Osteochondrosis of the chest is a disease that causes the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue, as a result of which a person eventually loses the ability to perform normal activities. Improper treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine leads not only to a change in the structure of certain elements, but also to their complete destruction.
Characteristics of the disease
Often such pathologies are formed on the background of this disease as:
- infertility;
- malignant neoplasms; atherosclerosis; prostatitis.
Osteochondrosis of the chest initially affects the skeletal system. If the pathology occurs in children and adolescents, then the spinal column begins to collapse even before the complete formation of the body. This disease affects both sexes equally, regardless of the patient's age.
Reasons
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic region occurs for various reasons, however, there are certain factors that specifically provoke the pathology, such as:
- damage to intervertebral discs;
- hernia;
- destruction of cartilage tissue;
- violation of blood microcirculation in the spinal cord.
Pathology can also occur due to lack of calcium in the body, weight lifting, and it can also be formed due to a sedentary lifestyle and insufficient activity. Previous injuries, as well as various types of curvature of the spine, can cause the appearance of the disease.
The psychosomatics of the disease have begun to be recognized recently. Some doctors assign psychosomatics one of the main places in the occurrence of pathology. The link between illness and mental health is strong enough. Psychosomatics can cause very strong painful sensations that are almost impossible to remove.
The patient may look completely healthy, but in any case he is tormented by intense pain. If a person leads a correct lifestyle, but in any case is worried about this unpleasant disease, then it is necessary to pay attention to psychosomatics, because the main reason may be psychological. In the presence of dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction with their life, the person begins to bend over, his head falls and a violation of posture is noticed, as a result of which pathology of the spine can occur. Psychosomatics have a detrimental effect on the condition of the spine and can cause serious complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women and men are manifested in the initial stages in the form of painful sensations in the spine and inflammation. In the initial stage, painful feelings appear exclusively with movements or prolonged exertion. If the patient is stopped for a while, the pain disappears immediately.
There are also quite characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which manifest themselves in the form:
- chest pain;
- narrowing;
- numbness in some parts of the body.
There are other signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which are increasingly developing with the worsening of the pathological process. With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, painful sensations in the area of the shoulder blades can occur. There is a burning sensation or, conversely, cold skin. When you cough or inhale deeply enough, the pain can get significantly worse.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in women and men can manifest as pain in the arms and legs, as well as numbness in certain parts of the skin. Constant muscle tension in the back or sternum may occur. The patient experiences a certain feeling of discomfort when turning or bending the body.
Important!Knowing how thoracic osteochondrosis manifests, you can quickly determine the presence of the disease and conduct competent specialized treatment to help you get rid of the manifestations of the pathology.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine can also appear in the form of dry skin, increased fragility of nails, as well as disorders in the activity of the stomach and intestines. All of these manifestations are caused by pinched nerve endings between the vertebrae. In addition, there may be quite uncharacteristic signs of osteochondrosis in the chest, which manifest itself in the form of pain in the abdomen, liver, heart. Because the disease manifests itself in completely different ways, in the presence of certain signs it can be confused with other pathological conditions. It is therefore important to conduct a comprehensive examination of the entire body to determine what can cause painful sensations.
Pain is divided into several different types, and the most dangerous is dorsalgia of the thoracic spine, because this type of pain is very difficult to treat and gives the patient many unpleasant painful sensations.
Knowing how to determine osteochondrosis, it is possible to recognize the presence of pathology in the initial stages, which allows you to quickly eliminate the existing problem and return to normal life.
Treatment
Before determining the treatment of osteochondrosis in the chest, it is necessary to find out what could cause the pathology and stop the acute attack of pain. When preparing a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you should rely on the data of a thorough diagnostic examination based on X-rays. Such an examination allows you to determine the existing disorders that occur in the area of all parts of the spine and the growth of the vertebral body. In addition, X-rays show a change in the distance between the intervertebral discs.
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis largely depends on the stage of the pathology and is mainly carried out with the help of conservative therapy, and only in exceptional cases is surgery resorted to.
