One of the conditions, accompanied by severe pain syndrome, is called osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of the disease, at least first aid for "lumbago", should beknown to all.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is carried out in several stages. It begins with the collection of the patient's existing complaints and the subsequent study of the history of the disease.
The next step is to examine the patient. Painful spots are revealed by palpation on the surface of the spine.
Radiology is compulsory for one person. It is this technique that is the key way to diagnose the disease. In the resulting image, the doctor is able to follow the typical signs of inflammation - narrowing of the cracks between the vertebrae. In addition, an x-ray reveals subchronic sclerosis, a condition in which the surface of an individual vertebra is compacted, along with osteophytes (bony growths).
The MRIexam is also mandatory. It is magnetic resonance imaging that allows you to diagnose pathological processes occurring in the spine with maximum accuracy.
Computed tomography may become an alternative to MRI, replacing the procedure in the event that a person is physically unable to spend approximately 40 minutes in the confined space of the CT scanner.
A blood test is also assigned. It is necessary to exclude rheumatological pathology. Analysis is performed in the event that a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of osteochondrosis has an increased ESR.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Each vertebra contains a fibrous ring that helps the spine resist the strain placed on it. Pathological changes in the intracartilaginous tissue lead to increased pressure on the fibrous ring. Its protrusion occurs, accompanied by damage to the nerve roots. The result of the change is severe pain syndrome. This is how osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine manifests itself, 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 experience back pain;
- increased pain - is fixed after a long stay of a person in the same position;
- feeling of sharp pain - lumbago - in the lumbar region;
- periodic tingling sensation in the legs.
In women, the pathology can be manifested by additional symptoms (they are caused by a violation of the local blood circulation due to increased pressure):
- inflammation of the organs of the reproductive system - uterus and ovaries;
- infertility - develops in rare cases and is a complication of the advanced form of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
With osteochondrosis, the muscles of the thigh hurts and cannot walk - what to do
If during osteochondrosis the thigh muscles ache and cannot walk, how can the pain be relieved and what is the cause of the pain?
For this pathology, the development of unpleasant sensations in the lower back is typical. At first, they are formed only after intense physical exertion, but as the condition worsens, they become incessant and acquire a painful character. Sometimes a person has "lumbago" - a sharp painful sensation.
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 intensifies. In this case, the pain can spread to the muscles of the thigh and significantly affect the quality of life of the patient.
Symptomatic drugs are generally recommended to relieve the disease. They do not cure osteochondrosis, but only reduce the manifestations of pain.
To relieve the disease, agents from the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.
Blockade is used for severe pain. But only a specialist can offer this type of pain relief. The doctor gives injections at specific points, which helps relieve the pain completely. 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, the symptoms and treatment of the disease involve the use of several groups of drugs. The funds are used in the complex.
Preparations from the category of muscle relaxers are designed to relax the muscle corset and relieve the formed spasm. In addition, they normalize local blood circulation, partially relieving pain.
When choosing a drug, one must take into account the existing contraindications. There are quite a few of them.
The next group of products are drugs that improve blood circulation. Lack of oxygen to internal organs as a result of narrowing of the lumen of the vessels can cause their hypoxia. To exclude the development of such a pathology, the patient is prescribed special drugs.
Pain relievers become compulsory drugs. To relieve puffiness and eliminate pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They do not have a therapeutic effect, but act precisely symptomatically, relieving existing pain.
The attending physician should prescribe the remedy and select the dosage. It is strongly not recommended to increase the dose of the drug on your own, as this can have a very negative effect on the general well-being.
The next category of prescribed drugs is sedatives. The main symptom of osteochondrosis is severe pain, which negatively affects the mental state of the patient.
Exceeding the authorized doses prescribed by a specialist is unacceptable.
Osteochondrosis of the lower back: treatment at home
Home treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is primarily for pain relief. Doctors allow the use of pain relievers.
It should be noted that you can only start treatment after consulting your doctor. The selection of drugs and dosage should be left to a specialist.
Osteochondrosis - treatment with folk remedies
Treatment with folk remedies consists of the preparation of various rubs.
- An ointment made from hops and butter gives a good result. Dried hop cones should be ground into a powder and mixed with softened butter. A well-rubbed mass should be applied to the area of inflammation until it is completely absorbed.
- A popular remedy is elderberry rub. For a glass of berries of medical alcohol, four glasses of fresh berries are taken. Before pouring them with alcohol, the elderberry should be rubbed. Insist on the remedy for two weeks, then strain and use the tincture to rub.
Now you know what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, the symptoms and treatment of the disease. If you experience pain typical of the disease, you should see a qualified doctor.