One of the diseases that accompanies severe pain syndrome is called osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, symptoms and treatment of the disease. At least first aid for "lumbago" should be known to everyone.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine takes place in several stages. It begins with collecting the patient's existing complaints and then examining the medical history.
The next step is to examine the patient. Pain points become visible by palpation on the surface of the spine.
Radiology is mandatory for one person. This technique is key to diagnosing the disease. In the resulting image, the doctor can follow typical signs of inflammation - narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. In addition, an X-ray shows subchronic sclerosis, where the surface of a single vertebra is compacted, as well as osteophytes (bone growth).
An MRI examination is also mandatory. It is magnetic resonance imaging that allows us to diagnose pathological processes in the spine with maximum accuracy.
Computed tomography can be an alternative to MRI and replace the procedure if a person is physically unable to spend around 40 minutes in the confined space of the tomograph.
Blood test is also assigned. It is necessary to exclude rheumatological pathology. An analysis is performed in the event that a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis has an elevated ESR.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Each vertebra contains a fibrous ring that helps the spine withstand the strain. The pathological changes that have occurred in the intracartilaginous tissue cause an increase in pressure on the annulus fibrosus. Its protrusion occurs, accompanied by an injury to the nerve roots. The result of the change is severe pain syndrome. This is how osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is manifested, the symptoms and treatment of which we are considering.
Signs of inflammation of the lumbar spine are:
- Severe pain is the main symptom of degenerative changes in the spine, since a healthy person does not have back pain.
- increased pain - resolved after a person has been in the same position for a long time;
- Sensation of sharp pain - lumbago - in the lumbar region;
- periodic tingling in the legs.
In women, the pathology can manifest itself with additional symptoms (they are caused by a violation of the local blood supply as a result of increased pressure):
- inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system - uterus and ovaries;
- Infertility - rarely develops and is a complication of the advanced format of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
With osteochondrosis, the muscles of the thigh hurt and do not allow walking - what to do
If during osteochondrosis the muscles of the thigh ache and prevent walking, how can the pain be relieved and what is the cause of the pain?
The development of unpleasant sensations in the lower back is typical of this pathology. At first they are formed only after vigorous physical exertion, but when the condition worsens, they become incessant and acquire a painful character. Sometimes a person has "lumbago" - a sharp painful feeling.
The pain is relieved when walking and when the patient is in a horizontal position. But when a person sits, stands, or coughs / sneezes, the pain only increases. In this case, the pain can spread to the muscles of the thigh and significantly affect the patient's quality of life.
Symptomatic medications are generally recommended to alleviate the condition. They do not cure osteochondrosis, only reduce the manifestations of pain.
To relieve the condition, agents from the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed.
Blockade is practiced for severe pain. But only a specialist can do this type of pain relief. The doctor will give injections in specific places to help completely relieve the pain. Individual intolerance to the drug used becomes a contraindication.
Preparations for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lower back
One of the most unpleasant diseases of the back is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Symptoms and treatment for the disease involve the use of several groups of drugs. The funds are used in the complex.
Preparations from the category of muscle relaxants are intended to relax the muscle corset and relieve the cramp that has formed. In addition, they normalize the local blood flow and partially alleviate the pain.
When choosing a drug, the existing contraindications should be taken into account. They are quite numerous.
The next group of products are drugs that improve blood circulation. The lack of oxygen in the internal organs as a result of narrowing the lumen of the vessels can lead to their hypoxia. To exclude the development of such a pathology, the patient is prescribed special drugs.
Painkillers are becoming mandatory drugs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve swelling and relieve pain. They have no therapeutic effect, but have a precisely symptomatic effect and relieve existing pain.
The attending physician should prescribe the agent and select the dosage. It is strongly advised not to increase the dose of the drug yourself, as this can have a very negative impact on general well-being.
The next category of prescribed medication is sedative. The main symptom of osteochondrosis is severe pain, which has a negative effect on the patient's mental state.
Exceeding the permissible dosages prescribed by a specialist is not acceptable.
Lower back osteochondrosis: home treatment
Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is primarily aimed at pain relief. Doctors allow the use of pain relievers.
Please note that you can only start treatment after consulting your doctor. The choice of drugs and dosage should be made by a specialist.
Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies consists in the preparation of various rubs.
- An ointment based on hops and butter gives a good result. Dry hop cones need to be ground into powder and mixed with soft butter. Thoroughly rubbed mass must be applied to the area of inflammation until completely absorbed.
- A popular means is grating elderberry. For one glass of berries with medical alcohol, four glasses of fresh berries are used. Before pouring alcohol into it, the elderberry must be rubbed in. Insist on the remedy for two weeks, then drain and rub the tincture.
Now you know what lumbar spine osteochondrosis is, symptoms and treatment for the disease. If you experience pain typical of the disease, you should seek qualified medical help.