Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is observed infrequently, compared with the prevalence of diseases such as chondrosis of the lower back and neck. Osteochondrosis of the chest has certain signs and requires adequate therapy, like any other ailment.
The thoracic region is characterized by a special structure: it includes more discs than the lumbar and cervical regions in total, and its discs are smaller and very thin. The mobility of this department is very low, and most of the loads fall on the sternum and ribs.
The appearance of pain of varying degrees during heavy loads or with sudden movements, as is often the case with lumbar or cervical osteochondrosis, is not observed at all, while complications related to suspected development of cardiovascular diseases or functional disorders respiratory become paramount.
The reasons
Predominantly, osteochondrosis of the chest begins to develop due to physical inactivity, that is, a lack of tension in the muscles, which causes increased tension in the discs located between the vertebrae.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause the following conditions:
- The presence of bad habits;
- Scoliosis and uneven posture;
- hereditary factors;
- lack of mobility;
- Frequent intense physical activity;
- Spinal injuries received;
- Great stress and mental tension.
The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are equally affected by both a higher level of physical activity and physical inactivity.
Symptoms
In the case of the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, its symptoms manifest themselves quite noticeably. Treatment in such circumstances should be started immediately. The symptoms of the disease are:
- The presence of acute pain in the thoracic spine, which occurs after a long stay in one position. The pain also appears in case of sudden movements and lifting heavy objects.
- There is pressure both in the back and in the chest. Thoracic osteochondrosis causes shortness of breath: it becomes painful to inhale / exhale deeply.
- In the presence of chondrosis of the thoracic spine, there is such a symptom as numbness of certain areas of the body. This is appropriate due to damage to the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord.
- If a person has osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, then he cannot sharply turn the body or stretch his arm and lift it. All those actions are very painful.
- The presence of dull pain in the shoulder blades (more often between them).
- The feet are often cold because they do not have enough blood supply due to a violation of some body functions.
- There is a state of chills and "goosebumps".
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest are determined by the level of neglect of the disease. In addition, such a disease can lead to a failure in the functioning of other systems in the human body. Therefore, osteochondrosis sometimes also manifests itself in such symptoms:
- The appearance of intercostal neuralgia;
- Burning/itching sensation in the feet;
- Bloating, constipation or diarrhea, nausea/heartburn;
- Due to a violation of the function of blood vessels, the skin begins to peel off, and the nails become thin and brittle;
- There are difficulties in the work of the reproductive / reproductive systems;
- Sometimes there is a noticeable lack of oxygen.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, acute and prolonged pain, appearing in attacks, is appropriate. In case of an exacerbation of the disease, the symptoms become extremely bright. At this time, the intervertebral discs are subjected to great tension. In most cases, the patient is shown a hospital regimen. Also, a person has symptoms:
- pancreatitis;
- urolithiasis;
- cholecystitis
It is important to note that osteochondrosis of the chest does not cause either a decrease or an increase in body temperature.
Dorsago and back pain
There are often signs of thoracic osteochondrosis as vertebral syndromes, including: dorsalgia and dorsago.
Dorso refers to acute pain in the thoracic spine that occurs suddenly. As a rule, this pathology is faced by those who have to stay in the same position for a long time, for example, sitting. It often makes itself felt when a person gets up from the table after working for a long time in an unchanged body position. Dorsago pain is sometimes excruciating. It happens that the possibility of movement in the lumbothoracic/cervical region is limited.
As for back pain, the development of this syndrome does not occur immediately, but takes several weeks. Back pain is characterized by the presence of mild pain and discomfort in the part of the spine that is damaged. The pain increases if you take a deep breath and tilt your body to the side or forward.
There is tension in the muscular tissues and, in addition, there are restrictions in the movements in the lumbothoracic/cervical regions. As a rule, the pains become very strong at night, and in the morning all painful sensations go away by themselves if you walk for 10 minutes.
What other pain syndromes exist in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region?
Such an ailment can also have other pain syndromes that can complicate the correct diagnosis. Pain in thoracic osteochondrosis in the region of the esophagus, pharynx and the feeling of "a lump in the throat" appear if the disease has taken over the upper thoracic segment of the chest. Chondrosis affecting the middle thoracic segment causes discomfort below the hypochondrium on the right side.
