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Spondylosis is a degeneration of the spine, intervertebral joints and ligaments that may appear with age. Spondylosis can occur in all parts of the spine.
Degeneration of the spine, or spondylosis
Spondylosis is a syndrome of degeneration of the spine that affects the intervertebral joints, ligaments, intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies. Changes appear with age, and the vast majority of people suffer from them after the age of 65. After the first pathologies appear, they cannot be reversed, however, timely diagnosis helps to slow down the development of the disease. Early symptoms they can appear at a young age. Spondylosis can be both cervical, pectoraland the lumbar region. However, most often it concerns the lumbar region. The disease consists of the formation of growths – an overgrowth of the bones in the vertebrae or an overgrowth of ligaments, accompanied by severe pain and reduced mobility. Each patient’s pathology has an individual form, it can develop faster or slower, and have different symptoms. Treatment mainly consists in slowing down the development of the disease.
Spondylosis – causes
The reasons spondylozy should be sought in the natural processes of aging and tissue wear (dehydration). With age, the amount of glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin, which are responsible for healthy bones, decrease in the body. The cartilage in the joints, due to wear and tear, leads to friction between the bones, inflammation and, consequently, the superstructure of growths called spurs. However, other health and environmental factors also influence the onset of the disease. Spondylosis may appear as a result of:
- static and dynamic overloads of the spine,
- previous injuries and micro-injuries of the spine,
- hormonal disorders of the body,
- work that requires an unnatural posture,
- physical inactivity,
- posture defects,
- obesity,
- post-inflammatory changes,
- accompanying diseases (scoliosis, rickets, osteomalacia, dysplasia).
Cervical spondylosis – symptoms
Cervical spondylosis manifested primarily by frequent headaches in the occipital area, which sometimes radiate through the shoulder and arm to the elbow. It is accompanied by dizziness and imbalance. In addition, with degeneration cervical there may be paresis of the upper limbs, nystagmus, disturbances in the mobility of the neck.
Lumbar spondylosis – symptoms
Lumbar spondylosis is the most common form of this condition. The lumbar spine is particularly prone to degenerative changes. Down symptoms spondylozy there are also severe pains. They radiate from the loins to the buttocks, thighs and knees. The disease is also accompanied by stiffness, decreased motor activity and pain in the back of the legs.
Thoracic spondylosis – symptoms
Thoracic spondylosis also characterized by radiating pain. The range of movements is significantly limited, intercostal neuralgia appears. As with degeneration of other parts of the spine, the patient feels stiff in the back, and there may also be abnormalities in sensation (due to pressure on the spinal cord).
Spondylosis – diagnosis
In the early stages of the disease spondylosis it is very difficult to detect. Despite the fact that the first signs of the disease may appear at a young age, the problems become apparent even several dozen years later. In diagnostics spondylozy X-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are used. The doctor can determine the severity of the disease and the exact place of its occurrence. The diagnosis is accompanied by an interview with the patient, as well as a blood test, which is aimed at excluding other diseases with similar symptoms.
Spondylosis – treatment
Treatment this ailment mainly consists in slowing down its development. Unfortunately, the changes that have taken place in the spine are irreversible. During treatment a lot of emphasis is also placed on prophylaxis – the role of physical activity, diet, adequate hydration and maintenance of a healthy body weight. While treatment exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, neck and buttocks are recommended. It is worth taking care of several minutes of rest during the day in a lying position, especially when our work requires a constant, unnatural (e.g. sitting) position. Treatment it also includes pharmacotherapy – drugs that affect the reconstruction of articular cartilage, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants. By spondylozie Rehabilitation, massage, systematic gymnastics adapted to the disease are also helpful. It is also worth lubricating your body with poplar liniment against overload, which warms up the muscles and works well in the case of degenerative changes in the joints.
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