The lumbar spine includes five vertebral discs that connect the sacrum and the thoracic spine. This part of the musculoskeletal system takes on heavy loads. He is the most mobile and prone to diseases, the signs of which can appear at different ages. One of these diseases 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 for M42 is assigned to osteochondrosis.
There are many ways to prevent and treat not only osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, but also polysegmental (M 42 code according to ICD-10).
Signs of lower back osteochondrosis
The cause of the disease can be:
- Excessive strain on the lumbar, sacral spine, which is typical for manual workers (loaders, pier, etc. ).
- Overweight patient, excessive pressure on the spine. It is often found in both women and men.
- Lack of physical activity, physical inactivity, worsening of circulation, nutrition of discs with essential substances, lack of vitamins.
- Posture disorders caused by the habit of sitting incorrectly, often at home (hunched over, slanted).
- Injuries during sports, incorrectly performed exercises.
- The age factor, when in women and men of advanced age the bones become prone to deformations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region
Pain, which indicates the urgent need for treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (code M 42 according to ICD-10), can occur even when sneezing or coughing. Manifestations of pain in the lumbosacral region can be caused by sharp movement, tilt, transmission of gravity.
The tingling may be localized or spread upward from the lower back. The pain can spread to the buttocks and legs. The patient's back loses flexibility. It becomes difficult for a person to make turns, inclines. General discomfort leads to sleep disorders, irritability, loss of strength.
As one of the possible complications of the disease - disorders of the genitourinary system. Pain may occur in the kidney area. Urinary incontinence may occur.
Treatment
In order to successfully cure lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), the patient will have to radically revise 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 the case of victory over the symptoms of the disease, it can come back again. Unfortunately, this happens in many cases.
Often, during the first visit to the doctor, the patient is prescribed medication. Drugs against lumbar osteochondrosis relieve pain, prevent inflammatory processes.
There are also many recipes in folk medicine for medicinal infusions, ointments that can help in the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" (lumbar or polysegmental, code M 42 according to ICD-10). Folk remedies are used externally or 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 eliminate the root cause of the disease. Complex rehabilitation measures are required for the full course of treatment. Without them, the treatment will not be effective, and the successes achieved will be short-lived. In some cases, a lumbar spine osteochondrosis belt (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 exercise (physiotherapy exercises), special gymnastics. A set of individual exercises should be selected by a physician, and the appointment should be conducted under the guidance of a qualified trainer. In the case when the patient has a pronounced problem of excess weight, it is necessary to adhere to the diet, as well as increase daily physical activity. A complex of these measures can cure osteochondrosis.
It is recommended to perform acupuncture for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Vitamin therapy for osteochondrosis
An integrated approach is important for the treatment of the disease. This treatment should include vitamins, which can often be taken at home.
B vitamins
They are prescribed in the initial phase of the disease in order to alleviate painful symptoms. This is often enough to cure osteochondrosis and relieve pain.
In addition to reducing pain, B vitamins can also be used to improve metabolic processes, restore immunity and sensitivity of tissues affected by the disease. They are used in the form of injections (intramuscularly or intravenously) and in the form of tablets.
B vitamins are found in:
- B1 (thiamine) - in grain, 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 vitamin B by injection is quite painful. However, when treating lumbar osteochondrosis, they are an excellent basis for major drug treatment.
D vitamins
Doctors recommend using it in combination with calcium, because this combination has a beneficial effect on bones, giving them strength. But the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, most of which suffer from osteochondrosis, is strengthened with the help of group D vitamins. Basically, for the treatment of the disease, experts will prescribe vitamin D3 (colecalciferol) or D2 (ergocalciferol).
Vitamins D are found in:
- Cod;
- Halibut;
- milk;
- yolks;
- butter;
- sardines;
- tuna liver.
Vitamins A and E
A and E are powerful antioxidants. They catalyze tissue regeneration. For example, vitamin A strengthens the immune system, actively resists infections, is responsible for the harmonious circulation of calcium, phosphorus and repairs damaged tissues.
Vitamins A and E must be consumed in "tandem" - when absorbed from the intestines, their elements complement and activate each other. Thanks to them, the symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) disappear, and the disease cannot spread further.
Contains in animal, plant food:
- carrots, primroses, 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 defenses. This is very necessary in the fight against any disease. This vitamin removes toxins, protects cartilage, muscles, and bone tissue from internal and external damage.
Ascorbic acid is sold in tablets, and also in ampoules for injections (this is also possible at home). Contains pomegranate, red (sweet) paprika, peas, strawberries, cabbage (broccoli, white cabbage, Brussels sprouts), needles, tangerines, oranges, tomatoes, primroses, 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 makes it difficult to move. Water helps to relax the entire spine, relieves muscle cramps and at the same time strengthens muscles.
- Acceleration of metabolic processes. Tissues of damaged and still normal discs receive the necessary food and begin to recover.
- Increase immunity. This is important for the treatment of any disease.
- Regular swimming and bathing, especially water exercises, which remove excess weight from the body.
- Swimming improves the work of the heart and respiratory system, helps to create a positive attitude in order to treat osteochondrosis.
Exercises in water, swimming are recommended for polysegmental osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) and for osteochondrosis of any part of the spine.
If you practice swimming and exercising in the pool with vitamins and other medications, then you can heal the affected discs, improve the general condition of the entire spine and get rid of pain.
Doctors advise swimming only in special pools. Of course, such treatment is usually not possible at home. But in the river, at sea, exercise is not recommended due to the fact that the flow of water bodies can cause additional stress on the spine.
When exercising in the pool, patients must follow a few basic rules. Improper swimming and exercise can worsen 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 treat osteochondrosis if you warm up before entering the pool. These can be simple exercises, massage. All this within a few 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 one session is 40-50 minutes.
- Special exercises in water, 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, medications), on the recommendation of a doctor, you should visit a 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.