Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is rarely observed compared to the prevalence of diseases such as chondrosis of the lower back and neck. Osteochondrosis of the chest has certain signs and requires proper treatment, like any other condition.
The thoracic region is characterized by a particular 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 sudden movements, as is often the case with lumbar or cervical osteochondrosis, is not observed at all, while complications with suspicionsdevelopment of cardiovascular disease or respiratory function disorders become paramount.
The reasons
Chest osteochondrosis primarily begins to develop due to physical inactivity, that is, lack of stress on the muscles, which causes increased stress on 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;
- Received spinal injuries;
- Great stress and mental fatigue.
The intervertebral discs of the thoracic vertebrae are also affected both by an increased level of physical activity and by physical inactivity.
Symptoms
In the case of the development of osteochondrosis of the chest region, its symptoms are manifested quite noticeably. In such circumstances, treatment should be started immediately. The symptoms of the disease are:
- The presence of sharp pain in the thoracic spine, which occurs after a long stay in one position. The pain also appears in the case of sudden movements and lifting objects that have a lot of weight.
- There is pressure in the back and chest. Thoracic osteochondrosis causes difficulty in breathing - 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 nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord.
- If a person suffers from osteochondrosis of the chest region, he is unable to sharply turn the body or stretch his arm and raise it. All these actions are very painful.
- The presence of dull pain in the shoulder blades (most often between them).
- The feet are usually cold, because their blood supply is insufficient due to a violation of some bodily 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 breakdown in the functioning of other systems of the human body. Therefore, osteochondrosis is sometimes also manifested by such symptoms:
- The appearance of intercostal neuralgia;
- Burning sensation/itching 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, sharp and prolonged pain is appropriate, which appears in attacks. In case of exacerbation of the disease, the symptoms become extremely bright. At this time, the intervertebral discs are under great stress. In most cases, the patient is shown a hospital diet. In addition, 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 dorsalgia
Often there are signs of thoracic osteochondrosis such as vertebral syndromes, including: dorsalgia and dorsago.
Doraso is called sharp pain in the thoracic spine that comes on suddenly. As a rule, such a pathology is encountered by those who have to stay in one position for a long time, for example, sitting. Often it makes itself felt when a person gets up from the table after working for a long time in an unchanged body position. Dorsago's pain is sometimes unbearable. 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, it 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 the body to the sides or forward.
There is a tension of muscle tissues and, in addition, restrictions of movement in the lumbothoracic / cervical regions. As a rule, the pains become very strong in the evening, and in the morning all painful sensations pass on their own if you take a 10-minute walk.
What other pain syndromes exist in osteochondrosis of the chest region?
Such a disease may also have other pain syndromes that can complicate the correct diagnosis. Pain in the chest osteochondrosis in the region of the esophagus, pharynx and a feeling of "lump in the throat" appear if the disease has gone beyond the upper thoracic segment of the chest. Chondrosis affecting the mid-thoracic segment causes discomfort under the hypochondrium on the right side.
If the disease affects the lower chest region, pain is observed in the abdominal cavity, which is very similar to the sensations that occur with intestinal pathologies.
It should be noted that any relationship between the appearance of pain in osteochondrosis of the chest with the quality level of food consumed and human diet is not traceable. Moreover, the onset of pain has nothing to do with the time of year. But pain in osteochondrosis of the chest region can intensify closer to night and after heavy physical exertion. In the morning, as usual, any feelings of discomfort disappear or decrease.
Complications
Thoracic osteochondrosis is dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose. For a long time it is possible to treat angina or respiratory diseases without suspecting the presence of this unpleasant disease.
If we continue to talk about the complications caused by osteochondrosis of the chest region, then over time, developing, this disease can provoke the appearance of various problems affecting the internal organs.
The most common complication can be called a condition associated with the cardiovascular system. These problems arise due to irritation of the receptors in the chest and cervical regions.
Sometimes found:
- Disorders of the function of the duodenum;
- Disorders of the digestive tract;
- There is such a pathology as gallbladder dyskinesia.
Is it necessary to prove the importance of early initiation of treatment for thoracic osteochondrosis?
Diagnostic measures
The chest area should begin to be treated after a full examination of the patient. It involves the following procedures:
- The patient is examined and all his observations regarding the course of the disease are recorded. If the disease reaches stage 2-3, the skeleton is noticeably deformed. The doctor is obliged to take into account the medical history of the patient 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.
- X-ray 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.
- The discography will be an opportunity to examine the contours of the nucleus pulposus. This procedure uses contrast.
- CT. This study is used extremely rarely, since during this study the patient is heavily irradiated.
- Electrocardiography. 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 arranging the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest, it is necessary to understand why this disease arose in principle. In some people, chondrosis appeared due to an insufficiently mobile lifestyle, while others have already suffered injuries to the spine, and because of this, blood supply processes have been disrupted. Thus, the reasons why the development of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the chest region has become appropriate are many.
In any case, effective treatment of thoracic chondrosis is not only the use of drugs with an analgesic effect, designed to neutralize pain in the event of an exacerbation of the disease. In addition, it is necessary to identify the original cause of the disease. A serious attitude towards the treatment of this disease is necessary.
