Symptoms of breast osteochondrosis manifest themselves in one form or another 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 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 manifestations of osteochondrosis, which will be easier to eliminate at an early stage.
What do 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 thoracic region. Due to this, the distance between the vertebral bodies decreases, and this is followed by an infringement of the nervous tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is worth knowing that it is the thoracic spine that has the least risk of developing osteochondrosis because it is rigidly fixed by the ribs. But if, nevertheless, such a disease develops, the upper back, that is, 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. Most often, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine appear from the fact that 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. These include:
- the stage of the disease, either 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: pain in the chest area.
- Damage to nerve endings, appearance of paresthesia.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent pain from going away after using nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome
It is worth considering in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, which will allow to identify the causes of discomfort in time and get rid of them.
Pressure in the back or chest that prevents breathing.
Compression is felt both in the chest and in the back, and the pathology itself does not allow a person to breathe deeply. Otherwise, taking deep breaths causes the person to feel severe pain, causing them to 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 habitual movements. It is impossible to turn the torso and lean, you have to turn with the whole body and the person also has problems raising their hands.
Recurring feelings of body numbness.
If you do not know what symptoms and sensations occur with thoracic osteochondrosis, you should know that the disease is often accompanied by paresthesias. They manifest in the form of numbness of areas of the skin, tingling, decreased sensitivity, as well as a sensation as if the skin is "crawling". This is due to compression of the nerve endings.
Decreased temperature of the lower extremities.
Due to a medical condition such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the extremities may decrease. This will cause a constant feeling of coldness in the extremities, which the doctor will notice during the exam.
Causes of occurrence
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 attentive to their 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 an ailment.
Weights lifted
Large loads on the spine cause greater wear and tear on the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risks of injuries to the spine and its various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, increase.
Inactivity leading to physical inactivity
Lack of movement leads to a 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 do exercises and do not neglect walks in the fresh air.
Curvature of the spine due to poor posture.
People who have not developed correct posture may need to learn about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. 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 have various consequences, everything will depend on the severity of the injuries to the structures of the spine. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- dislocations;
- fractures
- cracks
- damage to the soft tissues of the back in the thoracic region;
- etc.
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that do not heal in a timely manner are likely to lead to serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment when diagnosing osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to getting rid of the disease. You should be treated with drugs, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the masseur's office will also be effective.
Drugs
If you are faced with manifestations of osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed drugs for:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants;
- relieve inflammation - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthen intervertebral discs and improve the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time of admission and dosage individually, since only in this case, treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis at home will be effective.
Exercise therapy
Exercises begin at a stage where inflammation and acute pain recede. They are intended to stretch the back muscles, relieve tension, strengthen the muscular corset, and return 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
Massage is one of the most effective methods to get rid of osteochondrosis. They cannot act as a stand-alone type of treatment, as they cannot 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 masseuse. He knows everything about the symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis and will be able, according to the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the optimal movements and options for influencing the soft tissues, which will improve his condition. Massage improves blood and lymphatic flow in tissues, relaxes tight muscles, and tones muscles that are less stressed than others.
Prevention
In order not to think about what are the signs of the onset of thoracic osteochondrosis, it is better to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you with this:
- get plenty of exercise: jogging in the morning, swimming in the pool, warming up and walking;
- if work is associated with a long stay in one position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while not forgetting to periodically warm up;
- to sit down, 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 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 and do not try to prevent it, immediately consult a doctor.