The lumbar spine comprises five vertebral discs that connect the sacrum and the thoracic spine. This part of the musculoskeletal system takes on heavy loads. It is the most mobile and prone to diseases, the signs of which can appear at different ages. One such ailment 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 how to treat not only osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, but also the polysegmental one (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 spine, sacral, typical of manual workers (loaders, dockers, etc. ).
- Excessive weight of the patient, excessive pressure on the spine. It is often found in both women and men.
- Lack of physical activity, physical inactivity, when blood circulation worsens, feeding discs with essential substances, vitamins are scarce.
- Violation of posture caused by the habit of sitting incorrectly, often at home (curved, oblique).
- Injuries during sports, exercises performed incorrectly.
- The age factor, when in women and men in old age, the bones become subject to deformation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the lower back
Pain, indicating that urgent treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (M code 42 according to ICD-10) is needed, can also occur when sneezing or coughing. Manifestations of pain in the lumbosacral region can be caused by a sharp movement, tilt, transfer of gravity.
The tingling can be localized or spread upward from the lower back. The pain can also radiate to the buttocks and legs. The patient's back loses 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 can appear in the kidney area. There may be disturbances in urination.
Treatment
To successfully treat lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), the patient will have to radically review most of his daily habits. From now on, you will have to work on health every day. If it is different, even in case of victory over the symptoms of the disease, it may recur. Unfortunately, this happens in many cases.
Often, during the first visit to the doctor, the patient is prescribed medication. Lumbar osteochondrosis drugs relieve pain, prevent inflammatory processes.
And in folk medicine there are many recipes for medicinal infusions, ointments that can help with the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" (lumbar or polysegmental, code M 42 according to ICD-10). Folk 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 defeat the disease, it does not remove the root cause of the disease. Complex rehabilitation measures are required for a full course of treatment. 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 must also be worn at home.
A special place in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) is occupied by physical therapy (physiotherapy exercises), special gymnastics. A series of individual exercises should be selected by a physician and the appointment should be implemented under the guidance of a qualified instructor. In the event that the patient has a pronounced problem of excess weight, it is necessary to follow a diet and increase daily physical activity. The complex of these measures can cure osteochondrosis.
It is also recommended to perform acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Vitamin therapy for osteochondrosis
To treat the disease, an integrated approach is important. This treatment should include vitamins, which can often be taken at home.
Vitamins of group B
They are prescribed in the initial stage of the disease to relieve painful symptoms. Often this is enough to cure osteochondrosis and remove 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 the tissues affected by the disease. They are used both in the form of injections (intramuscularly or intravenously) and in tablets.
B vitamins are found in:
- B1 (thiamine) - in wheat, in bread (coarse flour), in yeast;
- B6 (pyridoxine) - in vegetables, eggs, milk, liver, meat, fish;
- B12 (cyanocobalamin) - in animal products: meat, beef liver.
The introduction of vitamins B by injection is quite painful. However, in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, they are an excellent background for the main treatment with drugs.
Vitamins D.
Doctors recommend using them in combination with calcium, as this combination has a beneficial effect on the bones, giving them strength. But the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, especially suffering from osteochondrosis, is strengthened with the help of vitamins of group D. Mostly, to treat the disease, experts will prescribe vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or D2 (ergocalciferol).
Vitamins D are 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 must be consumed "in tandem": once absorbed by the intestine, 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 is unable to spread further.
Content in animal and plant foods:
- carrots, parsley, spinach, green onions, sea buckthorn, dog rose, apricots, rowan, black currants, blueberries, strawberries, blueberries;
- fish oil, liver, milk.
C vitamin
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) strengthens the body's defenses. This is very necessary when fighting any disease. This vitamin removes toxins, protects cartilage, muscles, bone tissue from internal and external damage.
Ascorbic acid is sold in tablets and, moreover, in injectable ampoules (this is also possible at home). Contains rose hips, red (sweet) peppers, peas, strawberries, cabbage (broccoli, white cabbage, Brussels sprouts), needles, mandarins, oranges, tomatoes, parsley, dill.
What gives swimming and exercises for osteochondrosis
Properly organized swimming contributes to:
- Relaxation. Osteochondrosis of the lower back and polysegmental (code M 42 according to ICD-10) leads to muscle spasms, their tension, which hinders 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 tissues receive the nourishment they need and begin to recover.
- Boost immunity. This is important for curing any disease.
- Regular swimming and bathing, and especially water exercises, which remove the extra pounds from the body.
- Swimming leads to an improvement in the functioning of the heart and respiratory system, helps to create a positive attitude to cure osteochondrosis.
Exercises in the water, swimming are recommended both for polysegmental osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), and for osteochondrosis of any of the sections of the spine.
If, while taking vitamins and other drugs, 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 recommend swimming treatment only in special pools. Of course, 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 must follow some basic rules. Improper swimming and exercise can exacerbate the pain:
- The water temperature should not be below 23 degrees, and during the first visits to the pool - at a level of 27 - 30 degrees Celsius.
- Swimming will help treat osteochondrosis if you warm up before entering the pool. They can be simple exercises, massages. All of this in 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 and women with osteochondrosis should be recommended by a therapeutic exercise specialist.
So, if you have signs of osteochondrosis (either lumbar or polysegmental), in addition to home treatment (vitamins, drugs), on the advice of a doctor, you should visit the swimming pool or gym. Doctors point out that only an integrated approach, patience, perseverance in overcoming the disease will achieve positive results during its treatment.