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 conduct usual activities. Incorrect treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine leads not only to a change in the structure of its individual elements, but also to their complete destruction.
Features of the disease
Often, against the background of this disease, such pathologies are formed as:
- infertility;
- malignant neoplasms;
- atherosclerosis;
- prostatitis.
Osteochondrosis of the chest at the initial stage 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 a variety of reasons, however, there are certain factors that provoke the formation of pathology, in particular such as:
- damage to the intervertebral discs;
- hernia;
- destruction of cartilage tissue;
- violation of blood microcirculation in the spinal cord.
Pathology can also occur due to a lack of calcium in the body, lifting weights, and can also be formed due to a sedentary lifestyle and insufficient activity. Previous injuries, as well as various kinds of curvature of the spinal column, can provoke the onset of the disease.
The psychosomatics of the disease began to be recognized quite 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 provoke very strong painful sensations that are almost impossible to eliminate.
The patient may look perfectly healthy, but in any case he is tormented by intense pain. If a person leads a correct lifestyle, but in any case he is worried about this unpleasant disease, then it is imperative to pay attention to psychosomatics, since the main reason may be psychological. In the presence of resentment and dissatisfaction with his life, a person begins to hunch down, his head drops and a violation of posture is observed, as a result of which a pathology of the spinal column may form. Psychosomatics has a detrimental effect on the condition of the spinal column and can provoke serious complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women and men are manifested at the initial stages in the form of painful sensations in the spinal column and inflammation. At the initial stage, painful sensations appear exclusively with movements or prolonged exertion. If the patient stops for a while, then the pain immediately goes away.
There are also quite characteristic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, manifested in the form:
- chest pain;
- constriction;
- numbness in some parts of the body.
There are other signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, which are increasingly developing with the aggravation of the pathological process. With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, painful sensations can occur in the area of the shoulder blades. There is a burning sensation or vice versa cold skin. When you cough or inhale deeply enough, the pain can worsen significantly.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in women and men can manifest as pain in the arms and legs, as well as numbness in certain areas of the skin. Constant muscle tension in the back or sternum may occur. The patient experiences a certain sense of discomfort when turning or bending the body.
Important!Knowing how chest osteochondrosis manifests itself, you can quickly determine the presence of the disease and carry out competent specialized treatment that will help get rid of the manifestations of pathology.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine can also appear in the form of dry skin, increased fragility of nails, as well as disturbances in the activity of the stomach and intestines. All these manifestations are caused by pinched nerve endings between the vertebrae. In addition, there may be rather uncharacteristic signs of chest osteochondrosis, which manifest themselves in the form of pain in the abdomen, liver, heart. Since the disease manifests itself in completely different ways, in the presence of certain signs it can be confused with other pathological conditions. That is why it is important to conduct a complete examination of the whole body in order to determine what could provoke painful sensations.
Pain is divided into several different types, and the most dangerous is the dorsalgia of the thoracic spine, since this kind of pain is very difficult to treat and gives the patient a lot of 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.
Healing
Before determining how to treat chest osteochondrosis, it is necessary to find out what could provoke the formation of pathology and stop an acute attack of pain. When preparing a treatment plan that determines how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, you need to rely on the data of a thorough diagnostic examination based on X-ray. Such an examination allows you to determine the existing disorders occurring in the region of all parts of the spine and the growth of the vertebral bodies. In addition, X-ray shows the change in the distance between the intervertebral discs.
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 they resort to surgery.
Drug therapy
Many people ask themselves how to cure thoracic degenerative disc disease quickly so that it does not provoke complications and which doctor treats degenerative disc disease. Basically, the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine depends on the symptoms and is carried out with the use of medications.
Drug therapy is based on such principles as:
- taking vitamin complexes;
- the appointment of muscle relaxants and spasmolytics, eliminating muscle spasm;
- pain relievers and analgesics.
In addition, therapy for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine implies the use of chondroprotectors. These drugs are required to repair damaged cartilage tissue.
After elimination of the acute period of the course of the disease, massage of the back muscles is applied. Manual therapy, just like the use of medications, is selected exclusively by the attending doctor, based on the results of the examination.
It is necessary to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine in a comprehensive manner, and the duration of therapy largely depends on the severity of the pathology, as well as the characteristics of the age-related changes that have occurred.
Gymnastics
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis implies a therapeutic exercise, which implies the return of mobility of the intervertebral joints. With a properly selected gymnastics complex, you can very quickly eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest, and even the most severe spasms.
In the presence of osteochondrosis in women, treatment implies a daily complex of therapeutic exercises . .
Massage
Treatment of osteochondrosis with breastfeeding implies exclusively only a therapeutic complex of gymnastics, as well as massage, since many medications are prohibited during feeding. Massage helps not only 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.
To eliminate hypertonicity in the course of osteochondrosis of the spine, to eliminate the mobility of the back, manual therapy techniques are widely used. Thanks to this, 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 thoracic region and what methods are used for therapy. Depending on the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and the treatment is appropriate, targeted 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 need to stand up straight, put your feet together, and place your arms along your torso. As you inhale, raise your arms up and stretch, and as you exhale, bend back a little. Do 8-10 reps. Sit on a chair, gently put your hands behind your head, and then gradually bend back. Get 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 chest osteochondrosis at home, you can quickly eliminate the existing signs of the disease and achieve long-term remission.
Peculiarities of therapy during exacerbation
Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis during an exacerbation can be very different, which is why it is important to know how osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is treated so that an acute attack can be quickly stopped.
During this period, one should not self-medicate, since in case of chest osteochondrosis, proceeding in the acute stage, improper actions can lead to dangerous consequences. It is very important to know which doctor is treating osteochondrosis, and what drugs should be taken. During this period, it is important to consult a neurologist and exclude stress, hypothermia and difficult working conditions.
Prevention
Knowing how osteochondrosis manifests itself and what exactly triggered the onset of the disease, you can quickly eliminate the existing problem and return to a 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 implies a regular warm-up, frequent change of posture during work, and it is also important to avoid heavy loads on the spinal column, eat right and monitor your weight. Prevention of osteochondrosis in men and women will avoid the formation of this dangerous disease.
Complications and Consequences
Many patients are interested in the danger of chest osteochondrosis, and how to get rid of this disease very quickly. The consequences of chest osteochondrosis can be very serious, and in the initial stages they manifest themselves in the form of severe pain, dizziness and fainting.
Sometimes the consequences of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be more serious, as they lead to disruption of the activity of the heart muscle and lungs. The danger of this disease also lies in the occurrence of intervertebral hernias. In order not to wonder what the danger of osteochondrosis is, it is necessary to timely treat and prevent the disease.