Also, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest region with the help of drugs should be combined with physiotherapy, remembering that minor loads are beneficial.
Treatment with drugs
To treat the disease during its exacerbation, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, to take drugs that are characterized by an analgesic effect and other drugs that are effective in the fight against this disease.
Relief from the pain syndrome is achieved by drugs at the initial stages of the development of the disease. Drugs in the form of tablets and injections of painkillers eliminate pain of moderate intensity. Painkillers are prescribed 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 on an individual basis. The doctor should take into account the characteristics of the organism and the course of the disease in the patient in each individual case. Thus, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest with drugs involves taking such drugs:
- Analgesics to eliminate sharp pains in the chest region, causing malfunctions in the respiratory system and causing a lot of discomfort during movement.
- Tablets that relieve muscle spasms.
- Preparations containing a large amount of B vitamins.
- Medicines 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 chest region should perform exercises that have a positive effect on the spine. A well-composed list of simple tasks will remove sharp pain. By the way, respiratory training with such a disease as chondrosis will also give its results and reduce the number of attacks. The following exercises are recommended:
- The plank is a good workout in the case of this disease, while it is advisable to do 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 often 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 chest region in osteochondrosis.
For the treatment of pathology, it is better to use exercise therapy and other methods of physiotherapy, and at the same time in a hospital under medical supervision. Such exercises do not cause any inconvenience, because the patient performs simple and effective manipulations in order to get rid of osteochondrosis of the chest region. Such therapy is one of the important elements for the prevention of the disease in people at risk.
Manual therapy
The help of a chiropractor in the form of massages for osteochondrosis of any part of the spine leads to 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 an excellent opportunity to normalize the systemic circulation in the intercostal space, to determine the appropriate tissue supply and to stimulate better blood oxygen saturation.
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.
Massage
Massage is a good therapy for osteochondrosis, even in the hospital, even at home. This procedure:
- Causes the elimination of hypertonicity of the back muscles;
- Helps strengthen the bodies of the intervertebral discs.
If the massage is part of a general therapy for osteochondrosis, then it can significantly speed up the time of complete recovery, if the patient's diagnosis is acute osteochondrosis of the chest region. As a rule, various therapeutic massages are recommended simultaneously with treatment by a chiropractor in combination with therapeutic physical activity.
What to do if the chest osteochondrosis is inflamed?
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis can cause physical overload (sports, hard work), hypothermia, severe stress or fatigue, lifting heavy objects.
In case of exacerbation of chondrosis, a person feels unbearable pain, which it is unrealistic to remove himself 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 so strong and can be endured, the use of painkillers is undesirable, as this will make it difficult for doctors to make a proper diagnosis. With osteochondrosis of the chest region, you cannot self-medicate - it is dangerous to health.
Often, chondrosis enters an acute phase after:
- stressful situations;
- Great physical exertion;
- Hypothermia.
In order to eliminate the process of exacerbation of osteochondrosis as soon as possible, you need to listen to such recommendations:
- The patient must respect bed rest (as far as possible, avoid any movement);
- It is better to go on a complete diet and eat well;
- The postures taken by the patient should not cause him to experience pain;
- It is necessary to take medication: painkillers and anti-muscle spasm drugs;
- It will not be superfluous to carry out physiotherapeutic manipulations;
- Exercise therapy is of great importance in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest region. Of course, all exercises should be performed with extreme caution.
Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis of different departments), you should consider the following tips:
- Do not sit still: join a swimming pool, organize morning jogs, warm up your muscles;
- If during a professional activity (for example, you work in an office) you are in a position, try to always align your back and relax your shoulders;
- Work in a seated position must be done exclusively on a chair that supports the spine;
- Buy an orthopedic pillow and mattress - so during sleep the spine will take the correct position;
- Do not carry a lot of weight and, if necessary, try not to lift them sharply;
- Pump your abdominal muscles;
- Your shoes should not cause discomfort when wearing;
- Compose your diet so that it includes as many useful microelements as possible and is fortified.
No one is immune to the appearance of such a disease as osteochondrosis of the chest. If you suddenly notice the presence of the first manifestations of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor - after all, it is easier to prevent osteochondrosis than to treat it a long time later.
If you follow all the above recommendations, the likelihood 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, it is worth organizing a break every hour and, if possible, warming up. Swimming is very effective in preventing osteochondrosis of the chest region. A balanced diet will not be superfluous.
It is worth doing daily exercises in the morning and playing sports in your free time for the purpose of prevention.
In essence, thoracic osteochondrosis poses no danger, but it leads to serious complications if you do not treat it. It is important to organize the treatment of osteochondrosis in a timely manner in order to avoid further problems with the spine in the future, because in our body all systems and organs are interconnected - remember this.
Every person wants to live without pain, not to limit themselves to anything due to the presence of diseases. Therefore, it is important to identify osteochondrosis in time and treat it if this problem still surprised you.
Many people who encountered osteochondrosis of the chest region, who responded to the disease at the right time and, having taken its treatment, have already forgotten what osteochondrosis is and its symptoms. Don't procrastinate either!
And even better, to prevent the onset of this disease. Just lead an active life!