Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis, in one way or another, 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 has 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 are easier to get rid of at an early stage.
What do you need to know about thoracic spine osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a condition in which the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae in the chest area begin to separate. Because of this, the distance between the vertebral bodies decreases, which is followed by an injury to the nerve tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is important to know that it is the thoracic spine where the risk of osteochondrosis is lowest, as it is rigidly fixed by the ribs. If, nevertheless, such a disease develops, then the upper back, namely 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. Most often, symptoms of thoracic spine osteochondrosis arise from the fact that there is inflammation in the upper vertebrae. The extent of the damage to the intervertebral discs can be completely different.
Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis
What the manifestations of osteochondrosis will be depends on many factors. These include:
- the stage of the disease - whether in an acute stage or in remission;
- how old the patient is;
- how badly the spine is affected.
But at the same time we can say that the disease is characterized by the main clinical manifestations, after which the doctor begins to suspect the disease. Namely:
- Dorsago - chest pain.
- Damage to the nerve endings, appearance of paresthesia.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the pain from going away after using nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal Syndrome.
It is worth taking a closer look at the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region in order to identify and eliminate the causes of discomfort in a timely manner.
Pressure in your back or chest preventing you from breathing
Compression can be felt in both the chest and back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to take deep breaths. Otherwise, the person will experience severe pain when they inhale, which will stop them trying.
Difficulty turning (tilting) the trunk
Due to the fact that the disease is manifested in severe pain, a person suffers significant discomfort from habitual movements. It is impossible to rotate the upper body and bend, one has to rotate with the whole body, and the person also has problems raising their hands.
Recurring sensations of numbness
If you do not know about the symptoms and sensations of chest osteochondrosis, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesia. They manifest in the form of numbness of the skin, tingling, decreased sensitivity and the feeling that the skin is "creeping". This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Lowering the temperature of the lower extremities
The blood supply to the limbs may decrease due to a disease such as osteochondrosis. This leads to a constant feeling of coldness in the limbs, which the doctor notices during the exam.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs for a variety of reasons, the symptoms and treatment of which are described here. It is worth knowing who is at risk to take extra care of your health.
Hereditary disposition
A person whose family has had cases of osteochondrosis is more likely to get sick. However, the presence of osteochondrosis in close relatives does not necessarily lead to such a disease.
Weights lifted
Great loads on the spine lead to increased wear and tear on the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risk of injuries to the spine and its various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the chest region, increases.
Inactivity leads to physical inactivity
Lack of exercise leads to a weakening of the muscles and structures of the musculoskeletal system, which can lead to osteochondrosis. Therefore, people with a sedentary lifestyle, e. g. B. sedentary work, for example in the office, more prone to the disease. To avoid osteochondrosis in this case, it is enough to do exercises 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 thoracic osteochondrosis. This can cause the spine to begin to bend and cause various types of inflammation, including osteochondrosis.
trauma
A person who suffers injury can lead to various consequences. It all depends on how badly the structures of the spine are injured. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- Dislocations;
- Fractures;
- Cracks;
- Damage to the soft tissues of the back in the chest area;
- etc.
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that are not healed in a timely manner can have serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis
Treatment in diagnosing osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily involves an integrated approach to eradicating the disease. They need to be treated with medication, special exercises, and gymnastics, and a visit to the massage therapist's office is also effective.
Drugs
When faced with manifestations of osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed drugs for:
- Relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants;
- Relief from Inflammation - Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents;
- Strengthening the 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 the treatment of breast osteochondrosis at home will be effective.
Exercise therapy
Exercise begins at a stage where inflammation and acute pain subside. They aim to stretch the back muscles, relieve tension, strengthen the muscle corset and restore the structures to their previous flexibility. The exercises are selected by the doctor depending on the general state of health, as well as the stage of the disease and its type.
massage
Massage is one of the most effective ways to get rid of osteochondrosis. They can't act as a standalone type of treatment because they can't reduce inflammation, but they can greatly improve wellbeing when combined with medication and exercise. To maximize the result, it is best to see a professional massage therapist. He knows all about the symptoms and treatment of breast osteochondrosis and, based on a doctor's prescription, can select the optimal movements and soft tissue manipulation options that will improve your condition. Massage improves blood and lymph flow in tissues, relaxes tense muscles and strengthens muscles that are less stressed than others.
prevention
In order not to think about what the signs of the appearance of osteochondrosis in the chest are, it is best to prevent such a disease. The following tips will help you:
- Get plenty of exercise - jogging in the morning, swimming in the pool, warming up, and going for a walk;
- If work involves staying in one position for a long time, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while not forgetting to warm up regularly.
- For sitting, choose a chair with an anatomical backrest.
- For sleeping, it is best to choose an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
- Don't lift a lot of heavy loads. It is better to carry a heavy load in parts than all at once.
- Doing abdominal exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- Balancing your diet - it should contain a maximum of trace elements and vitamins.
All of 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 there, do not waste time trying to prevent it. Consult a doctor immediately.