Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis manifest themselves in one way or another in a large number of people, as this disease is very common. Contrary to the belief that joint problems can only manifest themselves 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 do you need to know about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
Osteochondrosis is a condition in which the 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 the violation 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, i. e. 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 breast osteochondrosis
What will be the manifestations of osteochondrosis depends on many factors. These include:
- the stage of the disease - whether it is in an acute stage or in remission;
- how old is the patient;
- how affected the spine is.
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. That means:
- Dorsago - pain in the chest area.
- Damage to nerve endings, the onset of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent pain from going away after using nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
It is worth considering in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, which will allow to identify the causes of discomfort over time and eliminate them.
Pressure in the back or chest that prevents breathing
Compression is felt in both the chest and back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to take a deep breath. Otherwise, when he takes a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, which makes him stop feeling.
Difficulty turning (tilting) the trunk
Due to the fact that the disease is manifested by severe pain, a person feels considerable discomfort from habitual movements. It is impossible to turn the torso and bend over, you have to turn with the whole body and the person also has problems raising his hand.
Recurring feelings of numbness in the body
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 manifest themselves in the form of numbness of 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.
Lowered temperature of the lower limbs
Due to a disorder such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the limbs can decrease. This will cause a constant cold sensation in the limbs, which the doctor will notice during 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 pays to know who is at risk to be particularly attentive to their 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 ailment.
Weights lifted
Large loads on the spine 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 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 know 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
A person who receives injuries can lead to various consequences, it will all depend on how badly 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're injured, don't hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that aren't healed in a timely manner are likely to have serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment during the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to get rid of the disease. You need to be treated with medicines, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the masseur'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;
- relieve inflammation - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthen the intervertebral discs and improve the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor individually determines the timing of admission and dosage, since only in this case the treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis at home will be effective.
Physical therapy
Exercises begin at a stage where inflammation and acute pain recede. They are intended to stretch the back muscles, relieve tension, strengthen the muscle corset and restore structures to their former mobility. The set of exercises will be chosen by the doctor, based 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, as they are unable to relieve inflammation, but they can significantly improve well-being in combination with medications and exercises. To maximize the result, it is best to visit a professional massage therapist. He knows all about the symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis and will be able, according to the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the optimal movements and options to affect the soft tissues, which will improve your condition. Massage improves blood and lymphatic flow 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 onset of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is better to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you with this:
- do a lot of exercise: jogging in the morning, swimming in the pool, warming up and walking;
- if the work is associated with a long stay in one position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while not forgetting to periodically warm up;
- to sit, 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 some parts than at one time;
- do abdominal 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 present, do not waste time and do not try to prevent it, consult a doctor immediately.