The lumbar spine includes five vertebral discs that connect the sacrum and the thoracic spine. This part of the musculoskeletal system carries heavy loads. It is the most mobile and prone to diseases, the signs of which can appear at different ages. One of these diseases is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. In addition, the patient may develop multislice 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 attributed to osteochondrosis.
There are many ways to prevent and treat not only osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, but also multi-segmental (code M 42 according to ICD-10).
Signs of osteochondrosis in the lower back
The cause of the development of the disease can be:
- Excessive load on the lumbar, sacral spine, which is typical for manual workers (loaders, dock workers, etc. ).
- Excessive weight of the patient, exerting excessive pressure on the spine. It is often found in both women and men.
- Lack of physical activity, physical inactivity, when blood circulation deteriorates, nutrition of discs with essential substances, vitamins are lacking.
- Violation of posture caused by the habit of sitting incorrectly, often at home (bent, oblique).
- Injuries during sports, exercises performed incorrectly.
- The age factor, when in older women and men, the bones become prone to deformity.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region
Pain, which indicates the urgent need for treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), can occur even when you sneeze or cough. Manifestations of pain in the lumbar region can be caused by a sudden movement, tilt, transfer of gravity.
Tingling can be detected or spread upwards 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, inclines. General discomfort leads to sleep disorders, irritability, loss of strength.
As one of the possible complications of the disease - disorders of the urogenital system. Kidney pain may occur. There may be urinary disorders.
Treatment
For successful treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), the patient should radically review most of his daily habits. From now on, you will have to work on your health every day. If it is different, then even in case of victory over the symptoms of the disease, it can come back again. Unfortunately, this is often the case.
Often, at the first visit to the doctor, the patient is prescribed medication. Drugs against osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine relieve pain, prevent inflammatory processes.
And in folk medicine there are many prescriptions for medicinal decoctions, ointments that can help diagnose "osteochondrosis" (lumbar or multiple, M 42 code according to ICD-10). Folk remedies are used externally or taken orally to relieve pain and inflammation.
However, it is known that drug treatment only stops the manifestations of the disease (pain relief), but it is not enough to completely defeat the disease, it does not remove the root cause of the disease. Complete remedial measures are required for a complete course of treatment. Without them, the treatment will not be effective and the successes that will be achieved will be short-lived. In some cases, a lumbar spine osteochondrosis (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 physician and the appointment should be made under the guidance of a qualified instructor. In case the patient has a severe problem of being overweight, you should follow a diet, as well as increase daily physical activity. The complex of these measures can cure osteochondrosis.
It is also recommended to do acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Vitamin treatment for osteochondrosis
An integrated approach to treating the disease is important. This treatment should include vitamins, which can often be taken at home.
B vitamins
They are prescribed in the early stages of the disease to relieve painful symptoms. Often this is enough to cure osteochondrosis and remove the pain.
In addition to the fact that B vitamins reduce pain, they can also be used to improve metabolic processes, restore immunity and sensitivity of tissues affected by the disease. They are used both in the form of injections (intramuscular or intravenous) and in tablets.
B vitamins are found in:
- B1 (thiamine) - in cereals, bread (coarse flour), in yeast.
- B6 (pyridoxine) - in vegetables, eggs, milk, liver, meat, fish.
- B12 (cyanocobalamin) - in animal products: meat, beef liver.
Injecting B vitamins is quite painful. However, in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, they are an excellent background for the main drug treatment.
Vitamins D
Doctors recommend their use in combination with calcium, as this combination has a beneficial effect on the bones, giving them strength. But the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, mainly those suffering from osteochondrosis, is strengthened with the help of group D vitamins. Mainly, for the treatment of the disease, the specialists will prescribe vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or D2 (ergocalciferol).
Vitamins D are found in:
- cod;
- flounder;
- 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 repairs damaged tissues.
Vitamins A and E should be consumed "twice" - when absorbed by the intestines, their elements complement and activate the work of the other. Thanks to them, the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis disappear (code M 42 according to ICD-10) and the disease can not spread further.
Contained in animal, plant foods:
- carrots, parsley, spinach, green onions, sea buckthorn, wild rose, apricots, mountain ash, black currant, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries.
- fish oil, liver, milk.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) strengthens the body's defenses. This is very important in the fight against any disease. This vitamin removes toxins, protects cartilage, muscles, bone tissue from internal and external damage.
Ascorbic acid is sold in tablets and also in ampoules for injection (this is also possible at home). Contains roses, red (sweet) peppers, peas, strawberries, cabbage (broccoli, white cabbage, Brussels sprouts), needles, tangerines, oranges, tomatoes, parsley, dill.
What gives swimming and exercises for osteochondrosis
Properly organized swimming contributes to:
- Relaxation. Osteochondrosis of the back and multi-sectional (code M 42 according to ICD-10) leads to muscle spasms, their intensity, which impedes movement. Water helps the whole spine to relax, eliminates muscle spasm and at the same time strengthens the muscles.
- Acceleration of metabolic processes. The tissues of the damaged and still normal discs receive the nutrition they need and begin to recover.
- Increased immunity. This is important for the treatment of any disease.
- Regular swimming and bathing, and especially exercises in the water, which remove the extra pounds of the body.
- Swimming leads to improved heart and respiratory function, helps to create a positive attitude for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Exercises in the water, swimming are recommended both for multi-section osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), and for osteochondrosis of any part of the spine.
If, while taking vitamins and other medications, you are swimming and exercising in the pool, then you can heal the affected discs, improve the general condition of the entire spine and get rid of the pain.
Doctors advise swimming only in special pools. Of course, such a treatment is usually not possible at home. But in the river, at sea, exercises are not recommended due to the fact that the flow of water bodies can cause additional pressure on the spine.
When exercising in the pool, patients should follow a few basic rules. Improper swimming and exercise can make pain worse:
- 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 treat osteochondrosis if you warm up before entering the pool. It can be simple exercises, massage. All this in a few minutes will increase blood flow to the spine and prepare it for the procedure.
- Patients diagnosed with "lumbar (or multiple) osteochondrosis" should avoid sudden movements in the pool.
- You can (recommended) visit the pool at least twice a week, the optimal time for one 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 it is lumbar or partial), then in addition to home treatment (vitamins, medications), on a doctor's recommendation, you should visit the pool or gym. Doctors emphasize that only a comprehensive approach, patience, perseverance in overcoming the disease will achieve positive results in its treatment.