Osteochondrosis is usually called dystrophic changes in the bone and connective tissue of the spine.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is expressed above all in the appearance of pain, which is vague at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.
Main symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that usually manifests itself 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 provided with good protection.
In this disease, the core of the spinal disc thins and dries up, the fibrous tissue around it begins to break down, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is expressed above all in the appearance of pain, which is vague at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.However, with significant stress - a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, constant stress, poor posture and back injuries - sooner or later osteochondrosis affects the chest area.The disease is considered very common - every third adult suffers from it.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, at the onset of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, worse on lifting and reaching to the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending over;
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis can be expressed in numbness - not only in the chest, but also in various parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis leads to speech disorders, and sometimes even to flaky skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive disorders.
Pain in osteochondrosis of the breast can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes these are mild stabbing or dull pains that appear in the late afternoon and disappear after physical activity - for example, a short walk.This is usually how the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the development of the disease, pain symptoms often appear in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, sharp, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only worsen the situation.Often, lumbago begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, several hours of working at a computer in a static position.
A special "insidiousness" of osteochondrosis of the chest is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other diseases.Osteochondrosis of the chest is very easy to confuse with symptoms of pneumonia, angina pectoris, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to renal or hepatic colic, and the speech disorder and the feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with signs of a stroke.
In addition, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors - which significantly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is particularly difficult to recognize in the early stages - therefore it is often diagnosed when the disease has already become pronounced and has entered a chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is of primary importance.This allows you to immediately start treatment and slow down the development of the disease, significantly reducing the pain symptoms that accompany the disease.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis of the chest does not pose a direct threat to the patient's life.However, if neglected, it can lead to significant complications:
- the appearance of chronic intercostal neuralgia;
- thoracic hernia;
- compression of the spinal cord in the damaged 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 thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.This, in turn, will most likely lead to all kinds of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help delay the development of the disease for a long time, prevent complications - and in the early stages completely neutralize the symptoms of the disease.
How is the disease treated?
What methods are used to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, including both an examination of the patient by a specialist and examinations using modern equipment.This allows you to accurately diagnose and make sure that it is osteochondrosis and not another disease.
After making the diagnosis, the doctor can use the following methods of treatment:
- drugs aimed at relieving pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- a special course of therapeutic exercises.
Almost all of the listed methods are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Pain relief is the main goal of treatment for osteochondrosis of the breast.At the same time, manual therapy and exercise therapy can "straighten" the spine, increasing the distance between the vertebrae and preventing compression.However, the patient must regularly perform therapeutic exercises - otherwise it will not give any result.
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 approximately 50% of patients.
Regular trips to resorts are recommended for thoracic osteochondrosis.In the sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy, combining medication, physiotherapy and gymnastic methods - and for a long time he feels a significant improvement in his condition.
People's funds
In acute cases of the disease, inpatient treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is recommended.But if the symptoms are not severe, there is no need to go to the hospital.In this case, home care becomes essential.Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not only possible, but also necessary - sometimes they show no less effectiveness than official medical procedures.
Home treatment is aimed at the same goal - quick relief of pain and inflammation, relief of symptoms of the disease.Therefore, in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants are used, which have a sedative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to be brewed instead of tea and drunk for osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, birch leaves, strawberry leaves and ripe 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 - one tablespoon of the medicinal plant is poured with a glass of hot water, insisted and taken internally two to three times a day.Along with taking pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of motherwort, lavender, valerian - the stress inevitable during the disease can further worsen the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are used - for example, extracts of celandine, plantain, 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 friction are not recommended for use during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during remission of the disease.For example, rubs with mustard-camphor ointment are popular - 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, mixed until homogenous.The ointment is applied to the back for two weeks at night - the upper part of the treated area should be covered with a woolen cloth.
What to do in case of an exacerbation?
What is considered an exacerbation of the disease?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels noticeable discomfort, familiar lumbago and dull pain in the chest area radiating to the peritoneum, lower back and arms, then it is time to pay maximum attention to your disease.
During an exacerbation, it is recommended:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- stay as little as possible in stationary positions where the load on the spine remains;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area, which do not have an overly harsh effect;
- gently massage the affected areas yourself – but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue the physical therapy as much as possible - but only if it does not cause the pain to increase.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If unbearable pain occurs, hospitalization may even be required.But in most cases, exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine a sparing regimen with taking medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for exacerbation of osteochondrosis is the lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be dealt with quickly.