The symptoms of breast osteochondrosis manifest in one way or another in a large number of people, as this disease is very common. Despite 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 you need to know about osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?
Osteochondrosis is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae begin to divide in the thoracic region. Because of this, the distance between the vertebral bodies is reduced, and this is followed by damage to the nerve tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is worth noting that it is the thoracic spine that is least at risk of developing osteochondrosis due to the fact that it is rigidly fixed by the ribs. But if such a disease nevertheless develops, the upper back, respectively 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. Most often, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are manifested by the fact that inflammation occurs in the upper vertebrae. The degree 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. This includes:
- disease stage - whether it is in an acute stage, or is in remission;
- how old the patient is;
- as 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 - soreness in the chest area.
- Damage to nerve endings, the appearance of paresthesias.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent pain relief after using nitroglycerin.
- Lung congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
It is worth considering in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest region, which will make it possible to identify the causes of anxiety in time and remove them.
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 a person to breathe deeply. Otherwise, when he takes a deep breath, the person feels severe pain, which makes him stop trying.
Difficulty turning (tilting) the luggage
Due to the fact that the disease manifests itself in severe pain, a person experiences considerable discomfort from ordinary movements. It is impossible to turn the torso and bend, you have to turn with the whole body, and the person also has problems raising his hand up.
Repeated body numbness
If you do not know what symptoms and sensations occur with osteochondrosis of the chest, you should know that the disease is often associated with paresthesia. They manifest in the form of numbness of areas of the skin, tingling sensation, decreased sensitivity, as well as a feeling as if the skin is "creeping". This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Lower the temperature of the lower limbs
Due to a disease such as osteochondrosis, the blood supply level of the limbs may decrease. This will cause a constant feeling of coldness in the limb, which the doctor will notice during the examination.
Causes of occurrence
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs, the symptoms and treatment of which are described on this page, for a variety of reasons. It is worth knowing who is at risk in order to be particularly attentive to 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.
Elevated weights
Large loads on the spine cause increased consumption of the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risks of spinal cord injuries and various diseases of it, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, increase.
Inactivity leading to physical inactivity
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 disease. To avoid osteochondrosis in this case, it is enough to do exercises and not to neglect walks in the fresh air.
Bending 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 all depends on the severe damage to the back structures. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- dislocations;
- fracture;
- cracks;
- damage to the soft tissues of the spine in the chest region;
- etc.
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that are not healed in a timely manner are likely to provoke 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 medication, special exercises and gymnastics, and a visit to the massage therapist’s office will also be effective.
dope
If you have experienced manifestations of osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed medication for:
- tense muscle relaxation - muscle relaxants;
- relieving inflammation - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory;
- strengthening intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage tissue - chondroprotectors.
The doctor determines the time of admission and the dose individually, as only in this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest at home will be effective.
Exercise therapy
Exercises begin at a stage when inflammation and acute pain subside. They aim to stretch the back muscles, relieve tension, strengthen the muscular corset and return the structures to their previous movement. The group 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 to get rid of osteochondrosis. They may not act as an independent type of treatment, as they are unable to alleviate inflammation, but they can significantly improve well-being in combination with medication and exercise. To maximize the result, it is better to visit a professional massage therapist. He knows everything 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 to affect the soft tissues, which will improve your condition. Massage improves blood and lymph flow to the tissues, relaxes tense muscles and tones muscles that are less stressed than others.
prevention
In order not to think about what are the signs of the appearance of osteochondrosis in the chest, it is better to prevent such a condition. The following tips will help you with this:
- do a lot of exercise yourself - morning jogging, swimming in the pool, warming up and walking;
- if work is accompanied by a long stay in one position, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while not forgetting to warm up periodically;
- for sitting, choose a chair with an anatomical back;
- to sleep, it is better to choose an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow;
- do not lift too many heavy loads, it is better to carry a heavy load in parts than at one time;
- do abscess exercises;
- prefer comfortable shoes;
- Balance your diet - it should contain maximum 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, consult a doctor immediately.