Osteochondrosis is usually understood as dystrophic changes in the bone and connective tissue of the spine.It turns out that the spine cannot cope with normal loads - and this is primarily expressed in the appearance of pain, which initially appears vague, but becomes more and more intense over time.
Main symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that usually occurs in adulthood and only fully manifests itself after a long period of time.This is because the thoracic spine is naturally supported and fixed by the ribs - the intervertebral discs are therefore well protected.
With this disease, the core of the intervertebral disc becomes thinner and dries up, the fibrous tissue around it begins to decompose, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.It turns out that the spine cannot cope with normal loads - and this is primarily expressed in the appearance of pain, which initially appears vague, but becomes more and more intense over time.However, with significant stress - lack of exercise, sedentary work, constant stress, poor posture and back injuries - sooner or later osteochondrosis affects the chest area.The disease is considered very common - one in three adults suffers from it.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?Especially when pain occurs, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- Pain in the hands that increases when lifting and extends to the fingertips;
- pain when bending over;
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, sometimes even to flaky skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive disorders.
Pain in osteochondrosis of the chest can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes it is a mild stabbing or dull pain that becomes noticeable in the late afternoon and disappears 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 course of the disease, the 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.Lumbago often begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, after working at the computer in a static position for several hours.
A special “trick” of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is that the disease can cleverly disguise itself as a dozen other ailments.Osteochondrosis of the chest can very easily be confused with symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to renal or hepatic colic, and impaired speech and numbness in various parts of the body are even confused with signs of a stroke.
In addition, not only the patients themselves, but also experienced doctors make mistakes, which significantly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is particularly difficult to recognize in the early stages - which is why it is often diagnosed when the disease is already severe and has reached the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamental.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, thereby significantly reducing the pain symptoms associated with the disease.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine does not pose an immediate threat to the patient's life. However, if ignored, significant complications can arise:
- 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 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 thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.This, in turn, will most likely lead to all sorts of disruptions in the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, biliary tract.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help 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, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, which includes both 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 the diagnosis, the doctor can use the following therapy methods:
- medications to relieve 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 aimed not at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the intensity of pain.Eliminating pain is the main goal of treating 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 must regularly perform therapeutic exercises, otherwise no results will be achieved.
In some, particularly 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 in about 50% of patients.
Regular spa stays are recommended for thoracic osteochondrosis.In a sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy that combines medication, physiotherapy and gymnastic methods - and feels a significant improvement in his condition for a long time.
Folk remedies
In acute cases of illness, inpatient treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is recommended.However, if the symptoms are not severe, it is not necessary to go to the hospital.In this case, home care is 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 - rapid relief of pain and inflammation, relief of the symptoms of the disease.Therefore, when treating osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants are used, which have a calming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
What medicinal mixtures should 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 provides a noticeable effect.
Decoctions are brewed like tea: a tablespoon of a medicinal plant is poured into a glass of hot water, infused and taken internally two to three times a day.In addition to taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of feverfew, lavender and valerian - stress, which is inevitable during the course of the disease, can worsen the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are also used - for example, extracts of celandine, ribwort plantain and pine needles have a calming and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood circulation between inflamed spinal discs and eliminates inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubs are not recommended for acute pain.However, they can be used during a lull in illness.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 and stirred until smooth.The ointment is applied to the back at night for two weeks - the top of the treated area must 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, a familiar lumbago and dull pain in the chest area, radiating to the peritoneum, lower back and arms, 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 in which the load on the spine remains;
- Apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area that are not too strong.
- Gently massage the affected areas yourself - but avoid strong pressure;
- Continue physical therapy as much as possible - but only if it does not increase the pain.
In the event of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If unbearable pain occurs, hospitalization may even be necessary.However, in most cases, exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine a gentle course of treatment with taking medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for the exacerbation of osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be quickly managed.