Osteochondrosis is commonly called dystrophic changes in the bones and connective tissue of the spine.The spine turns out not to be able to withstand normal loads - and this is expressed mainly in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.
The main symptoms of this 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 drier, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine turns out not to be able to withstand normal loads - and this is expressed mainly 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.This disease is considered very common - every third adult suffers from it.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, in the event of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hand, worse when it is raised and reaches the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending;
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 it also causes peeling skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive disorders.
Pain with osteochondrosis of the breast can manifest in different ways.Sometimes this is a stabbing pain or dull pain that manifests itself in the late afternoon and disappears after physical activity - for example, a short walk.This is usually how the early stages of thoracic osteochondrosis progress, when the intervertebral discs have not been deeply affected.
In the final stage of disease development, pain symptoms often appear in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movement only worsens 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 "peculiarity" of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other diseases.Osteochondrosis of the chest is easily confused with symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia, and heart attack.Sometimes this disease is more similar to renal or hepatic 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 patient himself, but also by experienced doctors - which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is very difficult to recognize in the early stages - that is why it is often diagnosed when the disease has become obvious and has entered the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamentally important.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the progression of the disease, significantly reducing the symptoms of pain 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;
- spinal cord compression in the damaged spinal area.
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 weakness 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 tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help delay the progression 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 comprehensive diagnosis is carried out, including examination of the patient by a specialist and examination 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 therapy methods:
- medicines aimed at relieving pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- special course of therapeutic training.
Almost all the listed methods are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Pain relief is the main goal of treatment for osteochondrosis of the breast.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 perform therapeutic exercises regularly - otherwise, it will not give any results.
In some cases, especially severe ones, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis can be used.In such cases, the affected vertebra is replaced with a prosthesis - practice shows that the operation is effective for about 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to health resorts are recommended.In the sanatorium, the patient received a fully complex therapy, combining drugs, physiotherapeutic methods and gymnastics - and for a long time felt a significant improvement in his condition.
People's recovery
In acute cases of this disease, it is recommended to treat thoracic osteochondrosis in an inpatient setting.But if the symptoms are not severe, there is no need 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 effectiveness no less than official medical procedures.
Treatment at home is aimed at the same goal - quick relief of pain and inflammation, reducing the 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 mixture is recommended to brew instead of tea and drink 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.
The decoction is brewed in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of the 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, which cannot be avoided during the course of the disease, can worsen the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are used - for example, extracts of celandine, banana, and pine needles have a soothing and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, increases blood flow between inflamed spinal discs, and removes inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubs are not recommended for use during the period of acute pain.However, they can be used during the remission 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, stirred until smooth.The ointment is applied to the back for two weeks at night - the upper part of the treated area must be covered with a woolen cloth.
What should be done in case of an aggravation?
What is considered an exacerbation?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels significant discomfort, the usual lumbago and dull pain in the chest area, radiating to the peritoneum, lower back and arms, then it's time to pay maximum attention to your disease.
During an exacerbation it is recommended:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- remain in a stationary position as little as possible, where the load on the spine remains;
- apply compresses and soft ointments to the affected areas that do not have too hard effects;
- gently massage the affected area yourself - but avoid using 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 be necessary.But in most cases, the worsening 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 the exacerbation of osteochondrosis is a lack of physical activity.An inflamed intervertebral disc needs maximum rest - then the aggravation can be dealt with quickly.