Osteochondrosis is usually called 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 expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but grows stronger over time.
The 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 stabilized by the ribs - therefore, the intervertebral discs are well protected.
In this disease, the core of the spinal disc becomes thinner and dries up, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.It turns out that the spine cannot cope with normal loads - and this is expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but grows stronger over time.However, with significant stress - a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, constant stress, bad 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, they include:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgia lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, intensifies when raised and extends to the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending;
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis can be expressed by numbness - not only in the chest, but also in various parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis leads to a speech disorder, sometimes it even causes skin crusting, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive system disorders.
Pain with breast osteochondrosis can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes it is a light stabbing or dull pain that manifests itself in the afternoon and disappears after physical activity - for example, a short walk.The initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis usually proceeds like this, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the disease, pain symptoms often appear in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, sharp, prevents normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only aggravate the situation.Often, lumbago begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, working at a computer for several hours in a static position.
The special "insidiousness" of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is that the disease can skillfully hide itself like many other diseases.It is very easy to confuse chest osteochondrosis with symptoms of pneumonia, angina, 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 stroke symptoms.
Moreover, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors - this makes the diagnosis of the disease very difficult.Osteochondrosis of the breast is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages - therefore, it is often diagnosed when the disease is already pronounced and enters the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamentally important.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, significantly reducing the pain 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 cause serious complications:
- 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 voice loss.
In addition, a sharp weakening of the spine in the thoracic region 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 system - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment that will help to slow down the progression 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, a comprehensive diagnosis is made, including examination of the patient by a specialist and examinations using modern equipment.This allows you to make an accurate diagnosis and be sure that it is not another disease, but osteochondrosis.
After making a diagnosis, the doctor can use the following methods for therapy:
- drugs aimed at relieving pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- hand therapy and therapeutic massage;
- a special course of therapeutic exercises.
Almost all of the listed methods are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis, but at eliminating inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Pain relief is the main goal of treatment of breast osteochondrosis.At the same time, manual therapy and exercise therapy can "straighten" the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae and prevent compression.However, the patient is required to regularly perform therapeutic exercises - otherwise, it will not give any results.
In some, especially severe cases, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis can be used.In such a case, the affected vertebra is replaced with a prosthesis - experience shows that the operation is effective for about 50% of patients.
Regular visits to spas are recommended for thoracic osteochondrosis.In a sanatorium, a patient receives a full-fledged complex therapy combining drug, physiotherapeutic and gymnastic methods and for a long time feels a significant improvement in his condition.
Folk treatment
In acute cases of the disease, 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 primary importance.Treating osteochondrosis with folk remedies is not only possible, but also necessary - sometimes they are no less effective than official medical procedures.
Home treatment is aimed at the same goal - to quickly eliminate pain and inflammation, relieve the symptoms of the disease.Therefore, when treating osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants that have a calming, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are used.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to brew and drink instead of tea for osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, maple 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 teaspoon of medicinal plant is poured into a glass of boiling water, brewed and consumed internally two to three times a day.In addition to taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of anawort, lavender, valerian - stress, which is inevitable during the course of the disease, can 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 soothing and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood flow between the inflamed discs of the spine and relieves inflammation.
It is not recommended to use compresses, ointments and rubs during acute pain.However, they can be used during quiescence of 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, mixed until smooth.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 exacerbation?
What is considered an exacerbation?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels noticeable discomfort in the chest area, familiar lumbago and dull pain, spreading to the peritoneum, back and arms, then it is time to pay maximum attention to his disease.
During an exacerbation, it is recommended:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- stay as little as possible in stationary positions where the load remains on the spine;
- apply soft compresses and ointments that do not have a strong effect on the affected area;
- gently massage the affected areas with yourself - but avoid strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy as much as possible—but only if it doesn't make the pain worse.
Bed rest is also recommended during acute complications.If excruciating 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 taking medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for exacerbation of osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be resolved quickly.