Osteochondrosis is usually called dystrophic changes in the bones and connective tissues of the spine.It turns out that the spine is unable to cope with normal loads - and this mainly manifests itself 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
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, so the intervertebral discs are provided with good protection.
In this disease, the core of the spinal disc becomes thinner and dries up, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and negative changes occur in the cartilage tissue.It turns out that the spine is unable to cope with normal loads - and this mainly manifests itself 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, 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 the case of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, which increases when they are raised and extends to the tips of the fingers;
- pain when stooping;
In addition, osteochondrosis of the chest can manifest itself as numbness - not only in the chest, but also in various parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes speech disorders, sometimes it even causes scaly skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and indigestion.
Pain with breast osteochondrosis can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes it's a mild stabbing or dull pain that appears in the late afternoon and goes away after physical exertion, such as a short walk.This is usually how the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis continues, when the intervertebral discs have not yet been deeply affected.
In the later stages of the disease, pain symptoms are often manifested in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only worsen the situation.Often, lumbago begins after prolonged inactivity - for example, working for several hours at the computer in a static position.
A special "cunning" of thoracic osteochondrosis is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other diseases.Osteochondrosis of the chest is very easy to confuse with symptoms of pneumonia, angina pectoris, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to kidney or liver colic, and speech disorders and 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 makes it much more difficult to diagnose the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages - that is why it is often detected when the disease has already become pronounced and reached a chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is very important.This allows you to start 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 it is not followed, it can lead to serious complications:
- appearance of chronic intercostal neuralgia;
- thoracic hernia;
- compression of the spinal cord in the damaged area of the spine.
Progressive spinal osteochondrosis is expressed in scoliosis;sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical vertebrae and causes voice loss.
In addition, serious weakening of the spine in the chest area can cause deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.In turn, this will most likely lead to all kinds of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Osteochondrosis of the chest requires careful treatment, which will help to slow down the development of the disease for a long time, prevent complications - and completely neutralize the symptoms of the disease in the early stages.
How is the disease treated?
What methods are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, 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 establishing the diagnosis, the doctor can use the following therapy methods:
- drugs aimed at reducing pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- a special course of therapeutic exercise.
Almost all of the listed methods are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at reducing inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Pain relief 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 must regularly perform therapeutic exercise - otherwise it will not give any result.
In some, particularly severe 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 in about 50% of patients.
In case of osteochondrosis of the chest, it is recommended to go to resorts regularly.In the sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy, combining medication, physiotherapeutic and exercise methods - and for a long time he feels his condition has significantly improved.
Folk remedies
In acute cases of the disease, thoracic osteochondrosis is recommended to be treated in an inpatient setting.But if the symptoms are not pronounced, there is no need to go to the hospital.In this case, home care becomes very important.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, in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of medicinal herbs and plants are used, which have a soothing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to be prepared instead of tea and drunk in case of osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, birch leaves, strawberry leaves and ripe burdock.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 made in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of the medicinal plant is poured with a glass of hot water, poured and taken orally two to three times a day.Along with the use of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs, it is recommended to drink calming infusions of motherwort, lavender, and valerian - the inevitable stress during the course of the disease can worsen the symptoms even more.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are used - for example, extracts of celandine, plantain, pine needles have a soothing and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood circulation between inflamed spinal discs and removes inflammation.
It is not recommended to use compresses, ointments and rubs during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during quiescence of the disease.For example, rubbing with mustard-camphor flower 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 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 palpable discomfort, familiar lumbago and dull pain in the chest area radiating to the abdomen, lower back and arms, then it is time to pay maximum attention to his illness.
During an exacerbation, it is recommended to:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- stay as little as possible in stationary positions that keep the load on the spine;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments that are not too harsh on the affected areas;
- gently massage the affected areas yourself - but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy as much as possible, but only if it does not cause 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 the use of medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for the exacerbation of osteochondrosis is the lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be quickly dealt with.