious disease. He does not have a permanently well-defined symptomatology. As a rule, it is characterized by periods of exacerbation and “calm”. Each of the three types of vertebral osteochondrosis has its own symptoms.
Cervical osteochondrosis is accompanied by throbbing pain in the head, neck, hands and numbness of the fingers. Sometimes hearing loss is possible.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by slightly different symptoms. If you have acute back pain and it seems that there is a stake in your chest, and the pain radiates to your heart and at times it’s hard to take a deep breath, then you need to urgently see a doctor.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has a classic picture of the disease. Lower back pain especially “shoots” when lifting weights. Sometimes the lower limbs become numb, and disorders of the genitourinary system also occur.
How to treat osteochondrosis
It is best to treat osteochondrosis under the supervision of a doctor. The main thing here is a gradual and competent correction of the situation, especially if the disease has been running for a long time.
In case of severe pain, special medications are prescribed, and it is also recommended to wear various corsets and belts that unload the spine.
Of course, the most important thing in the treatment of this disease is physiotherapy exercises. However, it requires absolute regularity and precise execution of all exercises.
In fact, most of the “normal” back problems are solved with proper exercise and restoration of the musculoskeletal interaction.
We hope that you now know what osteochondrosis is and will be able to share this interesting fact from the field of medicine with your inquisitive friends.
