What is spinal osteoporosis?
Speaking about this disease, which also has another name - “rarefied bones”, it should be noted that this is a fairly common severe pathology. When it occurs, the destruction of bone mass, which is ahead of its production. The bone structure is not different from the usual.
Pathology is accompanied by such phenomena.
- decrease in the content of calcium salts in the bones,
- bone volume reduction
- demineralization (dystrophic transformations in all bones),
- bone loss
- the appearance of general weakness of the body.
Not only one organ suffers from osteoporosis, but the entire bone apparatus of a person. Judging by the statistics, this disease is present in almost two hundred million people on earth. Among non-communicable diseases, this is in fourth place. Cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are ahead of her.
About spinal steoporosis - metabolic disorders in the vertebral system. This disease is extremely dangerous for its complications, in particular, increased susceptibility to fractures, which can happen even as a result of elementary movements of the body, a little physical exertion. Fracture of the vertebral body causes:
- pain syndrome,
- dysfunction of the spinal column ,
- disability.
Spinal osteoporosis is most common in women:
- fragile physique,
- in the period after menopause,
- with premature menopause.
Susceptible to this disease and
- smoking people
- alcohol abusers
- taking corticosteroids, antibiotics,
- patients staying on prolonged bed rest,
- paralyzed.
Also, thin people are more prone to developing osteoporosis. The reason is the lack of estrogens, which in humans are produced in sufficient quantities. The disease is considered irreversible. Flowing painlessly, it progresses.
But transient (transient) osteoporosis of the hip joint is treatable.
Osteoporosis of the spine - symptoms
- Pronounced pain in the sacral region and lower back. Pain can often occur in the area of ​​the hip joints, as well as in the chest. Being short at first, the pain intensifies as the disease progresses, becoming longer. Fractures of the rib or vertebra cause the most severe and severe pain.
- Pain on palpation and palpation, tapping of the corresponding spine.
- Strong tension of the vertebral muscles.
- Explicit changes in posture. Stoop, hump.
It is the human spine that is subject to the greatest physical exertion, therefore spinal osteoporosis is so common. To identify this pathology, radiography is used, performed at least in two projections. Computed tomography of the spine may also be prescribed.
Prevention of osteoporosis of the spine
I. It consists in eliminating the causes (if possible) that contribute to the progress of demineralization.
II. Drug therapy using three groups of drugs that are aimed at:
- inhibition of bone resorption - its resorption,
- stimulation of bone formation,
- and multidimensional drugs.
There are many such drugs, but all of them can only help slow down the development of pathology, but they cannot reverse the process.
III. Considerable importance is given to a balanced diet.
Unfortunately, far from always listed methods of prevention can prevent the occurrence of fractures. Verterboplasty is the only non-alternative method that allows the patient to provide a more or less normal quality of life. This is an operation to fix the vertebrae and eliminate the pain caused by a fracture.