Common diseases that do not really exist

Some of the usual diagnoses are long gone in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Our doctors often do not just put them in the old fashion, but they also treat them, and even with great zeal. What are these diseases? And how are they diagnosed in the West and in Russia? DISBACTERIOSIS
This term denotes a violation of the intestinal microflora, a bacterial imbalance, often against the background of taking antibiotics. It is believed that this condition should be treated with probiotics, designed to colonize the intestines with a colony of "friendly" bacteria. In fact, under favorable conditions, the body is able to cope with this task independently. In addition, the big question is what is considered a violation of microflora: in the intestine, there are about 500 species of bacteria in complex symbiotic relationships: some control the functions of the intestinal epithelium, others promote the production of vitamins, others modulate immunity ... There are also conditionally pathogenic ones named so precisely because they are not unique enemies.

WHY
To find out that there is a norm is very difficult, considering that for each individual it has its own. Therefore, a real need for treating dysbacteriosis arises quite rarely: for example, when it is manifested by life-threatening infections (a vivid example is pseudomembranous colitis). In all other cases, it is worth remembering the lability of the intestinal microflora, especially in children, and do not spend money on unnecessary medications.

VEGETA-VASCULAR DYSTONY (VSD)
Years ago, such a diagnosis was very popular - under him "signed" all the ailments, which at that time had no objective explanation. However, with the development of medicine, this term has practically disappeared from the practice of Western doctors. But in the post-Soviet space has taken root. In our outpatient clinics we are still diagnosed with "VSD". And it combines so many different symptoms (lowering and increasing pressure, circulatory disorders, thermoregulation, palpitation, etc.) that it's time to think: is it really the same illness?

WHY
The term "dystonia" means "unstable state", that is, it is not really a disease, but a complex of symptoms. A disease is something that has clearly described manifestations. For example, today, high blood pressure is already seen as a syndrome that can accompany various ailments, and not as an essential hypertension. Western equivalents VSD much: somatomorphic vegetative dysfunction of the heart and cardiovascular system, neurocirculatory dystonia or asthenia, psycho-vegetative syndrome, vegetoneurosis. How is all this being treated? Advanced doctors give preventive recommendations on nutrition, lifestyle, physical education and ... advise to undergo psychotherapy. And this is not without sense, because our state of health is very influenced by stressors. By the way, it is much cheaper to be treated for depression than to endlessly examine the body, finding out why it bothers one or the other.

OSTEOCHONDROSIS
At us it is problems with a back from which all are treated, to whom for 50. In the West, according to the IBC, osteochondrosis means a fairly rare joint disease in children and adolescents. And "our" osteochondrosis there is denoted by the term "degenerative-dystrophic changes of the spine". Emphasis on the word "changes" - as it is a question of natural age processes developing from a certain point in almost all people. Over time, any organism wears out, and one of the first processes associated with its aging (involution) is changes in intervertebral discs.

WHY
What is natural, does not require treatment. It is necessary only in some cases: if there is a conflict between the structure of the skeleton and the nervous tissues, that is, if the worn vertebrae affect the nerve endings, irritating them and provoking painful sensations. Doctors call this condition an osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome and prescribe anti-inflammatory and anesthetic drugs.

CERVICAL EROSION
Both our and Western specialists know about erosion. However, it means different things under it. If in Europe and America this functional condition of the inner epithelium of the cervix, which differs from the outer one in color and texture, in most cases does not require treatment - then the term "erosion" combines any visual changes in the epithelial cover of the vaginal part of the cervix.

WHY
Isolate true erosion - damage to the epithelium of the cervix due to trauma, infection or under the influence of hormones, and ectopic cylindrical epithelium - a variant of the physiological norm in young women. It is believed that the latter can disappear on its own, so it does not need treatment. However, it, like any other pathology of the cervix, requires observation: cytological examination and colposcopy once a year. All over the world, this is the basis for the prevention of cervical cancer.

HORN DISK
In the classification of domestic medicine is considered one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis of the spine. However, the hernia is also detected in young healthy people (in 30% of cases), and accidentally, when there are no clinical manifestations and the person does not even suspect about it. This circumstance was discovered by American and European doctors, examining a group of volunteers without back pain. Of course, such people should not be treated. However, in some patients, because of anatomical or professional features, a hernia can conflict with nervous structures, causing pain. Then we correct this specific situation, but do not rush to the operation. There are statistics: in 88% of cases the hernia of the disc passes itself without any therapeutic effects. These are the data of Japanese scientists who have observed such patients for two years, every three months doing an MRI. By the way, those hernias that traditionally operate with us decreased and disappeared!

WHY
In most cases, you can manage conservative treatment, and even completely without it, taking preventive measures. And the best prevention is considered an active way of life and regular exercise. This slows down the natural aging process and produces compensatory mechanisms: it strengthens the muscles that support the spinal discs.

AVITAMINOSIS
We are ready to explain with avitaminosis any problems with the state of health and appearance, especially arising at the seam of seasons. It is assumed that to cope with a lack of vitamins or sunlight will help to take a vitamin-mineral complex from the pharmacy.

WHY
Avitaminosis, that is, the absence of a vitamin in the body, is very rare today, and it is very dangerous: for example, if there is no vitamin C, scurvy develops, vitamin B - beriberi disease, vitamin D - rickets (in children) . Where is more likely a deficiency of vitamins - hypovitaminosis. This condition can manifest itself in different ways (brittle nails, dry skin, etc.). It is not treated, but corrected, and not necessarily by taking tablets. After all, the lack of vitamins or trace elements is often associated with the current chronic conditions of the body: if there is a disease of the small intestine - vitamins and iron are not absorbed. With dysfunction of parathyroid glands, calcium and phosphorus metabolism is disrupted. To understand what caused the problem, and also to eliminate it, only a specialist can.

SALT DEPOSITS
In the international registry there is no such disease. However, according to neurosurgeons, we have this concept is also considered obsolete. In fact, no salts are delayed - this is also a compensatory process, one of the manifestations of degenerative changes in the spine. In this case, the intervertebral disc wears out and sags. The bodies of the vertebrae converge, and on their margins are formed bony outgrowths (marginal bony growths, or osteophytes). They increase the area of ​​contact of neighboring vertebrae - this is the body's response to disc wear. It is hoped that such formations can be "smashed" with the help of massage or ultrasound, at least naive.

WHY
If they do not interfere, it is better not to do anything. But it also happens that, growing to the side of the spinal canal, these growths come into contact with the nerve roots passing there, causing painful sensations. In this case, it is necessary to have targeted medical treatment, physiotherapy, special gymnastics.

MIKOPLASMOSIS AND UREAPLASMOSIS
The attitude towards these microorganisms changed over time. For many years, mycoplasma hominis and ureaplasma (Ureaplasma spp.) Have been referred to sexually transmitted infections and prescribes compulsory treatment.

WHY
Now it is already known that this is a conditionally pathogenic microflora, therefore, in world practice they limit themselves to observation. Treatment is not conducted if there are no complaints, clinical manifestations and laboratory signs of the inflammatory process, and no pregnancy is planned in the coming year. Our specialists, in the majority, insist on compulsory treatment of these infections. By the way, in about 3% of cases, it is possible to simply carry them.