Osteochondrosis is usually referred to as dystrophic changes in the bone and connective tissue of the spine.It turns out that the spine cannot cope with normal loads - and this is primarily expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.
The main symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that usually appears in adulthood and does not fully manifest itself for a long time.This is due to the fact that the thoracic spine is naturally supported and fixed by the ribs - therefore the intervertebral discs are well protected.
In this disease, the core of the disc becomes thin and dry, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.It turns out that the spine cannot cope with normal loads - and this is primarily expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.However, in case of significant stress - a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, constant stress, bad posture and back injuries - sooner or later osteochondrosis affects the chest region.The disease is considered very common - every third adult suffers from it.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, when pain occurs, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, which is worse when raised, and extends to the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending;
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis can be expressed in numbness - not only in the chest, but also in different parts of the body.Osteochondrosis sometimes leads to speech disorders, and sometimes even causes skin redness, brittle nails, itchy skin and indigestion.
Pain associated with osteochondrosis of the breast can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes these are mild stabbing or dull pains that occur in the late afternoon and disappear after physical activity, such as a short walk.This is usually how the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis occurs, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the disease, pain symptoms often appear in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only aggravate the situation.Lumbago often begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, after working on a computer for several hours in a static position.
The peculiar "sleepiness" of osteochondrosis of the chest region is that the disease skillfully disguises itself as dozens of other diseases.Thoracic osteochondrosis is very easily confused with symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to kidney or liver colic, and speech impairment and a feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with signs of cerebral hemorrhage.
Moreover, it is not only the patients themselves who make mistakes, but also experienced doctors - which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages - therefore, it is often diagnosed when the disease has already become pronounced and entered a chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is essential.This makes it possible to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, significantly reducing the symptoms of pain accompanying the disease.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine does not pose a direct threat to the patient's life.However, if ignored, it can lead to significant complications:
- appearance of chronic intercostal neuralgia;
- thoracic hernia;
- compression of the spinal cord in the injured area of the spine.
Advanced osteochondrosis of the spine is expressed in scoliosis;sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical vertebrae and causes voice loss.
In addition, severe weakening of the spine in the chest region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.This, in turn, most likely leads to all kinds of disorders of the digestive system - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which helps to slow down the development of the disease for a long time, prevent complications - and completely neutralizes the symptoms of the disease in the early stages.
How is the disease treated?
What methods are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, a thorough diagnosis should be carried out, which includes the examination of the patient by a specialist and examinations with modern equipment.This will allow you to accurately diagnose and make sure that this is osteochondrosis and not another disease.
After establishing the diagnosis, the doctor can use the following therapeutic methods:
- medicines to relieve pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- special therapeutic exercises.
Almost all of the listed methods are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at alleviating inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Eliminating pain is the main goal of treating osteochondrosis of the breast.At the same time, manual therapy and movement therapy "straighten" the spine, increasing the distance between the vertebrae and preventing compression.However, the patient must perform therapeutic exercises regularly - otherwise it will not produce results.
In some, particularly severe cases, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis can be used.In such a situation, the affected vertebrae are replaced with a prosthesis - practice shows that the operation is effective in about 50% of patients.
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, regular health resorts are recommended.In the sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy, which combines drug treatment, physiotherapy and gymnastics methods - and feels a significant improvement in his condition for a long time.
Folk remedies
Inpatient treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is recommended in acute cases of the disease.But if the symptoms are not serious, it is not necessary to go to the hospital.In this case, home care becomes essential.It is not only possible, but also necessary to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies - sometimes they are no less effective than official medical procedures.
Home treatment serves the same purpose - quick relief of pain and inflammation, relief of symptoms of the disease.Therefore, in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, poultices and infusions of herbs and plants are used, which have a soothing, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to cook and drink instead of tea for osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, birch leaf, strawberry leaf and mature viburnum.In addition, these mixtures can be mixed with each other - an aromatic hot drink made from two or three different herbs gives a noticeable effect.
Decoctions are prepared in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of herbs is poured into a glass of hot water, an infusion is given and taken internally two or three times a day.In addition to taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of motherwort, lavender, and valerian root - the inevitable stress during the disease can further aggravate the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are also used - for example, extracts of celandine, plantain and pine needles have a soothing and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood flow between the inflamed discs of the spine, and removes inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubbing are not recommended during acute pain.However, they can be used during the break of the disease.For example, mustard-camphor ointment is popular - 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 ml of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white and mixed until smooth.The ointment is applied to the back at night for two weeks - the top of the treated area should be covered with a woolen cloth.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
What is considered an exacerbation of the disease?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels a noticeable discomfort, familiar lumbago and dull pain in the chest, which radiates to the abdomen, lower back and arms, then it is time to pay maximum attention to his disease.
Recommended during exacerbation:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- stay as little as possible in a standing position, in which the load on the spine remains;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area, which do not have too harsh an effect;
- gently massage the affected areas, but avoid strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy if possible - but only if it does not lead to increased pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If unbearable pain occurs, hospitalization may be necessary.But in most cases, the exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine gentle treatment with medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for worsening osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be treated quickly.