Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis manifest themselves in one way or another in many people, because the disease is very common. Contrary to popular belief, joint problems can only occur in old age, but young patients may show signs of the disease, 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 to avoid the first manifestations of osteochondrosis, which will be easier to eliminate at an early stage.
What do you want to know about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
Osteochondrosis is a condition in which the discs between the vertebrae begin to separate in the chest area. Therefore, the distance between the vertebral bodies is reduced, followed by the destruction of nerve tissue, which causes severe pain. It is important to know that the thoracic spine has the lowest risk of developing osteochondrosis because it is firmly attached to the ribs. However, if such a disease develops, the upper back, ie the 12 thoracic vertebrae, are involved in the pathological process. Often the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are caused by inflammation of the upper spine. The level of damage to the intervertebral discs can be completely different.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
What will be the manifestations of osteochondrosis depends on many factors. These include:
- stage of the disease - whether in 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 in which the doctor began to suspect the disease. Namely:
- Dorsago - pain in the chest.
- Damage to nerve endings, the formation of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the passage of pain after the use of nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
It is worthwhile to take a closer look at the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, which will allow you to identify the causes of anxiety in a timely manner and get rid of them.
Pressure in the back or chest that prevents breathing
Compression is felt both in the chest and back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to breathe deeply. Otherwise, while taking a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, which stops him from trying.
Difficulty turning (tilting) luggage
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 and bend the torso, you have to turn with your whole body, and the person has problems raising his hand.
Repetitive sensations of numbness in the body
If you do not know what symptoms and feelings occur in thoracic osteochondrosis, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesia. It manifests itself in the form of numbness, tingling, loss of sensitivity in the skin areas, as well as a feeling of "creeping" of the skin. This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Low temperature of the lower extremities
Due to a disease such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the organs may decrease. This will cause a constant feeling of coldness in the legs, which will be noted by the doctor during the examination.
Causes
Osteochondrosis occurs in the chest, the symptoms and treatment of which are discussed at this site for various reasons. It is worth knowing who is at risk to take special care of your health.
Hereditary predisposition
A person with a family history of osteochondrosis is more likely to get sick. However, the presence of osteochondrosis in close relatives will not necessarily lead to such a disease.
Weights lifted
Large loads on the spine cause wear of the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, there is an increased risk of various diseases, including spinal injuries and osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.
Inaction leading to physical inactivity
Lack of movement leads to weakening of the structures of the musculoskeletal system, which can lead to osteochondrosis. For this reason, sedentary lifestyles, sedentary people, for example, in the office are more susceptible to disease. In this case, it is enough to exercise to prevent osteochondrosis and not neglect walks in the fresh air.
Curvature of the spine due to poor posture
People who have not developed proper posture may need to learn about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. This can lead to various types of inflammation, including osteochondrosis, in which the spine begins to bend.
Trauma
An injured person can have different consequences, it all depends on how severely the spinal structures are injured. Osteochondrosis can be caused in the future:
- deductions;
- fractures;
- cracks;
- damage to the soft tissues of the back in the chest area;
- and so on.
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, because injuries that do not heal in time can lead to serious consequences.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis treated?
When diagnosing osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, treatment should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to getting rid of the disease. You will need to be treated with medication, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to a massage therapist will also be effective.
Drugs
If you experience osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed medication for:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxant;
- eliminate inflammation - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthening of intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time and dose of the reception individually, because only in this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest at home will be effective.
Sports therapy
Exercise begins at a stage when inflammation and acute pain recede. They are aimed at stretching the back muscles, relieving tension, strengthening the muscle corset and returning the structures to their previous mobility. The set of exercises will be selected by the doctor depending on the general state of health, as well as the stage and type of the disease.
Massage
Massage is one of the most effective ways to get rid of osteochondrosis. They cannot act as an independent type of treatment because they cannot eliminate inflammation, but they can significantly improve well-being in combination with medication and exercise. It is best to visit a professional massage therapist to maximize results. He knows everything about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest and will be able to choose the optimal actions and options to affect the soft tissues that will improve your condition, according to the doctor's prescriptions. Massage improves blood and lymph flow to the tissues, relaxes tense muscles and tones less stressed muscles than others.
Prevention
It is best to avoid such a situation so as not to think about the initial symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis. The following tips will help you do this:
- exercise yourself a lot - morning jogging, swimming in the pool, warming up and walking;
- If the work involves staying in one position for a long time, do not forget to warm up from time to time, straighten your back and relax your shoulders;
- choose a chair with an anatomical back to sit on;
- It is best to choose an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow for sleeping;
- do not lift very heavy loads, it is better to carry a heavy load in parts than once;
- do abs exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- Balance your diet - it should contain maximum trace elements and vitamins.
All this will help prevent osteochondrosis, and you will also protect your health in old age. But if you already have the first signs of the disease, do not waste time and try to prevent it, see a doctor immediately.