Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease of the spine, which, if complicated, can permanently worsen the quality of life.This pathology has become significantly "younger": various forms of the disease are increasingly found in young people.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment with drugs
Osteochondrosis is the name given to the deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilage and bones of the spine.
Depending on the location, cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lumbosacral) osteochondrosis are distinguished.
The causes of this disease are quite different:
- walk upright;
- scoliosis;
- spinal cord injury;
- flat feet;
- work that involves heavy lifting;
- frequent changes in body position;
- spinal load;
- staying for a long time in an uncomfortable position;
- 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 through pain.Pain is pain;
- There is pain in the lower part of the leg, and then numbness;
- Due to discomfort, motor activity is significantly reduced;
- The pain worsens when lifting heavy objects, intense physical activity, sudden movement, and also when 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-ray, CT or MRI should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.Based on the results obtained, various treatments are prescribed: drugs, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapy procedures.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with drugs
Medicines should stop the acute process, relieve symptoms, and partially restore the damaged intervertebral disc tissue.
The drugs used are classified according to their type of action:
- Painkillers - relieve acute pain;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve swelling and inflammation;
- Muscle relaxant - relieves muscle spasms;
- Glucocorticoid hormones - prescribed when other drugs have no effect;
- Chondroprotectors - stimulate cartilage regeneration;
- Metabolism/blood flow accelerator;
- Minerals and vitamins - improve nerve conduction.
Treatment with medications for exacerbations
During this period, the most important thing is pain relief.Therapy begins with injections and then continues with tablets.It is very important to start treatment on time, because inflammation can block the vessels and nerves of the affected part of the spine.
Pain is relieved with analgesics and NSAIDs.Opioid analgesics are the 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 (gel, ointment), internal (tablets, capsules) and in injection form (for intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous administration).
Relax the muscles
Muscle spasms are a response to inflammation.Muscle tension increases pain.Muscle relaxants relax the muscles and, thus, reduce the severity of the disease.
The dose is selected individually.Therapy with this lasts 2-3 weeks or until symptoms disappear.
Pain relief
Blocking with anesthetic involves a puncture in the affected area.They can give injections with glucocorticoid drugs.The analgesic effect lasts up to 3 days.
Treatment with hormones
Glucocorticoid hormones have a strong anti-inflammatory effect.But they are only used if there is no effect from less aggressive drugs.Often, complex drugs are prescribed, one of the components of which is a hormone.Hormone treatment is associated with a high risk of side effects, so it is prescribed for the shortest possible time.
Preparation for external use
In the case of exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, various gels / ointments are used that have a warming and local heating effect.They may also be anti-inflammatory.Ointments and gels reduce the severity of disease symptoms.
Vasodilator - vasodilator
Muscle spasms and pain trigger the narrowing of blood vessels.To exclude this phenomenon, drugs are prescribed that dilate blood vessels and increase tissue trophism.
Treatment during remission
In the case of exacerbation, only drugs are used that relieve the symptoms of lumbar spine disease, but do not affect the cause.Remedial 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 becomes chronic.Therefore, in some cases, treatment is carried out without strong drugs.
Chondroprotectors help restore the function of the intervertebral discs of the lumbar region.They saturate the cartilage tissue with useful substances and restore the elasticity of the disc.
Chondroprotectors stop the process of cartilage destruction and stabilize their condition.But you have to take such medicine for a long time, sometimes for life.The effect occurs at least six months after the start of therapy.Chondroprotectors are used externally and internally, as well as in the form of injections.
These drugs are based on two active substances - glucosamine and chondroitin.Medicines may include one or both of these ingredients at once, and may also be supplemented with other active ingredients.
Examples of chondroprotectors:
- based on glucosamine;
- based on chondroitin;
- with glucosamine and chondroitin;
- with glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamins;
- ampoule 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.Vitamin-mineral complex is prescribed as a general strengthening agent.
A preventive course of such drugs will support the health of the spine.2-3 courses a year are enough to reduce the risk of disease exacerbation.
Sedative
Prolonged discomfort causes a person to be stressed and can lead to stress and even depression.To prevent deterioration of the psycho-emotional state, motherwort, valerian, and combined herbal medicine are prescribed.
If the mental disorder is severe, antidepressants are used.To improve the quality of sleep, sleeping pills are prescribed.