If the disease affects the lower thoracic region, pain in the abdominal cavity is observed, which is very similar to the sensations that occur with intestinal pathologies.
It should be noted that no relationship can be traced between the occurrence of pain in osteochondrosis of the chest with the level of quality of food consumed and the human diet. Also, the onset of pain has nothing to do with the time of year. But the pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can intensify closer to the night and after heavy physical exertion. In the morning, as usual, any feeling of discomfort disappears or subsides.
complications
Thoracic osteochondrosis is dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose. For a long time, it is possible to treat angina pectoris or respiratory diseases without suspecting the presence of this unpleasant disease.
If we continue to talk about the complications caused by osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, then over time this disease can cause the appearance of various problems that affect the internal organs.
The most common complication can be called an ailment associated with the cardiovascular system. Such problems arise due to receptor irritation in the thoracic and cervical regions.
Sometimes observed:
- Disorders in the function of the duodenum;
- Disorders in the digestive tract;
- There is such a pathology as dyskinesia of the gallbladder.
Is it necessary to demonstrate the importance of timely initiation of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis?
diagnostic measures
The thoracic region should begin to be treated after a complete examination of the patient. It involves the following procedures:
- The patient is examined and all his observations on the course of the disease are recorded. If the disease reaches stage 2-3, the skeleton is noticeably deformed. The doctor is obliged to review the patient's medical history in order to exclude / confirm hereditary factors for the development of osteochondrosis of the chest.
- It is necessary to pass urine and blood for analysis.
- Radiography can be used to determine:
- Presence and size of osteophytes;
- Determine the height/contours of the intervertebral discs.
- Size/location of hernias;
- The presence of changes in the shape of the disk.
- Discography will provide an opportunity to consider the contours of the nucleus pulposus. This procedure uses contrast.
- computed tomographyThis study is used very rarely, since during this study the patient is strongly irradiated.
- Electrocardiograph. Since the symptoms of thoracic chondrosis are similar to those of ischemic heart disease, this research method is used to verify this diagnosis.
chest treatment
Before organizing the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest, it is necessary to understand why this disease appeared in the first place. In some people, chondrosis appeared due to an insufficiently mobile lifestyle, while others once suffered from spinal injuries, and because of this, the blood supply processes were disturbed. Therefore, the reasons why the development of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the thoracic region became appropriate are many.
In any case, effective therapy for thoracic chondrosis consists not only in the use of drugs that have an analgesic effect, designed to neutralize pain in case of exacerbation of the disease. In addition, it is required to identify the original cause of the disease. A serious attitude is required for the treatment of this disease.
Also, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region with the help of drugs should be combined with physiotherapy, remembering that minor loads are beneficial.
Medication treatment
To treat the disease during its exacerbation, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, take drugs characterized by an analgesic effect, and other drugs that are effective in combating this disease.
Relief of the pain syndrome is achieved with drugs in the initial stages of the development of the disease. Tablet drugs and analgesic injections eliminate pain of moderate strength. Analgesics are prescribed together with drugs that relieve inflammation, with drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
The selection of drugs, the intake of which is necessary for the regeneration of bone tissue, is carried out individually. The doctor must take into account the characteristics of the organism and the course of the disease in the patient in each individual case. Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest through drugs involves taking these drugs:
- Analgesics to eliminate acute pain in the thoracic region, which causes malfunctions in the respiratory system and causes a lot of discomfort during movement.
- Tablets that relieve muscle spasms.
- Preparations containing a large amount of B vitamins.
- Drugs of natural origin to preserve fluid in the intervertebral discs, which have spread to osteochondrosis.
effective exercises
People who are faced with the problem of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region should perform exercises that have a positive effect on the spine. A well-composed list of simple tasks will eliminate the acute pain. By the way, breathing training with such an ailment as chondrosis will also give its results and reduce the number of attacks. The following exercises are recommended:
- The plank is a good exercise in the case of this disease, it is recommended to perform this exercise for no more than 1. 5 minutes with a gradual increase in the load on the thoracic spine.
- Hanging from the horizontal bar should be as frequent as possible, followed by adding time to the duration of the exercise.
- In the "plank" position, in turn, you need to press your knees to your chest and hold them in this position for several seconds. Such a preventive measure is useful for the joints and reduces stress on the thoracic region in osteochondrosis.
