Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine occurs with damage to the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. The symptomatology of the disease is similar to the manifestations of the pathologies of the cervical and lumbar. Thoracic osteochondrosis is difficult and not often diagnosed.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women
This disease is rare in women, since there is less stress on the thoracic spine than on other parts of the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spinal column is quite difficult to diagnose, since the disease usually manifests itself at the stage of disease progression.
The main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis in women is soreness. Pain can usually be localized in the back, sternum, and also radiate to the upper limbs. In addition, a woman may be tormented by pain in the stomach. Localization of pain depends, first of all, on the stage of the course of the disease.
Usually, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, a woman feels constant, non-intense pain of a aching nature. Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis also depend on the sensitivity and individual characteristics of the female body.
In the beautiful half of humanity, the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced: the woman's body is more sensitive, and all parts of the spinal column are thinner than those of a man. Degenerative and dystrophic processes in women are more likely to cause negative reactions.
With the defeat of the chest section of the ridge, the fair sex has the following symptoms:
- soreness while raising the arm up or when bending over;
- pain in the mammary glands;
- discomfort in the sternum, aggravated by various loads or prolonged stay in a sedentary position;
- pain with deep breathing;
- severe pain between the shoulder blades in the ridge area;
- feeling of pressure in the chest;
- vascular dystonia.
The above symptoms are provoked by the processes occurring in the spinal column itself. In the case of the formation of intervertebral hernias, symptoms appear as a result of the development of vascular and neurological pathologies.
No less common manifestations in women of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- frequent appearance of "goosebumps" and numbness of the shoulders and arms;
- burning sensation, coldness, or itching in the lower extremities;
- pain in the area of the heart;
- increased fragility of nails, peeling of the skin;
- pathologies of the functionality of the digestive organs: nausea, constipation or diarrhea, bloating.
Since osteochondrosis in the chest occurs with symptoms similar to pneumonia, angina pectoris or cardiac pathologies, it is necessary to carry out differential diagnosis. All of the above manifestations indicate the development of thoracic osteochondrosis. However, you should not self-medicate. Only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest in men
Osteochondrosis of the chest in men is often diagnosed when there is a high intensive load on the spine (for example, the disease is often detected in builders, loaders, etc. ). Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis in this case occur gradually, while between the ribs and vertebrae there is a slow damage to the joints. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be.
In the early stages, thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds without any special manifestations, and the man lives without knowing that his disease is progressing. Any discomfort is usually attributed to fatigue that has arisen after a long work, or an uncomfortable posture.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in a man in the early stages:
- as a result of compaction of soft tissues, elasticity decreases in the area of the joints and a crunch occurs between the shoulder blades, in the region of the sternum, collarbone;
- due to the impaired flexibility of the shoulder girdle, it is difficult to raise the arms and place them behind the back;
- discomfort appears in the affected part of the chest;
- after prolonged physical activity or staying in a static position, there is a feeling of fatigue in the back;
- soreness appears with deep breathing.
With further progression of the disease, the following symptoms are observed:
- pains become more intense and continuous. Due to the constant pressure on the nerve endings, soreness is observed even at rest;
- there is numbness, a feeling of tingling in areas with impaired sensitivity;
- there are periodic reflex cramps of the abdominal muscles, proceeding with discomfort;
- a man can be tormented by false attacks of angina pectoris, renal or hepatic colic;
- possible disruption of the pelvic organs, as well as a decrease in potency;
- as a result of the formation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic ridge, irritable bowel syndrome develops - a pathology of the functionality of the digestive organs.
Symptom sensation of coma in thoracic osteochondrosis
The feeling of a coma in the sternum occurs in many patients, but not everyone attaches importance to this, since this phenomenon is characterized by a short duration and disappears very quickly.
What causes this phenomenon? Usually, a feeling of a coma in the sternum occurs as a result of pathologies of the nervous system. However, sometimes the cause of these sensations is thoracic osteochondrosis, because in the chest area there are nerve plexuses in large quantities.
As a result of this pathology, intercostal neuralgia often develops. In this situation, the patient has pressure behind the chest, and pain also appears, which intensifies during body movements or when lifting weights. In this case, the pain is similar to a needle prick and intensifies during breathing.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region most often develops due to an incorrect lifestyle, sedentary work, and impaired metabolism. Conservative drug treatment, manual and laser therapy will come to the rescue. Patients are encouraged to go in for sports or fitness.