Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis manifest themselves in one way or another in a large number of people, as this disease is very common. Contrary to the belief that joint problems can only appear in old age, signs of the disease can appear in young patients and, at age 40, almost everyone suffers from the disease. You need to know when to worry about your condition and see a doctor so as not to miss the first manifestations of osteochondrosis, which will be easier to eliminate early.
What do you need to know about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
Osteochondrosis is a condition in which the discs between the vertebrae begin to separate in the thoracic region. Because of this, the distance between the vertebral bodies decreases, and this is followed by the violation of the nervous tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is important to know that it is the thoracic spine that is least at risk of developing osteochondrosis because it is rigidly fixed by the ribs. However, if such a disease develops, the upper back, that is, the 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. Most of the time, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine arise from the fact that inflammation occurs in the upper vertebrae. The level of damage to the intervertebral discs can be completely different.
Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis
What will be the manifestations of osteochondrosis depends on many factors. These include:
- the stage of the disease - whether it is in an acute stage or in remission;
- how old the patient is;
- how much the spine is affected.
But, at the same time, we can say that the disease is characterized by the main clinical manifestations, according to which the doctor becomes suspicious of the disease. In particular:
- Dorsago - pain in the chest area.
- Damage to nerve endings, the occurrence of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the pain from disappearing after using nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal Syndrome.
It is worth considering in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, which will allow to identify over time the causes of discomfort and to get rid of them.
Back or chest pressure that prevents breathing
The compression is felt in both the chest and the back, and the pathology itself does not allow the person to take a deep breath. Otherwise, when taking a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, which makes him stop trying.
Difficulty in turning (tilting) the trunk
Because the disease manifests itself through severe pain, the person feels significant discomfort with the usual movements. It is impossible to turn the trunk and bend over, it has to turn with the whole body and the person also has difficulty raising his hand.
Recurrent sensations of body numbness
If you do not know what are the symptoms and sensations that occur in thoracic osteochondrosis, know that the disease is usually accompanied by paresthesias. They manifest themselves in the form of numbness in areas of the skin, tingling, decreased sensitivity, as well as a feeling that the skin is "crawling". This is due to the compression of nerve endings.
Lower extremity temperature
Due to a disease like osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the limbs may decrease. This will cause a constant sensation of cold in the limbs, which the doctor will notice during the exam.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs, the symptoms and treatment of which are described here, for several reasons. It is worth knowing who is at risk to be especially attentive to your health.
Hereditary predisposition
A person whose family has had cases of osteochondrosis is more likely to fall ill. But the presence of osteochondrosis in close relatives will not necessarily cause this disease.
Weights lifted
Large loads on the spine cause greater wear and tear on the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risks of spinal injuries and their various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, are increased.
Inactivity leading to physical inactivity
Lack of movement leads to weakening of the muscles and structures of the musculoskeletal system, which can lead to osteochondrosis. Therefore, people with a sedentary lifestyle, with sedentary work, for example, in the office, are more susceptible to the disease. To avoid osteochondrosis, in this case, just exercise and do not neglect walking outdoors.
Spine curvature due to poor posture
People who have not developed the correct posture may need to learn about the symptoms and treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis. This can lead to the fact that the spine begins to bend and various types of inflammation occur, including osteochondrosis.
Trauma
A person who receives injuries can lead to several consequences, everything will depend on how badly injured the structures of the spine. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- displacements;
- fractures;
- cracks;
- damage to the soft tissues of the back in the thoracic region;
- etc . .
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that are not healed in a timely manner can have serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to get rid of the disease. You need to be treated with medication, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the massage therapist's office will also be effective.
Drugs
If you experience manifestations of osteochondrosis, medications will be prescribed for:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants;
- inflammation relief - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthening intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilaginous tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time of hospitalization and the dosage individually, since only in that case the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis at home will be effective.
Exercise Therapy
Exercises begin at a stage when inflammation and acute pain subside. They are designed to stretch the back muscles, relieve tension, strengthen the muscle corset and restore structures to anterior mobility. The set of exercises will be chosen by the doctor, depending on the general state of health, as well as the stage of the disease and its type.
Massage
Massages are one of the most effective methods to eliminate osteochondrosis. They cannot act as a type of independent treatment, as they are not able to relieve inflammation, but they can significantly improve well-being in combination with medication and exercise. To maximize the result, it is best to visit a professional massage therapist. He knows everything about the symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis and will be able, based on the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the ideal movements and options to influence the soft tissues, which will improve his condition. Massage improves blood and lymphatic flow in tissues, relaxes tense muscles and tones muscles that are less stressed than others.
Prevention
In order not to think about the signs of the appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is better to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you with this:
- exercise a lot - running in the morning, swimming in the pool, getting warm and walking;
- if work is associated with a long stay in the same position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, but don't forget to warm up periodically;
- to sit, choose a chair with anatomical back;
- to sleep, it is best to choose an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow;
- do not lift a lot of heavy loads, it is better to carry a heavy load in parts than at once;
- do abdominal exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- balance your diet - it should contain no more than trace elements and vitamins.
All of this will help prevent osteochondrosis and you - to maintain good health in old age. However, if the first signs of the disease are already there, do not waste time and do not try to prevent it, see a doctor immediately.