Drug Therapy
Many people ask how to quickly cure degenerative chest disease so that it does not cause complications and which doctor treats degenerative disc disease. Basically, the treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis depends on the symptoms and is carried out with the use of medication.
Drug therapy is based on principles such as:
- taking vitamin complexes;
- naming muscle relaxants and antispasmodics that eliminate muscle cramps;
- painkillers and analgesics.
In addition, the treatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosis involves the use of chondroprotectors. These drugs are needed to repair damaged cartilage tissue.
After removing the acute period of the course of the disease, a massage of the back muscles is applied. Manual therapy, just like the use of medications, is chosen exclusively by the doctor based on the results of the examination.
It is necessary to comprehensively treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, and the duration of therapy largely depends on the severity of the pathology, as well as on the characteristics of the age changes that have occurred.
Gymnastics
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis involves therapeutic exercise, which involves the return of intervertebral joint mobility. With a properly selected gymnastic complex, you can quickly eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest, and even the most severe cramps.
In the presence of osteochondrosis in women, treatment involves a daily set of therapeutic exercises. .
Massage
Treatment of osteochondrosis during breastfeeding involves only the implementation of a therapeutic complex of gymnastics, as well as massage, because many drugs are prohibited during feeding. Massage not only helps to reduce the severity of the symptoms of the disease, but also helps to improve well-being.
Massage is prescribed strictly individually, depending on the characteristics of the pathology, the presence of chronic diseases, available indications and contraindications.
In order to eliminate hypertonicity during osteochondrosis of the spine, in order to eliminate back mobility, manual therapy techniques are widely used. Thanks to that, it is possible to improve blood microcirculation, as well as improve tissue oxygenation.
Knowing what osteochondrosis is and what to do when this pathology occurs, you can quickly improve your health and get rid of painful manifestations in the thoracic region.
Exercises
Many patients are interested in how to cure osteochondrosis of the chest and what methods are used for therapy. Depending on the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and appropriate treatment, aimed at relaxing and strengthening all muscle groups. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the patient's condition and quickly eliminate osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
It is quite possible to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine with the help of specially selected exercises.
You must stand up straight, feet together and place your hands on your torso. As you inhale, raise your arms and stretch, and as you exhale, bend back slightly. Do 8-10 reps. Sit in a chair, gently place your hands behind your head, and then gradually bend backwards. Stand on all fours and try to bend your back as much as possible, as in the photo, stay in this position for literally a few seconds.
Knowing how to treat osteochondrosis in the chest at home, you can quickly remove the existing signs of the disease and achieve long-term remission.
Peculiarities of therapy during exacerbation
The symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis during exacerbations can be very different, which is why it is important to know how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine so that an acute attack can be stopped quickly.
Self-medication should not be practiced during this period, because in the case of osteochondrosis of the chest, which passes in the acute phase, improper actions can lead to dangerous consequences. It is very important to know which doctor is treating osteochondrosis and which medications to take. During this period, it is important to consult a neurologist and rule out stress, hypothermia and difficult working conditions.
Prevention
Knowing how osteochondrosis manifests and what exactly triggered the disease, you can quickly eliminate the existing problem and return to full life. In order not to wonder whether the disease can be cured, it is necessary to carry out the prevention of pathology.
Prevention of thoracic osteochondrosis involves regular warm-ups, frequent changes of posture during work, and it is also important to avoid heavy loads on the spine, eat properly and monitor your weight. Prevention of osteochondrosis in men and women will avoid the creation of this dangerous disease.
Complications and Consequences
Many patients are interested in the danger of osteochondrosis in the chest and how to get rid of this disease very quickly. The consequences of osteochondrosis in the chest can be very serious and in the initial stages manifest themselves in the form of severe pain, dizziness and fainting.
Sometimes the consequences of osteochondrosis of the chest can be more serious, because they lead to disorders of the heart muscle and lungs. The danger of this disease also lies in the appearance of intervertebral hernias. In order not to wonder what the danger of osteochondrosis is, it is necessary to treat and prevent the disease in a timely manner.