Osteochondrosis is a dangerous spinal disease, which, if complicated, can permanently worsen quality of life. This pathology is significantly "younger": various forms of the disease are increasingly common in young people.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and drug treatment
Osteochondrosis is called deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilage and bone of the spine.
Depending on the location, cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lumbosacral) osteochondrosis are isolated.
The causes of this disease are quite diverse:
- upright posture;
- scoliosis;
- spinal cord injuries;
- Flat feet;
- work related to weight lifting;
- frequent changes in body position;
- spinal load;
- long stays in uncomfortable positions;
- obesity and low physical activity;
- poor nutrition, accompanied by a lack of nutrients;
- pressure.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
- First of all, the disease makes itself felt by pain syndrome. Pain is pain in nature;
- In the lower part of the leg there is pain, and then - numbness;
- Due to the discomfort, motor activity is significantly reduced;
- The pain is aggravated by heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, sudden movements, and even sneezing/coughing.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
Conclusions are made by neurologists, based on patient complaints. The doctor examines the spine in different positions, while resting / moving. X-rays, CT or MRI should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Based on the results obtained, various treatments are prescribed: medications, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy procedures.
Treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis with medications
Medication should stop the acute process, relieve symptoms, restore part of the damaged intervertebral disc tissue.
The drugs used are classified according to the type of action:
- Painkillers - eliminate acute pain;
- Nonsteroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve swelling and inflammation;
- Muscle relaxation - relaxes cramped muscles;
- Glucocorticoid hormones - prescribed if there is no effect of other drugs;
- Chondroprotectors - stimulate cartilage regrowth;
- Means to speed up metabolism / blood flow;
- Minerals and vitamins - increase nerve conduction.
Drug treatment for exacerbations
During this period, it is most important to relieve pain. Therapy begins with injections, and then continues with tablets. It is very important to start treatment on time, as inflammation can block the affected spinal canals and nerves.
Pain relief with analgesics and NSAIDs. Opioid analgesics are most effective but have side effects. NSAIDs are safer in this regard, so they are prescribed more often.
Both analgesics and NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins, substances involved in the inflammatory process and responsible for pain.
NSAIDs relieve discomfort and inflammation. There are products for external use (gels, ointments), internal (tablets, capsules) and in the form of injections (for intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous administration).
Relax your muscles
Muscle spasm is a response to inflammation. Muscle tension increases pain. Muscle relaxation relaxes the muscles, respectively, reducing the severity of the disease.
The dose is selected individually. Therapy with this lasts 2-3 weeks or until symptoms disappear.
Pain restriction
Blockage with anesthetic is a fragment of the affected area. They can give injections with glucocorticoid medications. The analgesic effect lasts up to 3 days.
Hormone treatment
Glucocorticoid hormones have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. But they are used only if there is no less aggressive drug effect. Often, complex drugs are prescribed, one of the components of which is hormones. Hormone treatment is associated with a high risk of side effects, therefore, it is prescribed for the shortest possible time.
Preparation for external use
With the exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, various gels / ointments are used that have a warming and local warming effect. They can also be anti-inflammatory. Ointments and gels reduce the severity of disease symptoms.
Vasodilator - vasodilator
Muscle cramps and pain trigger narrowing of blood vessels. To exclude such phenomena, drugs are prescribed that dilate blood vessels and increase tissue trophism.
Treatment during remission
During exacerbations, only medications are used that relieve the symptoms of lumbar spine disease, but do not affect the cause. Rehabilitation measures should be carried out in combination with symptomatic therapy. However, osteochondrosis does not always manifest itself acutely, for example, when the thoracic region is affected, the disease develops slowly and chronically. Therefore, in some cases, treatment is performed without strong medications.
Chondroprotectors help restore lumbar intervertebral disc function. They saturate the cartilaginous tissue with useful substances and restore elasticity to the discs.
Chondroprotectors stop the process of cartilage destruction, stabilizing their condition. But these medications need to be taken for a long time, sometimes for a lifetime. The effect occurs at least six months after the start of therapy. Chondroprotectors are used externally and internally, as well as in injectable form.
Two active ingredients are taken as the basis of the drug - glucosamine and chondroitin. Medications may include one of these ingredients, or both at once, as well as supplemented with other active ingredients.
Examples of chondroprotectors:
- based on glucosamine;
- based on chondroitin;
- with glucosamine and chondroitin;
- with glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamins;
- ampoules for injection.
Medicines to increase blood flow and metabolism
B vitamins, especially B1, B6 and B12, as well as ascorbic acid, have a beneficial effect on the peripheral nervous system. Complex vitamin preparations can be prescribed. The vitamin-mineral complex is prescribed as a general reinforcement.
A course of prevention with such medications will support the health of the spine. Enough 2-3 courses a year to reduce the risk of disease progression.
Sedative
Prolonged discomfort depresses a person, can cause stress and even depression. To prevent deterioration of psycho-emotional state, preparations of motherwort, valerian, combined herbal remedies are prescribed.
If the mental disorder is severe, antidepressants are used. Sleeping pills are prescribed to improve sleep quality.