For the treatment of pathology, it is best to use exercise therapy and other methods of physiotherapy, and at the same time to be in a hospital under medical supervision. Such exercises do not cause any inconvenience, since the patient performs simple and effective manipulations to eliminate osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Such therapy is one of the important elements for the prevention of the disease in people who are at risk.
Manual therapy
The help of a chiropractor in the form of massage for osteochondrosis of any part of the spine causes greater efficiency and significantly improves the patient's well-being. Such treatment:
- Prevents pain during back pain;
- Reduces tension in muscle tissue.
In addition, manual therapy is a great opportunity to normalize the systemic circulation in the intercostal space, determine the proper nutrition of the tissues and stimulate better oxygen saturation in the blood.
In the case of pectalgia (this is also one of the types of pain syndrome), such therapy is also used, but only as prescribed by the doctor.
massages
Massage is a good therapy for osteochondrosis, even in a hospital, even at home. This procedure:
- Causes the elimination of hypertonicity of the back muscles;
- Helps strengthen the bodies of the intervertebral discs.
If massage is part of a general therapy against osteochondrosis, then it can significantly bring the time of full recovery closer, if the patient's diagnosis is acute osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Various therapeutic massages, as a rule, are recommended simultaneously with the treatment of a chiropractor in combination with therapeutic physical activity.
What to do if thoracic osteochondrosis is inflamed?
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis can lead to physical overload (sports, hard work), hypothermia, severe stress or fatigue, heavy lifting.
In the case of an exacerbation of chondrosis, a person feels excruciating pain, which is unrealistic to eliminate only at home with the help of painkillers. For this reason, in such cases it is necessary to call an ambulance.
If the pain is not that strong and can be endured, then the use of analgesics is not desirable, as this will complicate the doctors' task in making a proper diagnosis. With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, you can not self-medicate, it is dangerous for health.
Often chondrosis enters an acute stage after:
- stressful situations;
- Great physical effort;
- Hypothermia.
In order to eliminate the process of exacerbation of osteochondrosis as quickly as possible, you need to listen to these recommendations:
- The patient must adhere to bed rest (as far as possible, avoid any movement);
- It is best to follow a complete diet and eat well;
- The postures that the patient adopts should not provoke the appearance of pain in him;
- It is necessary to take medications: painkillers and drugs to eliminate muscle spasms;
- It will not be superfluous to carry out physiotherapeutic manipulations;
- Exercise therapy is of great importance in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Of course, all exercises must be performed with extreme caution.
Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis of different departments), you should pay attention to the following tips:
- Do not sit still: sign up for a pool, organize morning jogs, warm up your muscles;
- If during work activity (for example, you work in an office), you are in one position, always try to align your back and relax your shoulders;
- Sitting work should be done exclusively on a chair that supports the spine;
- Buy an orthopedic pillow and mattress, so that during sleep the spine takes the correct position;
- Do not carry a lot of weight and, if necessary, try not to lift it sharply;
- Pump up your abdominal muscles;
- Your shoes should not cause discomfort while you wear them;
- Make your diet in such a way that it includes as many useful trace elements as possible and is fortified.
No one is protected from the occurrence of such an ailment as osteochondrosis of the chest. If you suddenly notice the presence of the first manifestations of the disease, you should immediately visit a doctor; after all, it is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it for a long time.
If you follow all the above recommendations, the probability of encountering this disease is minimal.
Additional Tips
It is clear that in order to avoid any problems with the spine, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations related to a healthy lifestyle.
If your work is sedentary, then every hour it is worth organizing a break and, if possible, warming up. Very effective in the prevention of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is swimming. A balanced diet will not be superfluous.
Daily it is worth doing exercises in the morning and playing sports in your spare time for prevention purposes.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is essentially harmless, but has serious complications if left untreated. It is important to organize the treatment of osteochondrosis in a timely manner in order to avoid other problems with the spine in the future, because in our body all systems and organs are interconnected; remember this.
Each person wants to live without pain, not to be limited in anything due to the presence of some disease. Therefore, it is important to identify osteochondrosis in time and treat it if this problem still caught you by surprise.
Many people who have encountered osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, who have responded to the disease at the right time, and having started its treatment, have already forgotten what osteochondrosis is and what symptoms it has. Don't procrastinate either!
And better yet, to prevent the onset of this disease. Just lead an active lifestyle!