Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease of the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. The disease is quite rare. Chest osteochondrosis is similar in symptoms to other diseases and is difficult to diagnose. For this, it is called the "chameleon disease".
How does osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occur?
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs due to a violation of metabolic processes and an increase in the load on the intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc is made up of the fibrous ring, which acts as a hard shell for the semi-liquid nucleus pulposus.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine disrupts the normal structure of the intervertebral disc. In the event of disease, the core dries up and loses its shock-absorbing property and the fibrous ring thins and cracks. As a result, the spinal nerve roots are violated and inflamed, causing pain. The disease destroys the intervertebral discs, joints and ligaments of the spine.
The general principle is always the same, but the factors that cause increased stress on the intervertebral discs can vary. These include:
- prolonged vibration effect on the spine (for example, in drivers who often drive a vehicle);
- physical stress;
- physical inactivity, also known as a sedentary lifestyle;
- to smoke;
- overweight, obesity;
- individual abnormalities in the structure of the spine;
- congenital manifestation of narrowing of the spinal canal;
- somatic or spondilogeno muscle pain;
- asymmetry of the joint spaces in the intervertebral joints;
- psychosocial factors.
Classification of varieties of thoracic osteochondrosis
There are several types of osteochondrosisthoracic spine - symptoms and treatmentcan vary greatly.
The classification is carried out according to which nerve endings are affected by the damaged structures of the spine. It is customary to distinguish the following types of pathology:
- Reflex. It is based on reflex muscle tension, as well as on vascular or dystrophic disorders.
- My adaptive. It is also known as "overload".
- Compression. The cause of its development is usually the deformation, tension or compression of a part of the spinal cord, nerve root or blood vessel, which leads to undesirable consequences.
Thoracic osteochondrosis symptoms
Chest osteochondrosis is less pronounced than in other types of osteochondrosis. There are the following signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- chest pain that worsens at night, with a long stay in one position, cooling, turning, bending to the side, intense physical exertion;
- pain between the shoulder blades, when lifting the right or left arm, bending;
- increased pain with deep inhalation and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs while walking;
- feeling as if the chest and back are being squeezed by a circle.
Pain during an exacerbation of the disease can last several weeks.
There are additional symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- numbness of some areas of the skin, feeling of "goosebumps";
- itching, burning, cold sensation in the legs;
- peeling of the skin, brittle nails;
- pain in the pharynx and esophagus;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by two symptoms: back and back.
Dorsago and back pain - manifestations of the disease
Dorsago is a sharp sharp pain in the chest, "back pain in the chest". It usually occurs after monotonous work in the same position. During an attack of such pain, it is difficult to breathe. The pain is made worse by turning the upper body.
Back pain - mild pain in the area of the affected intervertebral discs, begins gradually and lasts up to 2-3 weeks. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing and bending over. The patient may be out of breath. The pain gets worse at night and disappears after a short walk.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the chest
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs more often in people who:
- work on the computer;
- they drive constantly;
- received spinal injuries;
- have weak back muscles;
- suffer from scoliosis and other posture disorders.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other types of the disease - cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis. The reason is that this part of the spine is the least mobile and the most protected thanks to the ribs and the muscular corset. There are more discs in the thoracic region than in the cervical and lumbar regions combined.
What is dangerous thoracic osteochondrosis
Without proper and timely treatment, thoracic osteochondrosis can cause the following diseases:
- protrusion and herniation of the thoracic spine;
- compression of the spinal cord;
- problems with the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and pancreas;
- disorders of the duodenum, intestinal motility, dyskinesia of the gallbladder;
- Intercostal neuralgia - compression or irritation of the intercostal nerves.
Also, the consequences of this pathology include diseases of the stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, lungs. But the heart is still at greater risk for this disease, so if you have already had some problems with it, we strongly recommend that you contact the clinic's specialists in a timely manner and implement it as quickly as possible. treatment of the thoracic spine.
What can be confused with osteochondrosis of the chest
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are diverse, it is easy to confuse it with the following diseases:
- angina, heart attack. Difference: after taking heart medications, chest pain does not go away, the patient's cardiogram is normal;
- appendicitis, cholecystitis, renal colic;
- gastritis, ulcer, colitis;
- other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (including diverticulitis, chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel syndrome);
- neoplastic processes;
- inflammatory processes;
- diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis or urolithiasis);
- pathology of the mammary glands;
- pneumonia. Inflammation of the lungs is distinguished from osteochondrosis by cough, shortness of breath and fever.
It is impossible to make a correct diagnosis on your own. Only a specialist can determine osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis
Specialists of a professional clinic will distinguish thoracic osteochondrosis from other diseases and make an accurate diagnosis using the following diagnostic methods:
- magnetic resonance. Magnetic resonance
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Full body medical examination (check-up)
- Analysis of the bioimpedance of the body as part of the "Smart Weight Loss" program.
- Laboratory research
TOthoracic osteochondrosis of the spine treatmentit can be supplemented with a foot or back massage. In addition, conservative maintenance drug therapy with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics is periodically prescribed. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed a paravertebral block with novocaine. Each case is individual, so the approach to each patient must be special so that the therapy is effective and the problem does not make itself felt in the future.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic offers a versatile therapeutic effect:
- improves blood circulation and nutrition of the intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of disks, restores their structure;
- relieves inflammation of the nerve roots;
- relaxes the tense muscles of the back and chest;
- restores the biomechanics of the spine;
- prevents complications in the form of protrusions and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- strengthens the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, respiratory muscles;
- corrects posture;
- stimulates the immune system.
After completing the course, your doctor will provide you with a manual with the exercises you need to perform on your own. Your doctor will advise you on how to adjust your lifestyle so that chest pain no longer bother you.
Prevention
We recommend for disease prevention:
- lie down for 40-50 minutes during the day - this will relieve the load from the spine;
- if you work a lot on the computer, change your position, get up from your chair every 2 hours, do a couple of tilts in different directions, stretch, straighten your shoulders;
- practice water sports: swimming, diving, water aerobics;
- do not overcool, keep your back warm;
- regularly do the following exercise: lying on your stomach, put your hands on the floor and lean back. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 8-10 times.
It is also highly recommended that you keep your body weight at the correct level and give up bad habits (including smoking).
Nutrition for thoracic osteochondrosis
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, it is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions. Adhere to the following principles of nutrition:
- most often use jelly, jelly, fish jelly, jelly. They contain chondroprotectors involved in the synthesis of cartilage;
- your diet should be 1/3 protein. They can be obtained from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, soybeans, seeds, beans, nuts, aubergines;
- eat more fresh fruits and vegetables - cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, parsley, cauliflower and white cabbage, peppers, broccoli, celery;
- boiled and steamed, gray bread, rye bran are welcome;
- osteochondrosis requires calcium. Contains dairy products, almonds, nettles, watercress, rose hips;
- include in the diet sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, raw spinach, bean pods - they are rich in magnesium;
- cooking dishes of lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals: they contain vitamin B;
- season salads with olive oil;
- it is recommended to eat whole grains of wheat, millet, corn, buckwheat, barley;
- limit the use of grapes and vegetables of the legume family, concentrated broths;
- eat less salty, smoked foods, products based on flour, sugar, hot spices.