The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast appear 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 occur only 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 signs of osteochondrosis, which will be easier to eliminate at an early stage.
What 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 chest area. Therefore, the distance between the vertebral bodies decreases and this is followed by a violation of the nervous tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is worth knowing that the thoracic spine is the least at risk of developing osteochondrosis due to the fact that it is firmly fixed by the ribs. But if such a disease nevertheless develops, the upper back, namely the 12 thoracic vertebrae, participates in the pathological process. Most often, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest appear from the fact that the 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. They include:
- the stage of the disease - whether it is 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. Namely:
- Dorsago - chest pain.
- Damage to the nerve endings, the appearance of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the pain from disappearing after the use of nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
It is worth examining in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest, which will allow to identify the causes of discomfort in time and get rid of them.
Pressure in the back or chest that interferes with breathing
The compression is felt in both the chest and the back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to take a deep breath. Otherwise, when taking a deep breath, a person experiences severe pain, which makes him 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 normal movements. It is impossible to turn the torso and bend, you have to turn with the whole body, and the person also has problems with raising the arm up.
Recurrent tingling sensations in the body
If you do not know what symptoms and sensations occur in osteochondrosis of the chest, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesias. They manifest themselves in the form of tingling in the skin, tingling, decreased sensitivity, and a feeling as if the skin is "creeping". This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Decreased temperature of the lower extremities
Due to a disease such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the limbs may decrease. This will cause a constant feeling of cold in the limbs, which the doctor will notice during the examination.
Causes
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs, the symptoms and treatment of which are described on this site for various reasons. It is worth knowing who is at risk to be especially careful about your health.
Hereditary predisposition
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 cause such a disease.
Lift weights
High loads on the spine cause increased wear of the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risks of spinal cord injury and various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the chest, increase.
Inaction leading to physical inaction
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 exercise and not neglect walking 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 chest. 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 seriously the structures of the spine are injured. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- dislocations;
- fractures;
- cracks;
- soft tissue damage to the back in the chest area;
- etc . .
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that are not treated in time are likely to cause serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. The competent approach must include an integrated approach to getting rid of the disease. You need to be treated with medication, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the masseur's office will also be effective.
Drugs
If you experience osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed medication to:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants;
- inflammation relief - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthening the intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time of administration and dosage individually, because only in this case the treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest at home will be effective.
Exercise therapy
Exercise begins at a stage when inflammation and sharp pain subside. They are aimed at stretching the muscles of the back, relieving tension, strengthening the muscular corset and returning the structures to their previous 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
Massage is one of the most effective methods to eliminate osteochondrosis. They cannot act as a stand-alone treatment, as they are not able to relieve inflammation, but can significantly improve well-being in combination with medication and exercise. For maximum results, it is best to visit a professional masseur. He knows all about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest and will be able, based on the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the optimal movements and options for impact on soft tissues, which will improve your condition. Massage improves blood and lymph flow in the tissues, relaxes tense muscles and tones muscles that are less stressed than others.
Prevention
In order not to think about the signs of osteochondrosis in the chest, it is best to prevent this condition. The following tips will help you with this:
- take a lot of exercises - jogging in the morning, swimming in the pool, warming up and walking;
- if the work involves a long stay in one position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while remembering to warm up periodically;
- for sitting choose a chair with an anatomical back;
- for sleeping it is best to choose an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow;
- do not lift very heavy loads, it is better to carry a heavy load in parts than at once;
- do abdominal exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- balance your diet - it should contain a maximum of trace elements and vitamins.
All this will help prevent 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.