Dystrophic changes in the bone and connective tissue of the spine are usually called osteochondrosis.The spine becomes able to cope with normal loads - and this is mainly 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 adults 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 provide good protection.
In this disease, the core of the spinal disc becomes thinner and dries out, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine becomes able to cope with normal loads - and this is mainly expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.However, with significant stress - 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, in case of pain, including:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, increasing when they are raised and reaching all the way to the finger;
- pain when bending over;
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis can be expressed in numbness - not only in the chest, but also in different parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis leads to speech disorders, and sometimes it causes flaky skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive disorders.
Pain with osteochondrosis of the breast can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes these are mild aches or dull aches 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 progresses, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the development of the disease, pain symptoms often manifest themselves in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements but the situation is getting worse.Often, lumbago begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, several hours of working at a computer in a static position.
A special feature of the "insidiousness" of osteochondrosis of the chest region is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other illnesses.It is very easy to confuse osteochondrosis of the chest with symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia, and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to renal or hepatic colic, and speech impairment and a feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with stroke symptoms.
Moreover, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors - which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.It is especially difficult to recognize osteochondrosis of the breast in the early stages - which is why it is often diagnosed when the disease has already developed and entered the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is crucial.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, significantly reducing the pain symptoms 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;
- spinal cord compression in the damaged area of the spine.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is expressed in scoliosis;sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical vertebrae and causes loss of voice.
In addition, an acute weakening of the spine in the thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.After that, all kinds of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, biliary tract - are more likely to occur.
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 made, including an 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 a diagnosis, the doctor can use the following methods for therapy:
- medications 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 intensity of pain.The main goal of treatment for breast osteochondrosis is to eliminate pain.At the same time, manual therapy and exercise therapy can "straighten" the spine, increasing the distance between the vertebrae and preventing compression.However, it is the duty of the patient to perform therapeutic exercises regularly - otherwise it will not give any result.
In some cases, especially severe, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis may be used.In such a case, the affected vertebrae are replaced with a prosthesis - practice shows that the operation is effective for about 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to health centers are recommended.In a sanatorium, the patient receives a complete complex therapy, which combines medication, physiotherapeutic methods and gymnastics - and for a long time he feels a significant improvement in his condition.
Folk remedies
In acute cases of the disease, it is recommended to treat thoracic osteochondrosis in an inpatient setting.But if the symptoms are not severe, there is no need to go to the hospital.In this situation, home care becomes crucial.It is not only possible, but also necessary to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies - 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, alleviating the symptoms of the disease.Therefore, when osteochondrosis is treated 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 significant effect.
Decoctions are brewed in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of medicinal plant is poured into a glass of hot water, infused and consumed 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, valerian - stress, inevitable during the disease, can further increase the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, 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 the inflamed discs of the spine, and eliminates inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubbing are not recommended for use during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during a lull in the disease.For example, rubbing with mustard-camphor ointment is popular - dilute 50 grams of mustard and camphor with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, stir until smooth.The ointment is applied to the back for two weeks at night - the top of the treated area must be covered with a woolen cloth.
What to do in a worse case?
What is considered an exacerbation of the disease?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels significant 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 in sitting positions as little as possible, where the burden remains on the spine;
- applying gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area, the effect is not too severe;
- gently massage yourself the affected areas - but avoid putting strong pressure;
- continue with physical therapy as much as possible - only if this is not the result of increased pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If unbearable 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 a maximum of rest - then the exacerbation can be dealt with quickly.