Osteochondrosis is usually called dystrophic changes in the bone and connective tissue of the spine.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads, and this is expressed mainly in the appearance of pain, which at first is expressed vaguely, but over time becomes more and more intense.
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 due to the fact that the thoracic spine is naturally supported and fixed by the ribs;Therefore, the intervertebral discs have good protection.
In this disease, the nucleus of the spinal disc becomes thinner and dries out, the fibrous tissue surrounding 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 mainly in the appearance of pain, which at first is expressed vaguely, but over time becomes more and more intense.However, with significant stress (sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, constant stress, poor posture and back injuries), sooner or later osteochondrosis affects the thoracic region.The disease is considered very common: one in three adults 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 the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, which intensifies when they are raised and reaches the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending over;
Also, thoracic osteochondrosis can be expressed in numbness, not only in the chest, but also in various parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis causes speech disorders, and sometimes even causes peeling skin, brittle nails, itchy skin, and digestive disorders.
Pain with osteochondrosis of the breast can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes these are mild, stabbing or dull pains that appear in the late afternoon and disappear after physical activity, for example, a short walk.This is usually the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the development of the disease, pain 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, low back pain begins after a long period of inactivity, for example, several hours of working at a computer in a static position.
A special "insidiousness" of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is that the disease can cleverly disguise itself as a dozen other ailments.Osteochondrosis of the chest is very easy to confuse with symptoms of pneumonia, angina, ischemia and heart attack.Sometimes the disease looks more like renal or hepatic colic, and impaired speech and a feeling of numbness in different parts of the body are even confused with signs of stroke.
In addition, errors are made not only by patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors, which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the breast is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages, therefore it is often diagnosed when the disease has already become pronounced and entered the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is of fundamental importance.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, significantly reducing the pain symptoms accompanying 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 major 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 in scoliosis;Sometimes the disease spreads to the cervical vertebrae and causes loss of voice.
In addition, a severe weakening of the spine in the thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.In turn, this will probably lead to all kinds of disorders of the digestive tract: stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys and biliary tract.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help to 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 comprehensive diagnosis is carried out, which includes 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 therapy methods:
- medications intended 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 not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the intensity of pain.Elimination of pain is the main goal of treatment for 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 must perform therapeutic exercises regularly;otherwise it will not give any result.
In some, especially severe cases, 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 in approximately 50% of patients.
For thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to health resorts are recommended.In the sanatorium, the patient receives complex and comprehensive therapy combining medications, 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, it is not necessary to go to the hospital.In this case, home care takes on fundamental importance.It is not only possible, but also necessary, to treat osteochondrosis with folk remedies;sometimes they show no less effectiveness than official medical procedures.
Home treatment is aimed at the same goal: quick relief from pain and inflammation, relief from the symptoms of the disease.Therefore, in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants are used that have sedative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to prepare 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: an aromatic hot drink made from two or three different herbs produces a noticeable effect.
Decoctions are made 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 and valerian;Stress, inevitable during the course of the disease, can further aggravate 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 flow between inflamed discs in the spine and relieves inflammation.
The use of compresses, ointments and rubs is not recommended during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during a pause in the illness.For example, rubbing with mustard and camphor ointment is popular: 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white and 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 low back pain and dull pain in the chest area, which radiates to the peritoneum, lower back and arms, then it is time to pay maximum attention to his illness.
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 mild compresses and ointments to the affected area that do not have too strong effect;
- Gently massage the affected areas yourself, but avoid applying strong pressure;
- Continue physical therapy as much as possible, but only if this does not cause increased pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If unbearable pain occurs, hospitalization may even be necessary.But in most cases, exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if a gentle regimen is combined with medication prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for the exacerbation of osteochondrosis is lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest;then the exacerbation can be treated quickly.