Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease of the spine, which in case of complications can permanently worsen the quality of life.This pathology has become significantly "younger": various forms of the disease are more and more often found in young people.
Lumbar osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment with drugs
Osteochondrosis is the name of the deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilages and bones of the vertebral column.
Depending on the location, cervical, thoracic and lumbar (lumbosacral) osteochondrosis are distinguished.
The causes of the disease are quite diverse:
- walking upright;
- scoliosis;
- spine injuries;
- flat feet
- work that involves heavy lifting;
- frequent changes in body position;
- overloading the spine;
- staying in uncomfortable positions for a long time;
- obesity and low physical activity;
- poor nutrition accompanied by nutrient deficiencies;
- stress
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
- First of all, the disease makes itself felt through pain.the pain hurts
- There is a feeling of pain in the lower limbs, followed by numbness;
- due to discomfort, motor activity is significantly reduced;
- The pain worsens with heavy lifting, intense physical activity, sudden movement, and even sneezing/coughing.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
The neurologist makes a conclusion based on the patient's complaints.The doctor examines the spine in various positions, at rest/in motion.X-ray, CT or MRI should be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.According to the obtained results, the whole spectrum of treatment is prescribed: medicines, exercise therapy, massage, physiotherapeutic procedures.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with drugs
Medications should stop the acute process, relieve symptoms and partially restore the damaged intervertebral disc tissue.
Medicines used are classified according to their type of action:
- Painkillers - relieve acute pain;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - relieve swelling and inflammation;
- Muscle relaxants - relax spasmodic muscles;
- Glucocorticoid hormones - prescribed when other drugs have no effect;
- Chondroprotectors - stimulate cartilage regeneration;
- metabolism/blood flow accelerators;
- Minerals and vitamins - improve nerve conduction.
Treatment with drugs for exacerbation
Pain relief is most important during this period.Therapy begins with injections and then continues with tablets.It is very important to start treatment in time, because inflammation can block the vessels and nerves of the damaged part of the spine.
Analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain.Opioid analgesics are the most effective but have side effects.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are safer in this regard, so they are prescribed more often.
Both analgesics and NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins, substances that are involved in the inflammatory process and are 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 the pain.Muscle relaxants relax the muscles and therefore reduce the severity of the disease.
The dose is selected individually.This therapy continues for 2-3 weeks or until the symptoms disappear.
Blockade of pain
Blockade with anesthetics involves puncturing the damaged area.They can give injections of glucocorticoid drugs.The pain-relieving effect lasts up to 3 days.
Treatment with hormones
Glucocorticoid hormones have a strong anti-inflammatory effect.But they are used only if there is no effect from less aggressive drugs.Most often, complex drugs are prescribed, one of the components of which are hormones.Hormonal treatment is associated with a high risk of side effects, so it is prescribed as soon as possible.
Drugs for external use
In case of exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, various gels/ointments are used, which have warming and local heating effects.They can also be anti-inflammatory.Ointments and gels reduce the severity of disease symptoms.
Vasodilators - vasodilators
Muscle spasm and pain cause blood vessels to narrow.In order to exclude this phenomenon, a drug is prescribed that expands blood vessels and improves tissue trophism.
Treatment during remission
In case of 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 together with symptomatic therapy.However, osteochondrosis is not always acute;For example, when the chest region is affected, the disease progresses slowly and becomes chronic.Therefore, in some cases, treatment is carried out without strong drugs.
Chondroprotectors help restore the functions of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region.They saturate the cartilage tissue with useful substances and restore the elasticity of the discs.
Chondroprotectors stop the process of cartilage destruction and stabilize their condition.But you have to take such drugs for a long time, sometimes for life.The effect is seen at least six months after the start of therapy.Chondroprotectors are used both externally and internally, as well as in the form of injections.
These drugs are based on two active substances - glucosamine and chondroitin.The drug can contain one or both of these substances at the same time, and other active substances can also be added.
Examples of chondroprotectors:
- based on glucosamine;
- based on chondroitin;
- with glucosamine and chondroitin;
- with glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamins;
- Ampoules for injection.
Medicines to improve blood flow and metabolism
B vitamins, namely B1, B6 and B12, as well as ascorbic acid have a positive effect on the peripheral nervous system.Complex vitamin preparations can be prescribed.Vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed as general tonics.
A preventive course of such drugs will contribute to the health of the spine.To reduce the risk of exacerbation of the disease, 2-3 courses per year are enough.
Sedatives
Prolonged discomfort depresses a person and can lead to stress and even depression.Mother, valerian and combined herbal medicines are prescribed to prevent psycho-emotional deterioration.
If mental disorders are severe, antidepressants are used.Sleeping pills are prescribed to improve the quality of sleep.