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 mainly expressed 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 cartilaginous tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine turns out to be unable 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, poor posture and back injuries - sooner or later osteochondrosis affects the thoracic region.The disease is considered very common: one in three adults suffers from it.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all in case of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic low back pain;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, which intensifies when they are raised and reaches the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending;
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis can manifest itself in numbness, not only in the chest, but also in various parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis leads to speech disorders, and sometimes it also causes peeling 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 appear in the late afternoon and disappear after physical activity, such as 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 low back pain.The pain is pronounced, sharp, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only aggravate the situation.Low back pain often begins after a long period of inactivity, for example after 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 under a dozen other ailments.Osteochondrosis of the chest is very easy to confuse with the symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to renal or hepatic colic, and speech disturbance and a feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with signs of a stroke.
Moreover, errors are made not only by patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors, which significantly 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 of paramount importance.This allows you to immediately start treatment and delay the development of the disease, significantly reducing the painful symptoms 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 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, it will most likely lead to all kinds 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 initial stages completely neutralize the symptoms of the disease.
How is the disease treated?
What methods are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis?First, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, including both examination of the patient by a specialist and tests 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, inspection and reflection;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- a special course of therapeutic exercises.
Almost all of the listed methods are aimed not at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Elimination of pain is the main goal of treatment of breast osteochondrosis.At the same time, manual therapy and physical therapy can “straighten” the spine, increasing the distance between the vertebrae and preventing compression.However, the patient is required to regularly perform therapeutic exercises, otherwise it will not give any results.
In some, particularly serious 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 for about 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to health centers are recommended.In a sanatorium, the patient receives a full-fledged complex therapy, combining drugs, 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 a hospital setting.But if the symptoms are not serious it is not necessary to go to hospital.In this case, home care becomes of fundamental importance.Treating 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 from 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 prepare instead of tea and drink for osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, birch leaves, strawberry leaves and ripe viburnum.Also, 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 spoonful of a medicinal plant is poured into a glass of hot water, infused and consumed 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: stress, inevitable in 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 the inflamed discs of the spine and eliminates inflammation.
The use of compresses, ointments and rubs during periods of acute pain is not recommended.However, they can be used during a break in the disease.For example, rubbing with mustard and camphor ointment is popular: 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, mixed until smooth.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 a flare-up?
What is considered an exacerbation of the disease?This term refers to intense pain.If the patient feels significant discomfort, familiar low back pain and dull pain in the chest area, radiating to the peritoneum, lower back and arms, then it's time to pay maximum attention to the disease.
During a flare-up it is recommended:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- stay as little as possible in stationary positions, in which the load on the spine remains;
- apply delicate compresses and ointments to the affected area that do not have too aggressive an effect;
- Gently massage the affected areas yourself, but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy as much as possible, but only if doing so does not result in increased pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If you experience unbearable pain, you may also need hospitalization.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 lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest, so the exacerbation can be dealt with quickly.