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 primarily in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.
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 provided with 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 turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is expressed primarily in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed 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 thoracic 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 occurrence of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, intensifying when they are lifted and reaching all the way to the fingertips;
- 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 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 stabbing or dull pains that manifest themselves 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 manifest themselves in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only aggravate 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 thoracic region is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other ailments.Osteochondrosis of the chest is very easy to confuse 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 signs of a stroke.
Moreover, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors - which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages - which is why it is often diagnosed when the disease has already become pronounced and has entered the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamentally important.This allows you to begin treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, significantly reducing the pain symptoms that accompany 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:
- 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 loss of voice.
In addition, severe weakening of the spine in the thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.In turn, this will most likely lead to all sorts of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, biliary tract.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help to slow down 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 in the treatment of 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 make a 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 methods listed are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Elimination of pain is the main goal of treatment for breast osteochondrosis.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 is required to perform therapeutic exercises on a regular basis - otherwise it will not give any result.
In some, especially severe cases, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis may be used.In such a situation, the affected vertebrae are replaced with a prosthesis - practice shows that the operation is effective for approximately 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to health resorts are recommended.In a sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy, combining medication, physiotherapeutic and gymnastic methods - 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 an inpatient setting.But if the symptoms are not severe, it is not necessary to go to the hospital.In this case, home care becomes of fundamental importance.It is not only possible, but also necessary to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies - sometimes they show no less effectiveness than official medical procedures.
Home treatment is aimed at the same goal - quick relief of pain and inflammation, alleviation of symptoms of the disease.Therefore, when treating osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants that have a sedative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are used.
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 brewed in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of a medicinal plant is poured into a glass of hot water, infused and consumed internally two to three times a day.Along with taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of motherwort, lavender, valerian - stress, inevitable during the course of the disease, can further aggravate the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are used - for example, extracts of celandine, plantain, and pine needles have a calming and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood flow between inflamed discs of the spine, and removes 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 - 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, stirred 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 case of 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 in stationary positions as little as possible, in which the load on the spine remains;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area that do not have too harsh an effect;
- gently massage the affected areas yourself - but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy as much as possible - but only if this does not lead to 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, exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine a gentle 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.