Thoracic osteochondrosis is a disease of the thoracic spine intervertebral discs. The disease is quite rare. Chest osteochondrosis is similar in symptoms to other diseases and is difficult to diagnose. For this, it is called "chameleon disease".
How does thoracic spine osteochondrosis occur?
Chest osteochondrosis occurs due to violation of metabolic processes and increased load on the intervertebral discs. The intervertebral disc consists of the annulus fibrosus, which serves as a strong shell for the semi-liquid pulposus nucleus.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine disrupts the normal structure of the intervertebral disc. In case of disease, the nucleus dries out and loses its shock-absorbing properties, and the fibrous ring becomes thinner and cracks. As a result, the roots of the spinal nerves are damaged 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 intervertebral discs can vary. This includes:
- prolonged effect of vibration on the spine (for example, in drivers who often drive a vehicle);
- physical stress;
- physical inactivity, also known as a sedentary lifestyle;
- smoking;
- mbipesha, mbipesha;
- individual abnormalities in the structure of the spine;
- congenital manifestation of spinal canal narrowing;
- somatic or spondylogenic muscle pain;
- asymmetry of key spaces in the intervertebral joints;
- psychosocial factors.
Classification of varieties of thoracic osteochondrosis
There are several types of osteochondrosisthoracic spine - symptoms and treatmentthey may differ markedly.
The classification is performed based on which the nerve endings are affected by the damaged structures of the spine. It is common to distinguish the following types of pathology:
- Reflex. It is based on reflex muscle tension as well as vascular or dystrophic disorders.
- Mioadaptive. 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.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
Chest osteochondrosis is less pronounced compared to other types of osteochondrosis. There are the following signs of chest osteochondrosis:
- chest pain that worsens at night, with prolonged stay in one position, cooling, turning, bending sideways, heavy physical exertion;
- pain between the edges of the shoulders, when the right or left arm is raised, bending;
- increased pain with deep suction and exhalation;
- pain between the ribs while walking;
- feeling as if the chest and back were tightened by a circle.
Pain during an exacerbation of the disease can last for several weeks.
There are additional symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- numbness of some areas of the skin, a feeling of "goose bump";
- itching, burning, feeling of coldness in the feet;
- peeling skin, brittle nails;
- pain in the pharynx and esophagus;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is characterized by two symptoms - dorsago and dorsalgia.
Dorsago and dorsalgia - manifestations of the disease
Dorsago is a sharp, sharp pain in the chest, "chest lumbago. "It usually occurs after monotonous work in the same position. During an attack of such pain, it is difficult to breathe. The pain is aggravated by the rotation of the upper body.
Dorsalgia - mild pain in the area of the affected intervertebral discs, starts gradually and lasts up to 2-3 weeks. The pain is aggravated by deep breathing and bending. The patient may be out of breath. The pain worsens at night and disappears after a short walk.
Causes of chest osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis most often occurs in people who:
- computer work;
- are constantly driving;
- has received spinal cord injuries;
- have weak back muscles;
- suffer from scoliosis and other posture disorders.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than other types of disease - cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis. The reason is that this part of the spine is less mobile and more protected thanks to the ribs and the muscular corset. There are more discs in the chest region than in the cervical and lumbar region combined.
What is dangerous osteochondrosis of the chest
Without proper treatment in time, chest osteochondrosis can cause the following diseases:
- thoracic spine elongation and hernia;
- spinal cord compression;
- problems with the heart, intestines, liver, kidneys and pancreas;
- duodenal disorders, intestinal motility, gallbladder dyskinesia;
- intercostal neuralgia - compression or irritation of nerves between the ribs.
Also, the consequences of this pathology include diseases of the stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, lungs. But the heart is still at the greatest risk for this disease, so if you have already had certain problems with it, we strongly recommend that you contact the clinic specialists immediately and implement it as soon as possible. treatment of the thoracic spine.
What can be confused with osteochondrosis of the chest
The symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are different, it is easy to confuse it with the following diseases:
- angina, heart attack. Change: after taking heart medication, chest pain does not go away, 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);
- mammary gland pathology;
- pneumonia. Pulmonary inflammation is distinguished from osteochondrosis by cough, shortness of breath, and fever.
It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis yourself. Only a specialist can diagnose osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Methods for diagnosing thoracic osteochondrosis
Specialists of a professional clinic will distinguish chest osteochondrosis from other diseases and make an accurate diagnosis using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Densitometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Daily ECG monitoring
- Comprehensive medical examination (check-up)
- Body bioimpedance analysis as part of the "Intelligent Weight Loss" program.
- Laboratory research
INtreatment of thoracic spine osteochondrosiscan be supplemented with a foot or back massage. Also, conservative therapy of maintenance drugs with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics is periodically prescribed. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed novocaine paravertebral blockade. Each case is individual, so the approach to each patient must be unique so that the therapy is effective and the problem is not felt in the future.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic gives a comprehensive therapeutic effect:
- improves blood circulation and nutrition of intervertebral discs;
- stops the destruction of disks, restores their structure;
- relieves inflammation of nerve roots;
- relaxes tense muscles of the back and chest;
- restores spinal biomechanics;
- prevents complications in the form of extensions and hernias;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- strengthens the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle, respiratory muscles;
- corrects attitude;
- stimulates the immune system.
At the end of the course, the doctor will give you a manual of exercises that you must perform yourself. Your doctor will advise you on how to adjust your lifestyle so that chest pain no longer bothers you.
prevention
For the prevention of the disease we recommend:
- lie down for 40-50 minutes during the day - this will ease the load from the spine;
- if you work a lot on the computer, change your position, get up from the chair every 2 hours, do some anime in different directions, lie down, straighten your shoulders;
- engage in water sports: swimming, diving, water gymnastics;
- do not get too cold, keep your back warm;
- do the following exercise regularly: lying on your stomach, rest 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 maintain your body weight at the right 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. Observe the following principles of nutrition:
- use jelly, jelly, jelly fish, jelly more often. They contain chondroprotectors that are involved in cartilage synthesis;
- Your diet should be 1/3 of protein. They can be obtained from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, soy, seeds, beans, nuts, eggplant;
- eat more fresh fruits and vegetables - cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, beets, parsley, cauliflower and cauliflower, peppers, broccoli, celery;
- Boiled and steamed dishes, gray, rye bread are welcome;
- osteochondrosis requires calcium. It contains dairy products, almonds, nettles, watermelon, rose hips;
- include in the diet sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados, raw spinach, beans - they are rich in magnesium;
- cook dishes from lobster, oysters, crabs, mushrooms, cereals - they contain vitamin B;
- seasonal salads with olive oil;
- it is recommended to eat cereals wheat, millet, corn, buckwheat, barley;
- restrict the use of grapes and vegetables from the legume family, concentrated juices;
- eat less salty, smoked foods, flour products, sugar, hot spices.