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 expressed primarily in the appearance of pain, vaguely expressed at first, but which becomes more and more intense over time.
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 because the thoracic spine is naturally supported and secured by the ribs.The intervertebral discs therefore benefit from good protection.
In this disease, the core of the intervertebral disc thins and dries out, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilaginous tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is expressed primarily in the appearance of pain, vaguely expressed at first, but which becomes more and more intense over time.However, with significant stress - sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, constant stress, poor posture and back injuries - osteochondrosis sooner or later 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 case of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in left side of chest;
- pain in the hands, intensifying when they are raised and reaching 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 speech disorders, and sometimes even causes scaly skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive problems.
Pain associated with osteochondrosis of the breast can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes it is mild, stabbing or dull pain, which appears in the late afternoon and disappears after physical activity, for example a short walk.This is usually how the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the development of the disease, painful symptoms often manifest themselves in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, sharp, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only aggravate the situation.Often, lumbago begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, several hours of work at a computer in a static position.
A special “insidiousness” of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is that the disease can skillfully disguise itself as a dozen other diseases.Thoracic osteochondrosis is very easy to confuse with the symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease is more like renal or hepatic colic, and speech disturbances and the feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with signs of a 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 especially difficult to recognize at an early stage - therefore it is often diagnosed when the disease has already become pronounced and has entered the chronic phase.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is of fundamental importance.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, thereby significantly reducing the painful symptoms 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;
- compression of the spinal cord in the damaged area of the spine.
Advanced osteochondrosis of the spine is expressed as scoliosis;Sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical vertebrae and causes loss of voice.
In addition, severe weakening of the spine in the thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.In turn, this will most likely lead to all sorts of disorders of the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help slow down the development 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 thorough diagnosis is carried out, including both an examination of the patient by a specialist and examinations 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 therapeutic methods:
- medicines to relieve pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- a special course of therapeutic exercises.
Almost all of the listed methods are aimed not at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the intensity of pain.Elimination of pain is the main goal of treatment of 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, the patient is required to regularly perform therapeutic exercises, otherwise it will not give any results.
In some cases, particularly serious, surgical treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis can be used.In such a situation, the affected vertebrae are replaced with a prosthesis.Practice shows that the operation is effective for about 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular visits to health resorts are recommended.In a sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy, combining medicinal, physiotherapeutic and gymnastic methods - and for a long time feels a significant improvement in his condition.
Folk remedies
In acute cases of the disease, it is recommended to treat thoracic osteochondrosis in a hospital setting.But if the symptoms are not serious, there is no need to go to the hospital.In this case, home care is of fundamental importance.It is not only possible, but also necessary to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies - they sometimes prove to be no less effective than official medical procedures.
Home treatment aims at the same goal: rapid relief of pain and inflammation, relief of symptoms of the disease.Therefore, when treating osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants with a sedative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect are used.
What medicinal mixtures are 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 - a hot aromatic drink based on two or three different herbs gives a noticeable effect.
Decoctions are brewed in the same way as tea: a tablespoon of a medicinal plant is poured into a glass of hot water, infused 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 motherwort, lavender, valerian - stress, inevitable during the course of the disease, can further 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 calming and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood circulation between inflamed discs in the spine and eliminates inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubbing are not recommended during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during a lull in 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 top of the treated area should be covered with a woolen cloth.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
What is considered an exacerbation of the disease?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels noticeable 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 stationary positions, in which the load on the spine remains;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area that do not have too aggressive an effect;
- gently massage the affected areas yourself - but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue physical therapy as much as possible - but only if it does not result in increased pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.In case of unbearable pain, hospitalization may even be necessary.But in most cases, exacerbations 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 need maximum rest - then the exacerbation can be treated quickly.