Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis somehow manifest themselves in a large number of people, since 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 by the age of 40 almost everyone suffers from the disease. You have to know when to be concerned about your condition and see a doctor so as not to miss the first manifestations of osteochondrosis, which will be easier to eliminate at an early stage.
What should you know about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
Osteochondrosis is a condition when the discs between the vertebrae begin to separate in the thoracic region. Due to this, the distance between the vertebral bodies decreases, which is followed by a violation of the nervous tissue, which leads to severe pain. You should know that it is the thoracic spine that is the least at risk of developing osteochondrosis because 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, symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine appear due to 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
Manifestations of osteochondrosis depend on many factors. These include:
- the stage of the disease - whether in an acute stage or in remission;
- how old is the patient;
- 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 begins to suspect the disease. To know:
- Dorsago - pain in the chest area.
- Damage to nerve endings, occurrence of paresthesia.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the pain from going away after using nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region should be considered in more detail, which will help identify the causes of discomfort over time and get rid of it.
Pressure in the back or chest that prevents breathing
The compression is felt both in the chest and in the back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to breathe deeply. Otherwise, upon taking a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, causing them to 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 the usual movements. It is not possible to turn the torso and bend over, you have to turn with the whole body, and the person also has difficulty raising their hand.
Recurrent sensations of body numbness
If you do not know what symptoms and sensations occur with thoracic osteochondrosis, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesias. They are manifested by numbness in the skin areas, tingling, decreased sensitivity, as well as a sensation as if the skin is "crawling". This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Lowering of the temperature of the lower limbs
Due to a disease such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the limbs may decrease. This will cause a constant feeling of coldness in the limbs, which the doctor will note during the examination.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs, the symptoms and treatment of which are described on this site, for various reasons. It pays to know who is at risk to pay special attention 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 a disease.
Weight lifted
Large loads on the spine lead to increased wear and tear on the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risks of damage to the spine and its various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, increase.
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, 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 to 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 types of inflammation occur, including osteochondrosis.
Trauma
An injured person can lead to various consequences, it will all depend on the severity of the damage to the structures of the spine. 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 go to the hospital, as injuries that are not healed in time can have 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 should be treated with medication, 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 tight muscles - muscle relaxants;
- relieve inflammation - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
- strengthening of intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time of admission and dosage individually, since only in this case will the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis at home be effective.
Exercise therapy
The exercises begin at a stage where the inflammation and sharp pain subsides. They aim to stretch the back muscles, relieve tension, strengthen the muscle corset and return 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 medication and exercise. To maximize the result, it is best to consult a professional massage therapist. He knows all about the symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis and will be able, depending on the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the optimal movements and options to influence the soft tissues, which will improve your condition. Massage improves blood and lymphatic circulation in the tissues, relaxes tense muscles and tones muscles that are less stressed than others.
Prevention
In order not to think about what are the signs of the appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is better to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you with that:
- get 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, not forgetting to periodically warm up;
- to sit down, choose a chair with an anatomical backrest;
- for sleeping it is better 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, rather than all at once;
- do abdominal exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- balance your diet - it should contain a maximum of trace elements and vitamins.
All of this will help prevent the onset of osteochondrosis and keep you healthy in old age. However, if the first signs of the disease are already there, do not waste time and try to prevent it, consult a doctor immediately.