Osteochondrosis is usually called dystrophic changes in the bones and connective tissue of the spine.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is especially visible in the appearance of pain, which is not obvious 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 nuclei of the spinal discs become thinner and dry out, the surrounding fibrous tissue begins to break down, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is especially visible in the appearance of pain, which is not obvious 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, on the occurrence of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hand, worse when lifted and reaching the fingertips;
- 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 causes speech disorders, and sometimes even causes peeling skin, brittle nails, itchy skin, and digestive disorders.
Pain in breast osteochondrosis can manifest itself in various ways.Sometimes this is a mild, stabbing or dull pain that appears in the afternoon and goes away after physical activity - for example, a short walk.This is usually the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, when the intervertebral discs are not yet severely affected.
In the later stages of disease progression, painful symptoms often appear in the form of back pain.The pain is very severe, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only worsen the situation.Often, back pain begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, several hours of working at the computer in a static position.
A special “badness” of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is that this disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other diseases.Chest osteochondrosis is very easy to confuse with symptoms of pneumonia, angina pectoris, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more similar to renal or hepatic colic, and speech disorders and a feeling of numbness in various parts of the body are even confused with signs of stroke.
Moreover, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, 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 the disease is often diagnosed when the disease is already advanced and has entered the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamentally important.This allows you to immediately start treatment and delay the progression of the disease, thereby significantly reducing the painful symptoms accompanying 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, it can lead to significant complications:
- the appearance of chronic intercostal neuralgia;
- thoracic hernia;
- compression of the spinal cord in the damaged area of the spine.
Advanced spinal osteochondrosis is expressed in scoliosis;Sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical spine and causes loss of voice.
In addition, severe weakening of the spine in the thoracic region can lead to deformation of the organs in the peritoneum.In turn, this will most likely cause all kinds of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help slow down 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 this disease treated?
What methods are used in the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, including examination of the patient by specialist doctors and examination using modern equipment.This allows you to make an accurate diagnosis and confirm that it is osteochondrosis and not another disease.
After establishing a diagnosis, the doctor can use the following therapeutic methods:
- drugs aimed at eliminating pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- special course of therapeutic exercises.
Almost all of the listed methods are aimed not at eliminating osteochondrosis, but at eliminating inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Relieving 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, patients are required to do therapeutic exercises regularly - otherwise they will not give any results.
In some cases, especially severe cases, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis may be used.In such situations, the affected spine is replaced with a prosthesis - practice shows that this operation is effective in about 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to health resorts are recommended.In the sanatorium, the patient receives complete complex therapy, combining medication methods, physiotherapy and gymnastics - and for a long time feels a significant improvement in his condition.
Traditional medicine
In case of acute disease, it is recommended to treat thoracic osteochondrosis in a hospital.However, if the symptoms are not severe, 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 - quickly eliminating 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 - aromatic hot drinks made from two or three different herbs give a pronounced effect.
The decoction is brewed in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of medicinal plants 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 is inevitable during the course of the disease, can further aggravate the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are also used - for example, extracts of celandine, plantain and pine needles have a calming and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood flow between inflamed spinal discs, and eliminates inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubbing are not recommended for use during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during quiet periods of the disease.For example, rubbing with mustard-camphor ointment is very popular - 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, mixed thoroughly.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 if an exacerbation occurs?
What is considered an exacerbation of the disease?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels real discomfort, familiar 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;
- stay as little as possible in a stationary position, in which the load on the spine remains;
- apply soft compresses and ointments to the affected area so as not to cause too harsh an effect;
- gently massage the affected area yourself - but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy as much as possible - but only if this does not increase the pain.
If acute complications occur, bed rest is also recommended.If unbearable pain occurs, hospitalization may be necessary.But in most cases, exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine a gentle diet with taking medications prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for exacerbation of osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs require maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be resolved quickly.