A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis is quite common, but it is much less common than other forms of this disease.Initially, it appears without significant symptoms, so it is often diagnosed in a complicated form, when the pain becomes obvious.
Occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis
In modern medicine, the causes of osteochondrosis of the chest have not yet been determined.Although there are factors whose influence is considered an indirect cause of the occurrence.They are as follows:
- Inheritance.If your closest relatives have been exposed to such a disease, there is a high probability that sooner or later it will be felt.For this reason, when collecting anamnesis, doctors ask about genetic diseases suffered by relatives.
- The changes that the body undergoes as a result of growth and aging.Intervertebral discs inevitably undergo metamorphosis, depending on the shrinkage of hydrophilic tissues and a decrease in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate.
- Back injuries are acquired once or become chronic.The last option is typical for professional athletes or people whose activities involve heavy physical activity.
- Microcirculation disorders in the spine.It 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 back, advanced disease can lead to damage to the liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart and intestinal diseases.Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest is felt when there is pain between the ribs, painful sensations when exhaling and inhaling, discomfort when moving the arms up and bending the torso.
The form of osteochondrosis is most often determined by pain between the ribs, which makes breathing difficult.The pain is felt much stronger at night, with hypothermia, tremors, bending and turning of the body.Often such symptoms are attributed to heart diseases, the differences are that with diseases of the spine, the pain appears for a longer period of time and nitroglycerin does not eliminate them.Heart disease can cause a "jump" in blood pressure, which does not happen with osteochondrosis.
Dorsago and dorsalgia
Dorsago is a sharp pain in the chest that appears suddenly.It is most often manifested in those people who are in a sitting, bent position for a long time.
It can be noticed when you stand up suddenly after sitting for a long time.The pain is very intense - so much so that breathing becomes difficult.An increase in muscle tension occurs, leading to a reduction in movements in various parts of the spine.
Darsalgia has no particularly pronounced manifestations for 3 weeks.Accompanied by more unpleasant than painful sensations.Severe pain can occur only with deep sighs, twists and bends.There may be increased muscle tension and stiffness in the upper and lower back.
As with dorsago, the feeling of pain worsens at night.
To eliminate the pain, you need to walk a little.
It is also possible to have symptoms that make it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis.With diseases in the upper chest segment, pain can appear in the pharynx and esophagus.When the middle part of the spine is touched, sensations arise 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 appear.
During the study, specialists established a connection between pain and physical activity.Most often, the pain appears after lunch, intensifies at night, but subsides after a healthy night's sleep.You should not delay the treatment of this disease, as it can lead to more serious pathologies of other organs and systems.The most dangerous of them is cardiovascular pathology, as well as dystrophic modifications of the heart muscle.Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause interruptions in the functioning of the duodenum and intestinal motility disorders.
Diagnosing
The main diagnostic method used to identify the pathology of osteochondrosis is radiographic examination.The following symptoms are characteristic of this pathology:
- degenerative movement;
- reduction of the spinal canal;
- reduction in the height of the intervertebral discs, the formation of uneven contours;
- bone growths;
- the spine significantly changes its shape.
In some particularly complex cases, the use of computed tomography is permissible.But there is a high risk of exposure to radiation during this procedure, and therefore, if there is no urgent need for it, then it is better to refrain from such a diagnosis.
The neurologist also performs several studies to determine possible disorders of the nervous system.Procedures include electroneuromyography and observation of tendon reflexes.Cardiographic observations are carried out to trace the degree of impact of the disease on the functioning of the heart.Such studies can predict the occurrence of ischemic pathology and it will be possible to control blood pressure.
Treatment
After the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe the following drugs:
- NSAIDs.They are prescribed to eliminate pain.
- It is possible to take corticosteroids, but only in case of severe pain.If the pain is not of sufficient intensity, then its elimination is limited to taking non-steroidal drugs.
- Diuretics to relieve swelling.
- B vitamins are used to stimulate blood circulation.
- Chondroprotectors are prescribed for the regeneration of 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 believe or are simply not supportive of pharmacological treatments, there are several other methods that exclude the use of drugs.These include acupuncture, electrophoresis, laser, cigar, vacuum, manual therapy, traditional and cupping massage.For such treatment to be effective, it is necessary to contact specially trained specialists with experience in this field.Properly chosen treatment methods will help stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and relieve pain.Correct physical activity is required, including therapeutic exercises and swimming.A very important factor in recovery is proper nutrition.
Osteochondrosis of any form and the chest region in particular is a very unpleasant pathology.When the first symptoms appear, it is important to contact a specialist at the right time so that he can choose the right treatment.Delay can lead to worsening of the disease.