A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis is quite common, but is much less common than other forms of this disease.Initially, it occurs without pronounced symptoms, so it is often diagnosed in a complicated form, when the pain becomes noticeable.
The occurrence of thoracic osteochondrosis
In modern medicine, the causes of osteochondrosis of the chest have not yet been established.Although there are factors whose influence is considered to be indirect causes of occurrence.They are as follows:
- Heredity.If your closest relatives have been exposed to such a disease, there is a high probability that sooner or later it will make itself felt.For this reason, when collecting anamnesis, doctors ask about genetic diseases suffered by relatives.
- Changes that the body undergoes as a result of growing up and aging.Intervertebral discs inevitably undergo metamorphoses, depending on the contraction of hydrophilic tissues and a decrease in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate.
- Back injuries received once or become chronic.The latter option is typical for professional athletes or people whose activities involve heavy physical activity.
- Microcirculation disorders in the spine.May be complicated by atherosclerosis.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has many different symptoms.Due to the fact that all internal organs “rest” on the spine, advanced disease can lead to damage to the liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart and intestinal diseases.Most often, osteochondrosis of the chest makes itself felt when there is pain between the ribs, painful sensations during exhalation and inhalation, 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 more strongly at night, with hypothermia, vibration, bending and turning the body.Often such symptoms are attributed to heart diseases, the differences are that with diseases of the spine, pain occurs over a longer period of time, and nitroglycerin does not eliminate them.Heart disease can cause blood pressure to “jump,” which does not happen with osteochondrosis.
Dorsago and dorsalgia
Dorsago is a sharp pain in the chest that appears unexpectedly.It most often manifests itself in those people who are in a sitting, bent position for a long time.
It can be observed when standing up suddenly after sitting for a long time.The pain is very intense - so much so that breathing becomes difficult.Increased muscle tension occurs, leading to a reduction in movements in various parts of the spine.
Darsalgia does not have particularly pronounced manifestations for 3 weeks.Accompanied by sensations that are more unpleasant than painful.Severe pain can only occur with deep sighs, turns 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.
In order to eliminate pain, you need to walk a little.
It is also possible that symptoms may occur that make it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.With disease in the upper segment of the chest, pain may appear in the pharynx and esophagus.When the middle part of the spine is affected, 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 occur.
During the study, specialists established connections 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 disruptions in the functioning of the duodenum and intestinal motility disorders.
Diagnostics
The main diagnostic method used to identify the pathology of osteochondrosis is radiographic examination.The following symptoms are characteristic of this pathology:
- degenerative movements;
- reduction of the spinal canal;
- reduction in the height of the intervertebral discs, the formation of uneven contours;
- bone growths;
- the spine changes its shape significantly.
In some particularly complex cases, the use of computed tomography is permissible.But there is a high risk of radiation exposure during this procedure, and therefore, if there is no urgent need for it, then it is better to refrain from such diagnostics.
The neurologist also conducts some studies to determine possible disorders of the nervous system.Procedures include electroneuromyography and observation of tendon reflexes.Cardiographic observations are carried out in order to trace the degree of influence of the disease on the functioning of the heart.Such studies can predetermine the appearance of ischemic pathology, and it will be possible to control blood pressure.
Treatment
After diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- NSAIDs.They are prescribed to eliminate pain.
- It is possible to take corticosteroids, but only in case of severe pain.If the pain does not have 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 disease.For those who do not trust or are simply not a supporter 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 imperative to contact specially trained specialists with experience in this field.Properly selected treatment methods will help stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and relieve pain.Correct physical activity is required, including therapeutic exercises and swimming.A fairly important factor in recovery is proper nutrition.
Osteochondrosis of any form and the thoracic region in particular is a very unpleasant pathology.When the first symptoms appear, it is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner so that he can select the appropriate treatment.Delay may lead to worsening of the disease.