Currently, a huge number of people suffer from osteochondrosis. Many of them do not even know about the existing problem. In the meantime, if you don’t start treatment on time, complications will occur that will be felt for the rest of your life. Osteochondrosis, like many other diseases, "becomes younger" and significantly worsens the quality of life, throwing it out of the usual rhythm.
In our article we will learn a little about the disease itself, as well as dwell in detail on the method of drug treatment.
Osteochondrosis and its types
Osteochondrosis is a deformation of the articular cartilage, bone tissue of the spine and intervertebral discs.
Osteochondrosis occurs:
- lumbar (lumbosacral),
- cervical,
- chest.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- upright walking,
- curvature of the spine,
- spinal cord injury,
- flat feet,
- frequent lifting of heavy loads,
- frequent changes in hull position,
- prolonged stay in awkward positions,
- spine overload,
- physical inactivity and obesity,
- malnutrition,
- stressful conditions.
Stages of osteochondrosis development
- Vertebral instability occurs due to certain changes in the intervertebral disc. The spine is very prone to injury.
- The destruction of the annular fibrosus of the intervertebral disc begins. The intervertebral gap narrows.
- Puca annular fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc protrudes. Due to the formation of an intervertebral hernia, a deformity of the spine is caused.
- Severe pain syndrome occurs. Due to the formation of bone growths and ossification of the ligaments of the spine, the movements become limited.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Lumbar (lumbosacral) region
- Constant back pain.
- Feeling of pain and numbness in the limbs.
- Decreased physical activity.
- Increased pain during sudden movements, lifting weights, exercising, sneezing and coughing.
Cervical Region
- Pain in arms and shoulders, headaches.
- Spinal artery syndrome (burning pulsating headache, dizziness, noise in the head, colored spots and "flies" in front of the eyes).
Thoracic Region
- Pain in internal organs, especially in the chest ("stake" in the chest) and the heart area.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by a neurologist based on the patient's complaints (pain syndrome, limited mobility, etc. ). He examines the spine in the position of the patient standing, sitting and lying down (at rest and in motion). When examining the back, attention is paid to posture, structural characteristics of the torso, lower angles of the shoulders, lateral contours of the neck and waist, position of the shoulder girdle, etc. After that, the doctor usually directs the patient to radiography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, with the help of which the diagnosis is clarified and concretized, the degree of the lesion is determined and hidden deviations from the norm are revealed. Based on the obtained data, the neurologist prescribes the appropriate treatment. As a rule, it is a complex therapy, which includes the use of drugs, massage, exercise therapy and other methods.
Therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis with drugs
To begin with, it should be noted that in the initial stage of osteochondrosis development, in certain cases, you can do without medication. It will be enough to use medical gymnastics, all kinds of applicators, as well as reduce the load and eliminate other causes of the disease. If symptoms worsen and studies have shown characteristic changes, medications should be used to help affect both the cause and symptoms of osteochondrosis.
Drug treatment of osteochondrosis is indicated in the period of exacerbation and is aimed at alleviating the inflammatory process, relieving pain and enhancing metabolic processes due to internal intake or administration of drugs by injection.
Due to the fact that osteochondrosis is a systemic disease that negatively affects various organs and systems, its treatment should be comprehensive. Osteochondrosis drugs perform the following tasks:
- pain relief,
- removing inflammation,
- Improving blood circulation in the affected tissues,
- cartilage repair,
- restoring joint mobility,
- removal of depression caused by constant pain.
So, what medications can a neurologist prescribe to treat osteochondrosis?
- NSAIL (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Eliminate inflammation and pain. They are applied externally (gel, cream), internally (capsules, tablets), as well as in the form of injections (intramuscularly, intravenously, subcutaneously).
- Vasodilators (vasodilators).
As a result of muscle tension and pain in osteochondrosis, blood vessels constrict. To avoid side effects in the background of this, the doctor may prescribe vasodilators for better restorative effect.
- Muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants).
Muscle relaxants have a relaxing and calming effect on the muscles. The healing process without drugs of this group is slower, because due to their properties, blood circulation is normalized, pain sensations are dulled, mobility is restored and the affected tissues recover faster.
- Chondroprotectors.
Chondroprotectors do not give further destruction, they stabilize the condition. Taking chondroprotectors is long-term, lifelong, the effect occurs after treatment for at least 6 months. Chondroprotectors are used externally, internally and in the form of injections.
- glucosamine
- chondroitin
- glucosamine + chondroitin
- glucosamine + chondroitin + vitamins
- Sedatives (sedatives).
Prolonged pain syndrome can trigger stress and depression. In this case, valerian, lemon balm, combined herbal preparations are prescribed. Antidepressants are used for more severe disorders, and sleeping pills improve the process of falling asleep and the quality of sleep.
- Vitamins and vitamin-mineral complexes.
B vitamins are of great importance here because they are able to restore the sensitivity of the affected nerve fibers and reduce pain.
For the purpose of general strengthening of the organism, vitamin and mineral complexes can be prescribed.