The lumbar spine consists of five discs that connect the sacrum and thoracic spine. This part of the musculoskeletal system is heavily loaded. It is the most mobile and susceptible to diseases, the signs of which can appear at different ages. One of these ailments is osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. 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 osteochondrosis is assigned the general code M42.
There are many ways to prevent and treat not only lumbar osteochondrosis, but also polysegmental (M 42 code according to ICD-10).
Signs of osteochondrosis of the lower back
The cause of the development of the disease can be:
- Excessive stress on the lumbar, sacral spine, which is typical for workers (loaders, dockers, etc. ).
- Patient overweight, which puts too much pressure on the spine. It is commonly found in both women and men.
- Lack of physical activity, physical inactivity, when blood circulation deteriorates, nutrition of the intervertebral discs with essential substances, vitamins are scarce.
- Violation of posture due to improper sitting, often at home (stooped, crooked).
- Injuries during sports, exercises performed incorrectly.
- The age factor, when in women and men of advanced age, the bones become prone to deformation.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine
Pain can also occur when sneezing or coughing, which indicates urgent treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (code M 42 according to ICD-10). Symptoms of pain in the lumbosacral area can be caused by a sharp movement, tilt, transfer of gravity.
The tingling may be localized or spread up 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 twists and turns. General malaise leads to sleep disorders, irritability, loss of strength.
As one of the possible complications of the disease - disorders in the genitourinary system. Pain may appear in the kidney area. There may be disturbances in urination.
treatment
In order to successfully cure lumbar osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10), the patient must radically change most of their everyday habits. From now on you have to work on your health every day. If it is different, it can come back even in case of defeating the disease symptoms. Unfortunately, this happens in many cases.
Drugs are often prescribed to the patient at the first visit to the doctor. Medicines for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine relieve pain, prevent inflammatory processes.
And in folk medicine there are many recipes for medicinal infusions, ointments that can help diagnose "osteochondrosis" (lumbar or polysegmental, code M 42 according to ICD-10). Folk medicine is applied externally or taken orally to reduce pain and inflammation.
However, it is known that drug therapy only stops the manifestations of the disease (pain relief), but is not enough to thoroughly defeat the disease, it does not eliminate the root cause of the disease. Complex rehabilitation measures are required for full treatment. Without them, the treatment is not effective and the results achieved are 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 exercise therapy (physiotherapeutic exercises), special gymnastics. A set of individual exercises should be selected by a doctor, and the appointment should be carried out under the guidance of a qualified trainer. If the patient has a pronounced problem with excess weight, then you need to follow a diet and increase daily physical activity. The complex of these measures can cure osteochondrosis.
Also, with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, it is advisable to do acupuncture.
Vitamin therapy for osteochondrosis
To cure the disease, an integrated approach is important. This treatment should include vitamins, which can often be taken at home.
B vitamins
They are prescribed at the initial stage of the disease to relieve painful symptoms. Often this is enough to cure osteochondrosis and eliminate pain.
In addition to the fact that B vitamins relieve pain, they can also be used to improve metabolic processes, restore immunity and sensitivity of tissues affected by the disease. They are used both in the form of injections (intramuscular or intravenous) and in tablet form.
B vitamins are found in:
- B1 (thiamine) - in cereals, 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, in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, they form an excellent background for the main treatment with drugs.
D vitamins
Doctors recommend using them in combination with calcium, since this combination has a beneficial effect on bones, giving them strength. But also the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, which are primarily affected by osteochondrosis, are strengthened with the help of group D vitamins. Most often, to cure the disease, experts prescribe vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or D2 (ergocalciferol).
The D vitamins are contained in:
- Cod;
- halibut;
- Milk;
- Egg yolk;
- 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 and phosphorus, and restores damaged tissues.
Vitamins A and E must be consumed "in tandem" - when absorbed from 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 cannot spread further.
Contained in animal and plant foods:
- carrot, parsley, spinach, green onion, sea buckthorn, wild rose, apricot, mountain ash, black currant, blueberry, strawberry, blueberry;
- Fish Oil, Liver, Milk.
vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) strengthens the body's defences. 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 additionally in ampoules for injection (you can do this at home). It contains rose hips, red (sweet) peppers, peas, strawberries, cabbage (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts), needles, tangerines, 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, the tension of which impedes movement. Water helps the entire spine to relax, eliminating muscle spasms while strengthening muscles.
- Acceleration of metabolic processes. The tissues of damaged and still normal discs receive the nutrients they need and begin to recover.
- Increase immunity. This is important to treat any disease.
- Regular swimming and bathing, and above all, exercises in the water, which will remove excess pounds from the body.
- Swimming leads to an improvement in the functioning of the heart and respiratory system and helps to create a positive attitude to cure osteochondrosis.
Exercises in water, swimming are recommended for both polysegmental osteochondrosis (code M 42 according to ICD-10) and osteochondrosis of any section of the spine.
If you engage in swimming and exercises in the pool while taking vitamins and other drugs, you can heal the affected discs, improve the general condition of the entire spine and eliminate pain.
Doctors recommend swimming treatment only in special pools. Of course, such treatment at home is usually not possible. But in the river, at sea, exercises are not recommended, since the current of water bodies can add additional stress to the spine.
When moving in the pool, patients must follow a few basic rules. Improper swimming and exercise can make pain worse:
- 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 cure osteochondrosis if you warm up before entering the pool. It can be simple exercises, massage. All this within a few minutes increases blood flow to the spine, preparing it for the procedure.
- Patients diagnosed with "lumbar (or polysegmental) osteochondrosis" should avoid sudden pelvic movements.
- You can visit the bath (recommended) at least twice a week, the optimal time for one session is 40-50 minutes.
- Special water exercises, swimming for men, as well as women with osteochondrosis should be recommended by a specialist in therapeutic exercises.
Therefore, if you have signs of osteochondrosis (either lumbar or polysegmental), in addition to home treatment (vitamins, medications), you should visit the pool or gym on the recommendation of a doctor. Doctors emphasize that only an integrated approach, patience and perseverance in overcoming the disease will bring positive results during its treatment.