Back pain often develops in people who are engaged in heavy physical labor or power sports. Such pain may be the first signal that it is worth considering a change of work or termination of sports. This is necessary because, while maintaining physical stress condition will worsen.

Reasons for a pinched nerve in the back

Pinched nerve in his back may occur at the level of the thoracic or lumbar spine. In the first case back hurts because of the infringement of the intercostal nerves (with intercostal neuralgia pain intensified towards the spine) in the second - in the infringement of spinal nerve roots extending from the lumbar spine and is manifested by severe pain called lumbago.

Intercostal neuralgia may be caused as changes of the spine (herniated disc against the background of osteochondrosis, scoliosis), and spasm of the intercostal muscles (in this case violated not only the nerves and blood vessels, which causes malnutrition affected area and aggravates the situation) the last reason is more common. This is due to the anatomical structure of the thoracic spine, in which less than in other parts of the developing low back pain.

In addition, pinching the back muscles can cause a very high physical activity (eg, athletes heavyweight), spinal injuries, post-operative scarring, the growing tumor.

As shown

Pinching the intercostal nerve pain manifests itself in the intercostal spaces, especially near the point of attachment of ribs to the spine. At this point, usually located and extremely painful points. The pains are very intense, burning in nature, they can be either permanent or paroxysmal. With any, even the slightest movement (including coughing and sneezing), the pain intensifies. For intercostal neuralgia is characterized as increased pain after prolonged immobility, such as after a nap Dreams: how to understand our dreams . Protective voltage intercostal muscles intensifies the pain.

Entrapment of spinal nerves at waist level is manifested in the form of lumbago or lumbalgia. Lumbago a condition called because the pain comes on suddenly and is very strong pungent character, because of which it is compared with a gunshot wound. Such pain may be concentrated only in the lumbar region, but it can give, and in the back. Thus there is a sudden sharp protective spasm of the back muscles and the patient freezes in the position in which he found the pain.

Keeps twinge from several minutes to several days, and then quickly passes, "as if someone turned off the pain." After the attack, there are only slight pain in the lumbar region. However, attacks can recur, sometimes very often, so the patient is subject to a thorough examination to determine the cause of the disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

In most cases, the diagnosis of a pinched nerve in the back there is no doubt, because it has very specific symptoms. But this is not enough to appoint proper, adequate treatment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the infringement - osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis - learn how to properly distribute the weight , Tumor, trauma, scar. For this first X-ray of the spine is held, and if that is not enough, then other methods of examination - magnetic resonance or computed tomography, myelography (x-ray with contrast medium).

Treatment starts with pain relief. To do this, appoint steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs - Voltaren Voltaren - relieve inflammation and pain Ibuprofen) in the form of injections, preparations for oral and external agents (ointments, creams, gels). NSAIDs have strong analgesic properties. With the same purpose appointed novocaine blockade - injection into the nerve exit site, that is the most painful point. You can remove the pain and using the physiotherapy treatments such as electrophoresis with analgesic drugs, UHF. Helps relieve pain reflexology sessions Reflexology - a policy of non-drug therapies .

The patient is assigned to bed rest, you are advised to lie on his back on a hard surface. The diet also need to follow certain recommendations: sharp, salty, smoked dishes, strong broths can cause a worsening of the disease.

After the acute effects will be appointed massage and physiotherapy, which initially carried out under the supervision of an experienced specialist, and then the patient is allowed to perform physical therapy exercises at home.

After a sharp pain in the back will be quite sick can be sent to a spa treatment.

Galina Romanenko

You have worrisome behavior or state of the memory of one of your elderly relatives? Your mother was lost in the city, it came for? Your father asked the same question more than once? Signs of Alzheimer's disease are not always pronounced, in any case, they are sometimes difficult to distinguish between changes in memory that just come with age.

To help you decide what you're actually dealing with, below you will find a description of the first manifestations of the disease, are worth paying attention to, as well as tips on what stage is access to specialists and how the disease is diagnosed.

Early signs of the disease, are worth paying attention to

It is often confused with Alzheimer's dementia. So what's the difference? Alzheimer's disease - a disease and acquired dementia symptoms is a group consisting of memory loss Loss of memory - not only in telenovelas , The ability to think and reason. However, dementia is not always a result of Alzheimer's disease. On this there can be other reasons.

While some memory problems may arise with age, the problems that interfere with a person to live a normal daily life with age are not connected. Common early signs of Alzheimer's disease or dementia are:

• Memory loss

A person suffering from dementia acquired, remembers events from the distant past, but it can be difficult to remember what happened just recently, some important dates or events, which will undoubtedly affect the daily life of the patient. Of course, everyone can forget some details of recent events or conversations, or remember them after a while. But people with dementia event with all the details can completely fall out of memory.

• Constant repetition

People suffering from dementia, can constantly repeating the same stories, sometimes word for word. They can ask the same questions, no matter how many times they've got the answers.

• Problems with speech

We all sometimes difficult to remember any words. People with dementia may experience serious problems with memory, even the simplest of words. It is distorted, so it is very difficult to understand the speaker.

• Changes in the nature of the patient

People suffering from dementia often occur mood swings Mood swings in women - bad character or a disease? . Change their emotional state: the periods of depressed state alternate bouts of aggression for no apparent reason. Sometimes these people become detached cease to do what is usually done, and what gives them pleasure before. It appears alien to them before suspicion of close friends or family members - but they can trust implicitly telephone sales agents.

• Disorientation and confusion

People with dementia may get lost in a place that is familiar to them, for example, in his own quarter. There may be difficulties in meeting simple and does not cause difficulties earlier tasks, such as cooking or shaving.

• Problems with personal hygiene

Sometimes it is the most obvious sign of Alzheimer's disease. But people previously carefully monitor their appearance, start wearing clothes stale or stop to take a shower.

• Strange behavior

All sometimes leave the keys at an unusual place for a long time looking for them later. But in people suffering from this disease develops a tendency to put things in completely inappropriate and strange places. Toothbrush they can put in the refrigerator and pack milk in the cupboard under the sink.

Do not panic if someone in your family you notice the above symptoms. Their presence does not mean that the person is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. But in any case, you must make an appointment to see a doctor to assess the patient's condition.

Unfortunately, there is no test by which to accurately determine the presence of Alzheimer's disease. In practice, several methods of diagnosis.

Diagnosis of the disease

In conjunction with the physical examination, blood tests and urine tests are also used:

• The test for mental state: the patient asked a series of questions that allow you to assess the capabilities of his mind.

Is checked short-term memory, the ability to follow the given instructions, as well as problem solving skills. Special tests are mini-mental state assessment test and a mini-test to assess cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease.

• Neurological tests: to determine the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are also checked the patient's neurological functions, such as the state of his speech, balance, coordination and reflexes work.
• Tests using images: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography to rule out other causes of symptoms - such as a tumor or previous stroke Stroke - a serious brain injury .

Your participation is very important. Physicians need basic information about the patient, so it is best to prepare in advance and gather information on the following issues.

• What kind of symptoms and when you start to notice it.
• How would you describe the overall health of your loved one.
• What kind of drugs the patient uses a daily basis, select and supplements Food additives - basic classification   and alternative treatment methods if they were used.
• If the patient adheres to a diet, you consume alcohol.
• It is necessary to recall all the major changes that occurred in the person's life, such as retirement, the recent change of residence, the death of a life partner.