Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis are manifested in one way or another in a large number of people, since this disease is very common. Contrary to the belief that joint problems can appear only in old age, signs of the disease can appear in young patients, and by the age of 40, almost everyone suffers from the disease. You need to know when to worry about your condition and consult a doctor so as not to miss the first manifestations of osteochondrosis, which will be easier to eliminate at an early stage.
What you need to know about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
Osteochondrosis is a condition when 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 infringement of the nervous tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is worth knowing that it is the thoracic spine that is least at risk of developing osteochondrosis due to the fact that it is rigidly fixed by the ribs. But if such a disease nevertheless develops, the upper back, namely 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. Most often, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine appear from the fact that inflammation occurs in the upper vertebrae. The level of damage to the intervertebral discs can be completely different.
Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis
What the manifestations of osteochondrosis will be depends on many factors. These include:
- the stage of the disease - whether it is in an acute stage, or is it in remission;
- how old the patient is;
- how much the spinal column 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 begins to suspect the disease. Namely:
- Dorsago - soreness in the chest area.
- Damage to the nerve endings, the occurrence of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent pain from going away after nitroglycerin use.
- Lung congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal Syndrome.
It is worth considering in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, which will make it possible to identify the causes of discomfort in time and get rid of them.
Pressure in the back or chest that prevents breathing
Compression is felt both in the chest and in the back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to take a deep breath. Otherwise, when taking a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, which makes him stop trying.
Difficulty turning (tilting) the trunk
Due to the fact that the disease manifests itself in severe pain, a person experiences significant discomfort from habitual movements. It is impossible to turn the torso and bend over, you have to turn with the whole body, and also the person has problems in order to raise his hand up.
Recurrent sensations of body numbness
If you do not know what symptoms and sensations occur with chest osteochondrosis, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesias. They are manifested in the form of numbness of skin areas, tingling, decreased sensitivity, as well as a feeling as if the skin is "creeping". This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Lowered temperature of the lower extremities
Due to an ailment such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the limbs may decrease. This will cause a constant sensation of coldness in the limbs, which the doctor will note at the examination.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs, the symptoms and treatment of which are described on this site, for a variety of reasons. It is worth knowing who is at risk in order to be especially attentive to your health.
Hereditary predisposition
A person whose family has had cases of osteochondrosis is more likely to get sick. But the presence of osteochondrosis in close relatives will not necessarily cause such an ailment.
Lifted weights
Large loads on the spinal column cause increased wear of the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risks of spinal injuries and its various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, increase.
Inactivity leading to physical inactivity
Lack of movement leads to a weakening of the muscles and structures of the musculoskeletal system, which can lead to osteochondrosis. Therefore, people with a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, for example, in the office, are more susceptible to the disease. To avoid osteochondrosis in this case, it is enough to do exercises and not neglect walks in the fresh air.
Curvature of the spine due to poor posture
People who have not developed the correct posture may need to learn about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. This can lead to the fact that the spine begins to bend and various kinds of inflammation occur, including osteochondrosis.
Trauma
A person receiving injuries can lead to various consequences, everything will depend on how seriously the structures of the spine were injured. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- dislocations;
- 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, since injuries that are not healed in a timely manner are likely to provoke serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment when diagnosing osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to getting rid of the disease. You need to be treated with medicines, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the massage therapist's office will also be effective.
Drugs
If you are faced with manifestations of osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed drugs for:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants;
- relieving inflammation - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthening intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the timing of admission and the dosage individually, since only in this case the treatment of chest osteochondrosis at home will be effective.
Exercise therapy
Exercises are started at a stage when inflammation and acute pain recede. They are aimed at stretching the back muscles, relieving tension, strengthening the muscle corset and restoring the structures to their former 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 of getting rid of osteochondrosis. They cannot act as an independent type of treatment, since they are not able to relieve inflammation, but they can significantly improve well-being in combination with drugs and exercises. To maximize the result, it is best to visit a professional massage therapist. He knows everything about the symptoms and treatment of chest osteochondrosis and will be able, based on the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the optimal movements and options for influencing soft tissues, which will improve your condition. Massage improves blood and lymph flow in tissues, relaxes tense muscles and tones muscles that are less stressed than others.
Prophylaxis
In order not to think about what are the signs of the onset of chest osteochondrosis, it is best to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you with this:
- get yourself plenty of exercise - jogging in the morning, swimming in the pool, warm-ups and walks;
- if the work is associated with a long stay in one position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while do not forget to warm up periodically;
- for sitting, choose a chair with an anatomical back;
- for sleeping, 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 one time;
- do abs exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- balance your diet - it should contain a maximum of trace elements and vitamins.
All this will help prevent the occurrence of 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, immediately consult a doctor.