A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis is quite common, but much rarer than other forms of this disease.It initially occurs without any pronounced symptoms and is therefore often diagnosed in a complicated form when the pain becomes noticeable.
The appearance of thoracic osteochondrosis
In modern medicine, the causes of osteochondrosis of the breast have not yet been clarified.However, there are factors whose influence is viewed as an indirect cause.They are as follows:
- Inheritance.If your close relatives have been exposed to such a disease, there is a high probability that it will make itself felt sooner or later.For this reason, doctors ask about genetic diseases in relatives when taking anamnesis.
- Changes that the body undergoes as it grows up and ages.Intervertebral discs inevitably undergo metamorphosis, depending on the contraction of hydrophilic tissues and a decrease in chondroitin sulfate synthesis.
- Back injuries occur once or become chronic.The latter option is typical for professional athletes or people whose activities involve heavy physical activity.
- Microcirculation disorders in the spine.Can be complicated by atherosclerosis.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has many different symptoms.Due to the fact that all internal organs “rest” on the spine, advanced disease can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart and intestinal diseases.Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest becomes noticeable when pain occurs between the ribs, painful sensations when exhaling and inhaling, discomfort when moving the arms up and bending the trunk.
The form of osteochondrosis is most often determined by pain between the ribs, which makes breathing difficult.At night the pain is felt much more strongly, with hypothermia, vibration, bending and turning of the body.Such symptoms are often attributed to heart disease.The difference is that with diseases of the spine, pain occurs for a long period of time, and nitroglycerin does not eliminate it.Heart disease can lead to a “jump” in blood pressure, which is not the case with osteochondrosis.
Dorsago and dorsalgia
Dorsago is a sharp pain in the chest that occurs unexpectedly.It most often manifests itself in people who are in a sitting, hunched position for a long time.
It can be observed when one suddenly stands up after sitting for a long time.The pain is so severe that breathing becomes difficult.There is increased muscle tension, which leads to restriction of movements in various parts of the spine.
Darsalgia does not show particularly pronounced manifestations for 3 weeks.Accompanied by sensations that are more unpleasant than painful.Severe pain can only occur with deep sighs, twists and bends.Increased muscle tension and stiffness in the upper and lower back may occur.
As with Dorsago, the feeling of pain worsens at night.
To eliminate pain you need to walk a little.
It is also possible to experience symptoms that make a correct diagnosis difficult.Diseases in the upper chest area may cause pain in the throat and esophagus.If the middle part of the spine is affected, sensations appear in the area of the right hypochondrium, which is also a symptom of pancreatitis, cholecystitis and other diseases.With osteochondrosis of the lower thoracic region, symptoms similar to intestinal pathology occur.
During the study, specialists found connections between pain and physical activity.Most often, the pain occurs after lunch, increases at night, but subsides after a good night's sleep.You should not delay the treatment of this disease, as it can lead to more serious diseases of other organs and systems.The most dangerous are cardiovascular diseases and dystrophic changes in the heart muscle.Thoracic osteochondrosis can lead to dysfunction of the duodenum and disorders of intestinal motility.
diagnosis
The main diagnostic method for identifying the pathology of osteochondrosis is X-ray examination.The following symptoms are characteristic of this pathology:
- degenerative movements;
- Reduction of the spinal canal;
- Reduction in the height of the intervertebral discs, the formation of uneven contours;
- bone growth;
- The spine changes shape significantly.
In some particularly complex cases, the use of computer tomography is permitted.However, there is a high risk of radiation exposure with this procedure.If there is no urgent need, it is better to avoid such diagnostics.
The neurologist also carries out some tests to identify possible disorders of the nervous system.Procedures include electroneuromyography and observation of tendon reflexes.To determine the influence of the disease on cardiac function, cardiographic observations are carried out.Such studies can predict the occurrence of ischemic pathology and it will be possible to control blood pressure.
Treatment
After the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- NSAIDs.They are prescribed to eliminate pain.
- Taking corticosteroids is possible, but only if the pain is severe.If the pain is not sufficiently intense, its elimination is limited to taking non-steroidal drugs.
- Diuretics to relieve swelling.
- B vitamins are used to stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors are prescribed to regenerate damaged cartilage.
Ointments for the treatment of this form of osteochondrosis are not as effective as they should be and are more suitable for other types of diseases.For those who do not trust or simply do not support pharmacological treatments, there are several other methods that exclude the use of medication.These include acupuncture, electrophoresis, laser, cigar, vacuum, manual therapy, traditional massage and cupping massage.In order for such treatment to be effective, it is imperative to contact specially trained specialists with experience in this field.Properly selected treatment methods help stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and relieve pain.Adequate physical activity is required, including therapeutic exercise and swimming.A fairly important factor in recovery is proper nutrition.
Osteochondrosis of any form and especially of the thoracic region is a very unpleasant pathology.When the first symptoms appear, it is important to contact a specialist in good time so that he or she can choose the appropriate treatment.A delay can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.