The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the breast are manifested in one way or another in a large number of people, as this disease is very common. Contrary to the belief that joint problems can only occur 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 where the discs between the vertebrae begin to separate in the thoracic region. Because of this, the distance between the vertebral bodies is reduced and this is followed by a violation of the nervous tissue, which leads to severe pain. It is worth knowing that it is the thoracic spine that is at least at risk of developing osteochondrosis due to the fact that it is rigidly attached to the sides. However, if such a disease occurs, the upper back, ie 12 thoracic vertebrae, is involved in the pathological process. Most often, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are caused by 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
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on many factors. These include:
- the stage of the disease - whether it is in the 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 - chest pain.
- Damage to the nerve endings, the appearance of hallucinations.
- Changes in the heart muscle that prevent the pain from going away after the use of nitroglycerin.
- Pulmonary congestion and hypoxia.
- Abdominal syndrome.
It is worth examining in more detail the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest area, which will allow to identify the causes of the discomfort in time and get rid of them.
Pressure on the back or chest that prevents breathing
The compression is felt in both the chest and the back and the pathology itself does not allow a person to take a deep breath. Otherwise, when he takes a deep breath, the person feels intense pain, which makes him 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 normal 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 arm.
Repetitive sensations of 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 accompanied by hallucinations. They are manifested in the form of numbness of the skin areas, tingling, decreased sensitivity, as well as a feeling as if the skin is "crawling". This is due to the compression of the nerve endings.
Reduced temperature of the lower extremities
Due to a disease such as osteochondrosis, the level of blood supply to the extremities can be reduced. This will cause a constant feeling of coldness in the extremities, 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 site, for various reasons. It is worth knowing who is at risk to be especially careful about your health.
Hereditary predisposition
A person whose family has had cases of osteochondrosis is more likely to get sick. However, the presence of osteochondrosis in close relatives will not necessarily cause such a disease.
Elevated weights
Heavy loads on the spine cause increased damage to the structures of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the risk of spinal cord injuries and various diseases, including osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, increases.
Inaction 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 illness. To avoid osteochondrosis in this case, it is enough to do exercises and do not neglect the 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 osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. This can lead to the spine starting to bend and various types of inflammation occur, including osteochondrosis.
Wound
An injured person can lead to various consequences, it will all depend on how severely the structures of the spine are injured. Osteochondrosis in the future can lead to:
- outbursts;
- fractures?
- cracks?
- damage to the soft tissues of the back in the chest area.
- etc . .
If you are injured, do not hesitate to visit the hospital, as injuries that do not heal in time are likely to have serious consequences.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Treatment for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be prescribed by an experienced neurologist. A competent approach necessarily includes an integrated approach to disease relief. You will need to be treated with medication, special exercises and exercise and a visit to the massage therapist's office will also be effective.
Medicines
If you experience osteochondrosis, you will be prescribed medication for:
- relaxation of tense muscles - muscle relaxants.
- Inflammation relief - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Strengthening the intervertebral discs and improving the quality of cartilage tissues - cartilage protectors.
The doctor determines the time of admission and the dosage separately, as only in this case, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the breast at home will be effective.
Excercise
Exercises begin at a stage when inflammation and acute pain subside. They aim at stretching the back muscles, relieving tension, strengthening the muscular corset and restoring the structures to their previous mobility. The set of exercises will be selected 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 can not act as an independent type of treatment, as they are not able to relieve inflammation, but can significantly improve well-being in combination with medication and exercise. To maximize the effect, it is best to visit a professional massage therapist. He knows everything about the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest and will be able, based on the doctor's prescriptions, to choose the optimal movements and options for affecting the soft tissues, something that 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 onset of osteochondrosis of the chest, it is better to avoid such a situation. The following tips will help you with this:
- Exercise a lot - run in the morning, swim in the pool, warm up and walk.
- If the work is related to a long stay in one place, straighten your back and relax your shoulders, while not forgetting to warm up periodically.
- for living room, choose a chair with an anatomical back.
- for sleep, it is better to choose an orthopedic mattress and a special pillow.
- Do not lift 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 the most trace elements and vitamins.
All of this will help prevent 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.