The lumbar spine consists of five vertebral discs connecting the sacrum and the thoracic spine. This part of the musculoskeletal system bears heavy loads. It is the most mobile and prone to diseases, the signs of which can appear at different ages. One of these conditions is lumbar osteochondrosis. In addition, the patient may develop polysegmental osteochondrosis (affecting all parts of the spine). A description of the disease can be found in the International Classification of Diseases - ICD-10, where the general code M42 is assigned to osteochondrosis.
There are many ways to prevent and treat not only osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, but also polysegmental (code M 42 according to ICD-10).
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lower back
The cause of the development of the disease can be:
- Excessive load on the lumbar and sacral spine, typical of manual workers (loaders, dockers, etc. ).
- Excessive patient weight, putting too much pressure on the spine. It is often found in both women and men.
- Lack of physical activity, physical inactivity, when blood circulation deteriorates, disc nutrition with essential substances, vitamins are scarce.
- Violation of posture caused by the habit of sitting incorrectly, often at home (hunched, crooked).
- Injuries during sports, poorly performed exercises.
- The age factor, when in women and men of advanced age, the bones become prone to deformation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the lumbar
Pain, indicating that urgent treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (code M 42 according to ICD-10) is necessary, can occur even when sneezing or coughing. Manifestations of pain in the lumbosacral region can be caused by a sharp movement, tilt, transfer of gravity.
The tingling may be localized or spread upward from the lower back. The pain may also radiate to the buttocks and legs. The patient's back loses its flexibility. It becomes difficult for a person to perform turns, inclinations. General discomfort leads to sleep disturbances, irritability, loss of strength.
As one of the possible complications of the disease - disorders of the genitourinary system. Pain may appear in the kidney area. There may be disturbances in urination.
Treatment
To successfully cure lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), the patient will have to radically change most of his daily habits. From now on, you will have to work on health on a daily basis. If he is different, then even if he overcomes the symptoms of the disease, he can return. Unfortunately, this happens in many cases.
Often, during the first visit to the doctor, the patient is prescribed medication. Medicines for lumbar osteochondrosis relieve pain, prevent inflammatory processes.
And in folk medicine there are many recipes for medicinal infusions, ointments that can help in the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" (lumbar or polysegmental, code M 42 according to ICD-10). Traditional medicines are used externally or taken orally to relieve pain and inflammation.
However, it is known that drug therapy only stops the manifestations of the disease (pain relief), but it is not enough to completely overcome the disease, it does not eliminate the root cause of the disease. For full treatment, complex rehabilitation measures are necessary. Without them, the treatment will not be effective, and the successes achieved will be short-lived. In some cases, a belt for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (corset) may be prescribed, which should also be worn at home.
A special place in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) is occupied by exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises), special gymnastics. A set of individual exercises should be selected by a doctor, and the appointment should be carried out under the guidance of a qualified trainer. In the event that the patient has a pronounced problem with excess weight, you need to follow a diet and increase daily physical activity. The complex of these measures can cure osteochondrosis.
It is also advisable to do acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Vitamin therapy for osteochondrosis
To cure the disease, an integrated approach is important. This treatment should include vitamins, which can often be taken at home.
B vitamins
They are prescribed at the initial stage of the disease in order to relieve painful symptoms. Often this is enough to cure osteochondrosis and eliminate pain.
Besides the fact that B vitamins reduce pain, they can also be used to improve metabolic processes, restore immunity and sensitivity of diseased tissues. They are used both in the form of injections (intramuscularly or intravenously) and tablets.
B vitamins are found in:
- B1 (thiamin) - in cereals, bread (coarse flour), in yeast;
- B6 (pyridoxine) - in vegetables, eggs, milk, liver, meat, fish;
- B12 (cyanocobalamin) - in products of animal origin: meat, beef liver.
The introduction of B vitamins by injection is quite painful. However, when treating lumbar osteochondrosis, they are an excellent background for the main treatment with drugs.
Vitamins D
Doctors recommend using them in combination with calcium, since this combination has a beneficial effect on the bones, giving them strength. But the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, most often suffering from osteochondrosis, is strengthened with the help of vitamins of group D. Most often, to cure the disease, experts will prescribe vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or D2 (ergocalciferol).
Vitamin D is found in:
- Cod;
- halibut;
- Milk;
- egg yolks;
- Butter;
- sardines;
- tuna liver.
Vitamins A and E
A and E are powerful antioxidants. They catalyze tissue regeneration. For example, vitamin A promotes the strengthening of the immune system, actively resists infections, is responsible for the harmonious circulation of calcium, phosphorus and restores damaged tissues.
Vitamins A and E should be consumed in "tandem" - when absorbed from the intestines, their elements complement and activate each other. It is thanks to them that the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) disappear and the disease can no longer spread.
Contained in foods of animal and plant origin:
- carrots, parsley, spinach, green onions, sea buckthorn, wild rose, apricots, mountain ash, black currants, blueberries, strawberries, blueberries;
- fish oil, liver, milk.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) strengthens the body's defences. This is very necessary when fighting any disease. This vitamin eliminates toxins, protects cartilage, muscles, bone tissue from internal and external damage.
Ascorbic acid is sold in tablets and, in addition, in ampoules for injection (this is also possible at home). It contains rosehips, red peppers (sweet), peas, strawberries, cabbage (broccoli, white cabbage, Brussels sprouts), needles, tangerines, oranges, tomatoes, parsley, dill.
What gives swimming and exercises for osteochondrosis
Well-organized swimming contributes to:
- Relaxation. Lower back and polysegmental osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) leads to muscle spasms, their tension, which impedes movement. Water helps the entire spine to relax, eliminates muscle spasms and at the same time strengthens the muscles.
- Acceleration of metabolic processes. Damaged and still normal disc tissue receives the nutrition it needs and begins to recover.
- Increase immunity. This is important for treating any disease.
- Regular swimming and bathing, and most importantly exercises in the water, which remove excess pounds from the body.
- Swimming leads to improved functioning of the heart and respiratory system, helps to create a positive attitude in order to cure osteochondrosis.
Exercises in water, swimming are recommended both for polysegmental osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) and osteochondrosis of one of the sections of the spine.
If, while taking vitamins and other medications, you practice swimming and exercises in the pool, you can heal the affected discs, improve the general condition of the entire spine and get rid of pain.
Doctors advise swimming treatment only in special pools. Naturally, such treatment is usually not possible at home. But in the river, in the sea, exercises are not recommended because the flow of water bodies can cause additional stress on the spine.
When exercising in the pool, patients should follow a few basic rules. Improper swimming and exercise can exacerbate pain:
- The water temperature should not be lower than 23 degrees, and during the first visits to the pool - at the level of 27-30 degrees Celsius.
- Swimming will help cure osteochondrosis, if you do a warm-up before entering the pool. It can be simple exercises, massage. All of this within minutes will increase blood flow to the spine and prepare it for the procedure.
- Patients diagnosed with "lumbar (or polysegmental) osteochondrosis" should avoid sudden movements in the pool.
- You can (recommended) visit the pool at least twice a week, the optimal time for a session is 40-50 minutes.
- Special water exercises, swimming for men, as well as women with osteochondrosis, should be recommended by a specialist in therapeutic exercises.
So, if you have signs of osteochondrosis (whether lumbar or polysegmental), then in addition to home treatment (vitamins, drugs), on the recommendation of a doctor, you should go to the pool or gym. Doctors emphasize that only an integrated approach, patience, perseverance in overcoming the disease will achieve positive results during its treatment.