Osteochondrosis is a very dangerous disease. It occurs imperceptibly, and from mild uncomfortable sensations develops into serious disorders of the spine, which sometimes result in disability.
Therapists, neurologists, orthopedists, vertebrologists and other specialists are involved in the treatment of this disease.
Symptoms and sensations of chest osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is less common than osteochondrosis of the cervical or lumbar spine. The thoracic vertebrae are less mobile and more protected. This disease is complicated by the fact that the symptoms are difficult to identify, and subsequently this can lead to a number of other diseases.
One of the main reasons for the appearance of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is the presence of scoliosis in humans. With the curvature of the spine, the pressure on the vertebrae increases and there is their displacement and loss of discs from the spinal column. The pain that occurs with this disease is indicated by the fact that changes occur in the vertebrae, metabolism and blood supply are disrupted. This disease affects mostly people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, office workers, drivers, students.
With thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms and sensations are divided into the main pain syndromes: dorsago and dorsalgia. Dorsalgia is a lingering chronic pain that is mild and brings little discomfort to the patient. Dorsago is a sudden, sharp pain. It occurs when a person is in a certain position for a long time and dramatically changes it. Shortness of breath may appear, it becomes difficult to breathe, the muscles are poorly controlled.
Thoracic degenerative disc disease: symptoms and sensations are typical and atypical
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, like any other disease, has a number of characteristic features. List of typical symptoms:
- painful sensations intensify when inhaling, turning the body, raising the arms up;
- pain begins in one place, and then quickly spreads to the entire chest area. Difficulty breathing. The patient is forced to look for a comfortable position. Intercostal neuralgia occurs;
- muscles are very tense, spasms periodically occur;
- the precursor of intercostal neuralgia is periodic pain, uncomfortable sensations in the back and chest that occur when walking or exercising;
- pain syndrome intensifies at night, by morning it can subside altogether. It also becomes pronounced during hypothermia.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by symptoms and sensations that are characteristic of other diseases. Such symptoms are called atypical. These include:
- painful sensations similar to diseases of the cardiovascular system. When taking medications, there is no improvement, and may even worsen the state of health. Also, with an ECG, no changes are observed;
- for women in the acute stage of the development of the disease, soreness of the mammary glands is characteristic. You can exclude this pathology by visiting a mammologist;
- sometimes patients complain of painful sensations similar to pain in gastritis, ulcers, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. But, unlike these diseases, with osteochondrosis, pain intensifies during moments of power loads, and not when eating;
- disorders of the urinary and reproductive system;
- some patients experience difficulty in swallowing reflex, a feeling of "lump in the throat".
With chest osteochondrosis, treatment is required immediately, and self-medication is unacceptable. This can lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition, and subsequently even to disability. Specialists can recognize typical and atypical symptoms of the disease. Qualified doctors diagnose thoracic osteochondrosis using modern equipment and treat them using the latest effective methods.
Osteochondrosis of the chest: symptoms and treatment
The hospital uses the best schemes and methods for the treatment of chest osteochondrosis. The drug method helps to eliminate the inflammatory process and relieve pain. The main method of dealing with osteochondrosis is the use of chondroprotectors for a long period of time. They restore the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, their elasticity. For hospital patients, a prerequisite for treatment is exercise therapy to strengthen the musculo-ligamentous frame. Muscle relaxants are used (relieve muscle spasms), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
To maintain the overall balance, improve metabolism in the body, proper nutrition is necessary. The hospital provides the services of a nutritionist and inpatient wards, where it is much easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the recovery period than at home.
Among the additional methods of treatment are used:
- acupuncture;
- massages;
- physiotherapy;
- manual therapy;
- vacuum therapy.