Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease of the spine, which, if complicated, can permanently worsen the quality of life. This pathology is significantly "younger" - various forms of the disease are becoming more common in young people.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and pharmacological treatment.
Osteochondrosis is the deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilage and bones of the spine.
Depending on the localization, cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lumbosacral) osteochondrosis are isolated.
The causes of the disease are quite diverse:
- upright posture;
- scoliosis;
- spinal injury;
- flatfoot;
- work associated with lifting weights;
- frequent changes in body position;
- spinal overload;
- prolonged stay in uncomfortable positions;
- obesity and low physical activity;
- poor nutrition, accompanied by a deficiency of nutrients;
- stress.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
- First of all, the disease makes itself felt by pain syndrome. Pain is painful in nature;
- In the lower extremities there is a sensation of pain, and later numbness;
- Due to discomfort, motor activity is significantly reduced;
- The pain is exacerbated by heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, sudden movements, and even sneezing or coughing.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the lumbar area
The conclusion is made by the neurologist, based on the patient's complaints. The doctor examines the spine in different positions, at rest/in motion. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Based on the results obtained, a wide range of treatments is prescribed: medications, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy procedures.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with drugs.
Medications should stop the acute process, relieve symptoms, partially restore the damaged tissues of the intervertebral discs.
The drugs used are classified according to the type of action:
- Analgesics - eliminate acute pain;
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): relieve swelling and inflammation;
- Muscle relaxants: relax spasmodic muscles;
- Glucocorticoid hormones - prescribed in the absence of the effect of other drugs;
- Chondroprotectors - stimulate cartilage regeneration;
- Means for accelerating metabolism/blood flow;
- Minerals and vitamins: improve nerve conduction.
Drug treatment for exacerbations.
During this period, the most important thing is to relieve pain. The therapy begins with injections and then continues with tablets. It is very important to start treatment in a timely manner, since the inflammation can block the vessels and nerves of the affected spine.
The pain is relieved with analgesics and NSAIDs. Opioid pain relievers are the most effective but have side effects. NSAIDs are safer in this regard, which is why 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).
muscle relaxants
Muscle spasm is a response to inflammation. Muscle tension increases pain. Muscle relaxants relax the muscles, respectively, reduce the severity of the disease.
The dosage is selected individually. Therapy with these lasts 2-3 weeks or until the symptoms disappear.
pain blocks
Blockade with anesthetics is a chipping of the affected area. They may give injections with glucocorticoid medications. The analgesic effect lasts up to 3 days.
hormone treatment
Glucocorticoid hormones have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. But those are used only in the absence of the effect of less aggressive drugs. In most cases, complex drugs are prescribed, one of the components of which is hormones. Hormonal treatment is associated with a high risk of side effects, therefore it is prescribed for the shortest possible time.
Preparations 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 the symptoms of the disease.
Vasodilators - vasodilators
Muscle spasm and pain cause blood vessels to constrict. To exclude such a phenomenon, a drug is prescribed that dilates blood vessels and improves tissue trophism.
Treatment during remission
During an exacerbation, only those drugs are used that relieve the symptoms of lumbar spine disease, but do not affect its causes. Restorative 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 progresses slowly and becomes chronic. Therefore, in some cases, treatment is carried out without powerful drugs.
Chondroprotectors help restore the functions of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar area. They saturate the cartilaginous tissues with useful substances and restore the elasticity of the discs.
Chondroprotectors stop the process of cartilage destruction, stabilize its condition. But these drugs must be taken for a long time, sometimes for life. The effect occurs at least six months after the start of therapy. Chondroprotectors are used both externally and internally, as well as in the form of injections.
Two active substances are taken as the basis of such drugs: glucosamine and chondroitin. The medicine can include any of these substances, or both at the same time, as well as be supplemented with other active substances.
Examples of chondroprotectors:
- based on glucosamine;
- chondroitin-based;
- with glucosamine and chondroitin;
- with glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamins;
- ampoules for injection.
Medications to improve blood flow and metabolism.
The B vitamins, in particular B1, B6 and B12, as well as ascorbic acid, have a beneficial effect on the peripheral nervous system. Complex vitamin preparations can be prescribed. Vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed as a general strengthening.
A preventive course with such drugs will support the health of the spine. Enough 2-3 courses per year to reduce the risk of exacerbation of the disease.
sedatives (sedatives)
Prolonged malaise depresses a person, can cause stress and even depression. To prevent the deterioration of the psycho-emotional state, preparations of motherwort, valerian, combined medicinal herbs are prescribed.
If mental disorders are severe, antidepressants are used. Sleeping pills are prescribed to improve the quality of sleep.