The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast are manifested in one way or another in a large number of people, because this disease is very common. Contrary to the belief that joint problems can appear only in old age, signs of the disease can appear in young patients, and by the age of 40, almost everyone suffers from that disease. You need to know when to take care of 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 thoracic spine osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae begin to separate in the thoracic region. As a result, the distance between the vertebral bodies decreases, followed by nerve tissue damage leading to severe pain. It is worth knowing that the thoracic spine is the one that least risks the development of osteochondrosis due to the fact that it is rigidly fixed by the ribs. But if such a disease still develops, the upper back, or 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. The most common symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are due to the fact that the inflammation occurs in the upper vertebrae. The level of damage to the intervertebral discs can be completely different.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast
What will be the manifestations of osteochondrosis depends on many factors. These include:
- stage of the disease - whether it is in the acute phase or in remission;
- how old the patient is;
- how much the spine is affected.
But at the same time we can say that the disease is characterized by major clinical manifestations, according to which the doctor begins to suspect the disease. Namely:
- Dorsago - pain in the chest area.
- Damage to nerve endings, the appearance of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the disappearance of pain after the use of nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
It is worth considering the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region in more detail, which will allow the causes of discomfort to be identified in time and resolved.
Pressure on the back or chest that prevents breathing
Compression is felt in both the chest and back, and the pathology itself does not allow the person to take a deep breath. Otherwise, when he takes a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, which is why he stops trying.
Difficulty turning (tilting) the trunk
Due to the fact that the disease manifests itself in severe pain, the person experiences significant discomfort from the usual movements. It is impossible to turn the torso and bend, you have to turn the whole body, and the person also has trouble raising the arm up.
Recurrent feelings of numbness of the body
If you do not know what symptoms and feelings occur with osteochondrosis in the chest, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesias. They manifest in the form of numbness of the skin area, tingling, decreased sensitivity, as well as a feeling as if the skin is "creeping". This is due to compression of the nerve endings.
Decreased temperature of the lower extremities
Due to diseases such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood flow to the limbs can be reduced. This will cause a constant feeling of coldness in the limbs, which the doctor will notice during the examination.
Causes
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs, whose symptoms and treatment are described here for various reasons. It is worth knowing who is in danger in order to take special care of your 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 a disease.
Lifted weights
High loads on the spinal column 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 weakening of muscles and structures of the musculoskeletal system, which can lead to osteochondrosis. Therefore, people who have a sedentary lifestyle and who, for example, work in an office are more susceptible to 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 spine osteochondrosis. This can lead to the fact that the spine begins to bend and various types of inflammation occur, including osteochondrosis.
Trauma
A person receiving injuries can lead to various consequences, it will all depend on how seriously the spinal structures are injured. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- sprains;
- fractures;
- cracks;
- soft tissue damage to the back in the thoracic region;
- etc. .
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that are not repaired in time are likely to cause serious consequences.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the chest?
Treatment when diagnosing thoracic spine osteochondrosis should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to disease management. You need to be treated with medication, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the massage therapist’s office will also be effective.
Drugs
If you are experiencing manifestations of osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed medication to:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants;
- inflammation relief - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthening of intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time of reception and dosage individually, because only in this case will the treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest at home be effective.
Exercise therapy
Exercises begin at the stage when inflammation and acute pain subside. They are aimed at stretching the back muscles, relieving tension, strengthening the muscular corset and restoring the structures to their former 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
Massages are one of the most effective methods of resolving osteochondrosis. They cannot act as a stand-alone type of treatment because they are not able to alleviate inflammation, but they can significantly improve well-being in combination with medication and exercise. To maximize the result, it is best to visit a professional massage therapist. He knows all about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest and will be able to choose the optimal movements and possibilities of soft tissue impact based on medical regulations, 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 the beginning of osteochondrosis in the chest, it is best to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you do this:
- treat yourself to lots of exercise - running in the morning, swimming in the pool, warming up and walking;
- if the job involves a long stay in one position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders while not forgetting to warm up occasionally;
- 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 a lot of heavy loads, it is better to carry a heavy load in parts than at the same 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 appearance of osteochondrosis, and you - in maintaining 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.