Osteochondrosis is usually called dystrophic changes in the connective tissue of bone and spine.The spine cannot cope with the normal load - and this is manifested primarily in the manifestation of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.
The main symptoms of the disease
Osteochondrosis of the chest 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 provided with good protection.
During this disease, the core of the spinal disc becomes thin and dry, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine cannot cope with the normal load - and this is manifested primarily in the manifestation of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.However, with significant stress - a sedentary lifestyle, lifeless 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, in the presence of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain on the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, getting stronger when they are raised and reaching the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending;
In addition, osteochondrosis of the chest can be manifested by numbness - not only in the chest, but in different parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes speech disorders, and sometimes it causes peeling of the skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive disorders.
Pain in breast osteochondrosis can be manifested in different ways.Sometimes these are light stabbing or dull pains that appear in the late afternoon and disappear after physical activity - for example, after a short walk.This is usually the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply damaged.
In the later stages of the disease, pain symptoms are often manifested in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, prevents normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only aggravate the situation.Often, lumbago begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, several hours of static computer work.
The special "cunning" of osteochondrosis of the chest region is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other diseases.Osteochondrosis of the chest is very easy to confuse with the symptoms of pneumonia, angina pectoris, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to kidney or liver colic, and the loss of speech and the feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with the signs of a stroke.
Moreover, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors - which makes it very difficult to diagnose the disease.Osteochondrosis of the mammary gland is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages - that's why it is often diagnosed when the disease is already pronounced and has passed into a chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamentally important.This allows you to immediately start treatment and postpone the development of the disease, which will significantly reduce the pain associated with 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 neglected, it can lead to significant complications:
- appearance of chronic intercostal neuralgia;
- Thoracic hernia;
- Compression of the spinal cord in the affected area of the spine.
Advanced osteochondrosis of the spine is manifested by scoliosis;Sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical vertebrae and causes loss of voice.
In addition, a strong weakening of the spine in the chest can cause deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.In turn, this will probably cause all kinds of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Osteochondrosis of the chest requires careful treatment, which will help slow down the development of the disease for a long time, prevent complications - and completely neutralize the symptoms of the disease at the initial stage.
How is the disease treated?
What methods are used to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, both examination of the patient by a specialist and examinations using modern equipment.This allows you to make an accurate diagnosis and make sure that it is osteochondrosis and not another disease.
After making the diagnosis, the doctor can use the following therapy methods:
- Medicines 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 alleviating inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Elimination of pain is the main goal of treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast.At the same time, manual therapy and exercise therapy can "straighten" the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae and prevent compression.However, the patient is required to regularly perform therapeutic exercises - otherwise it will not bring any results.
In some, especially severe cases, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis can be used.In such a situation, the damaged vertebrae are replaced with a prosthesis - practice shows that the operation is effective for about 50% of patients.
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is recommended to go to spas regularly.In the sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy, which combines medicines, physical therapy and gymnastics - and for a long time feels a significant improvement in his condition.
Folk remedies
In acute cases of the disease, it is recommended to treat thoracic osteochondrosis in stationary conditions.But if the symptoms are not severe, there is no need to go to the hospital.In this case, housekeeping is of fundamental importance.Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not only possible, but also necessary - sometimes they show no less effectiveness than official medical procedures.
Treatment at home 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 plants and plants are used, which have soothing, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to be brewed and drunk instead of tea during osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, birch leaves, strawberry leaves and mature viburnum.In addition, these mixtures can be mixed together - an aromatic hot drink made from two or three different herbs gives a noticeable effect.
The decoction is brewed like tea - a tablespoon of medicinal plant is poured into a cup of hot water, boiled and taken internally two or three times a day.Along with taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of motherwort, lavender, valerian - the inevitable stress during the course of the disease can make the symptoms even worse.
In addition to medicinal decoction, baths with medicinal additives are 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 inflamed spinal discs, and relieves inflammation.
Compresses, ointments, and shin splints are not recommended for acute pain.However, they can be used when the disease is at rest.For example, rubbing with mustard-camphor ointment is popular - 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, stir until smooth.Apply the ointment on the back at night for two weeks - the upper part of the treated area should be covered with a woolen cloth.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
What is considered an exacerbation?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels noticeable discomfort, familiar lumbago and dull pain in the chest, radiating to the peritoneum, lower back and hands, then it's time to pay maximum attention to your disease.
During an exacerbation, it is recommended to:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- stay as little as possible in stationary positions in which the load remains on the spine;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area, which do not have a very harsh effect;
- Gently massage the affected areas yourself - but avoid strong pressure;
- Continue physical therapy as much as possible—but only if it doesn't cause pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If excruciating pain occurs, hospitalization may even be necessary.But in most cases, the exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine a gentle regimen with medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for exacerbation of osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be resolved quickly.