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 primarily expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.
Main symptoms of the disease
Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease that usually occurs in adulthood and does not fully manifest itself for a long time.This is because the thoracic spine is naturally supported and fixed by the ribs - therefore the intervertebral discs are provided with good protection.
In this disease, the core of the spinal disc becomes thinner and dries out, the fibrous tissue around it begins to deteriorate, and the cartilage tissue undergoes negative changes.The spine turns out to be unable to cope with normal loads - and this is primarily expressed in the appearance of pain, which is vaguely expressed at first, but becomes more and more intense over time.But with significant stress - a 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 - every third adult suffers from it.
What are the symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, in the occurrence of pain, which includes:
- interscapular and intercostal neuralgic lumbago;
- pain in the left side of the chest;
- pain in the hands, which increases when they are lifted and reaches to the tips of the fingers;
- pain when bending;
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis can be expressed in numbness - not only in the chest, but also in various parts of the body.Sometimes osteochondrosis leads to speech disorders, and sometimes even causes scaly skin, brittle nails, itchy skin and digestive disorders.
Pain with osteochondrosis in the chest can manifest itself in different ways.Sometimes it is mild stabbing or dull pain that appears in the late afternoon and disappears after physical activity – for example, a short walk.This is usually how the initial stage of thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds, when the intervertebral discs are not yet deeply affected.
In the later stages of the development of the disease, pain symptoms often appear in the form of lumbago.The pain is pronounced, acute, interferes with normal breathing, and unnecessary movements only worsen the situation.Often, lumbago begins after a long period of inactivity - for example, several hours of work at a computer in a static position.
A special "insidiousness" of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region is that the disease can skillfully 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 is more reminiscent of kidney or liver colic, and speech disturbances and numbness in various parts of the body are even mistaken for signs of a stroke.
Moreover, mistakes are made not only by the patients themselves, but also by experienced doctors - which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease.Osteochondrosis of the chest is especially difficult to recognize in the early stages - which is why it is often diagnosed when the disease has already been pronounced and has entered the chronic stage.
Meanwhile, timely diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is fundamentally important.This allows you to start treatment immediately and delay the development of the disease, which significantly reduces the pain symptoms that accompany 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 significant 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 voice loss.
In addition, severe weakening of the spine in the thoracic region can lead to deformation of the internal organs of the peritoneum.In turn, this will most likely lead to all sorts of ailments in the digestive tract - stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bile ducts.
Thoracic osteochondrosis requires careful treatment, which will help 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 to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?First of all, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, including both an examination of the patient by a specialist and examinations using modern equipment.This allows you to accurately make a diagnosis and make sure that it is osteochondrosis and not another disease.
After making a diagnosis, the doctor can use the following methods of therapy:
- medication aimed at relieving pain symptoms;
- physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and reflexology;
- manual therapy and therapeutic massage;
- a special course of therapeutic exercises.
Almost all the mentioned methods are not aimed at eliminating osteochondrosis as such, but at relieving inflammation and reducing the severity of pain.Elimination of pain is the main goal of treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.At the same time, manual therapy and exercise therapy can "correct" the spine, increase the distance between the vertebrae and prevent compression.However, the patient is obliged to perform therapeutic exercises at regular intervals - 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 for approximately 50% of patients.
In case of thoracic osteochondrosis, regular trips to spas are recommended.At a sanatorium, the patient receives full-fledged complex therapy that combines medicine, 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 an inpatient setting.But if the symptoms are not serious, it is not necessary to go to the hospital.In this case, home care becomes of 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 of pain and inflammation, relief of symptoms of the disease.Therefore, in the treatment of osteochondrosis with folk medicine, decoctions, ointments, compresses and infusions of herbs and plants are used, which have a soothing, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.
What medicinal mixtures are recommended to brew instead of tea and drink for osteochondrosis?These are chamomile, calendula, sage, birch leaves, strawberry leaves and mature viburnum.In addition, these mixtures can be mixed with each other - an aromatic hot drink made from two or three different herbs gives a noticeable effect.
Decoction is brewed in the same way as tea - a tablespoon of a medicinal plant is poured into a glass of warm water, infused and taken internally two to three times a day.Along with taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs, it is recommended to drink soothing infusions of motherwort, lavender, valerian - stress, inevitable during the course of the disease, can further aggravate the symptoms.
In addition to medicinal decoctions, baths with medicinal additives are used - for example, extracts of celandine, plantain and pine needles have a soothing and warming effect.This bath relieves muscle spasms, improves blood flow between inflamed discs in the spine and removes inflammation.
Compresses, ointments and rubbing are not recommended for use during periods of acute pain.However, they can be used during a break in the illness.For example, it is popular to rub with mustard-camphor ointment - 50 grams of mustard and camphor are diluted with 100 milliliters of alcohol and 100 grams of raw egg white, stirred until smooth.The ointment is applied to the back for two weeks at night - the top of the treated area must be covered with a woolen cloth.
What to do in case of exacerbation?
What is considered a worsening of the disease?This term refers to severe pain.If the patient feels noticeable discomfort, well-known lower back and dull pain in the chest area, radiating to the peritoneum, lower back and arms, then it is time to pay maximum attention to your disease.
During an exacerbation it is recommended:
- avoid hypothermia and stress;
- staying in stationary positions as little as possible, where the load on the spine remains;
- apply gentle compresses and ointments to the affected area that are not too harsh;
- gently massage even the affected areas - but avoid applying strong pressure;
- continue physiotherapy as far as possible - but only if this does not lead to increased pain.
In case of acute complications, bed rest is also recommended.If excruciating pain occurs, hospitalization may even be necessary.But in most cases, exacerbations of thoracic osteochondrosis can be stopped at home, especially if you combine a gentle regimen with taking medication prescribed by a specialist.
The main condition for the aggravation of osteochondrosis is the lack of physical activity.Inflamed intervertebral discs need maximum rest - then the deterioration can be dealt with quickly.