How to recognize thoracic osteochondrosis: symptoms and treatment

A disease such as thoracic osteochondrosis is quite common, but less common than other forms of this disease.At first, it occurs without any symptoms, so when the pain appears, it is often diagnosed in a complicated form.

Formation of thoracic osteochondrosis

In modern medicine, the causes of chest osteochondrosis have not yet been established.Although there are factors whose effect is almost the cause of occurrence.They are like this:

  1. Hereditary.If your closest relatives have suffered from such a disease, there is a possibility that you will feel it sooner or later.For this reason, when collecting anamnesis, doctors ask about genetic diseases suffered by relatives.
  2. It is the result of the body going through growth and aging.Intervertebral discs undergo unusual metamorphoses due to shrinkage of hydrophilic tissues and reduction of chondroitin sulfate synthesis.
  3. Back injuries were once received or chronic.The last option is typical for professional athletes or people whose activities involve heavy physical activity.
  4. Microcirculation disorder in the spine.It can be complicated by atherosclerosis.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region has many different symptoms.It can damage the spine, "rest" of advanced diseases, liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart and intestinal diseases.Most often, osteochondrosis of the sinus is felt when there is pain between the ribs and painful, painful sensations during inhalation, discomfort when moving the arms and bending the torso.

The form of osteochondrosis is most often defined by pain between the ribs that causes breathing.The pain is felt more strongly at night, hypothermia, vibration, bending and turning the body.Often, such symptoms are attributed to heart diseases, the differences are pain with spinal diseases, the pain occurs over a longer period of time, and nitroglycerin does not eliminate them.Heart disease can cause blood pressure to "jump", which does not occur with osteochondrosis.

Dorsago and dorsalgia

back pain with thoracic osteochondrosis

Dorsago is a sharp pain in the chest that appears unexpectedly.It manifests itself in people who sit for a long time, and in people who are bent over for a long time.

It can be observed when standing suddenly after sitting for a long time.The pain is very intense - it is difficult to breathe.Increased muscle tension leads to reduced movements in different parts of the spine.

Darsalji does not show particularly obvious manifestations for 3 weeks.It is accompanied by sensations that are more unpleasant than painful.Severe pain can occur only with deep sighs, turning and bending.Increased muscle tension and stiffness at the top and bottom can be increased.

As in Dorsago, the pain is worse at night.

You need to walk a little to relieve the pain.

It is also possible that symptoms may occur, making it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.Pain in the upper chest segment, pain in the pharynx and esophagus may appear.When the middle part of the spine is affected, there are sensations in the area of the sensitive hypochondrium, which are a symptom of pancreatitis, cholecystitis and other diseases.With osteochondrosis of the lower thoracic region, symptoms similar to intestinal patara occur.

During the study, experts established a relationship between pain and physical activity.Most often, the pain appears after dinner, intensifies at night, but subsides after a healthy night's sleep.You should not delay the treatment of this disease, because it can cause more serious pathologies of other organs and systems.The most dangerous of them are cardiovascular pathology, as well as dystrophic changes of heart muscles.Thoracic osteochondrosis can cause dysfunction of the duodenum and intestinal immobile disorders.

Diagnostics

The main diagnostic method used to determine the pathology of osteochondrosis is radiographic examination.The following symptoms are characteristic of this pathology:

  • degenerative actions;
  • reduction of the spinal canal;
  • reduction of the height of the intervertebral discs, the formation of an uneven contour;
  • bone growths;
  • It significantly changes the shape of the spine.

In some particularly complex cases, the use of computed tomography is allowed.However, the risk of exposure to radiation during this procedure is high, and therefore it is better to avoid such diagnostics if there is no urgent need for it.

MRI as a way to diagnose thoracic osteochondrosis

A neurologist conducts some studies to identify possible disorders of the nervous system.Procedures include electroneuromy and observation of tendon reflexes.Cardiographic observations are made to monitor the extent of the disease's effect on the heart.Such studies can predetermine the appearance of ischemic pathology, and it will be possible to control blood pressure.

Treatment

After the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the following drugs:

  1. NSAIDs.It is prescribed to relieve pain.
  2. It is possible to take corticosteroids, but only if the pain is severe.If the pain is not sufficiently intense, its elimination is limited to taking steroid drugs.
  3. Diuretics to relieve bloating.
  4. B vitamins are used to stimulate blood circulation.
  5. Chondroprotectors are prescribed to restore damaged cartilage.

Ointments for the treatment of this form of osteochondrosis are not so effective and are more suitable for other types of diseases.For those who do not trust or simply do not support pharmacological treatment, there are several other methods that exclude the use of drugs.These include acupuncture, electrophoresis, laser, smoking, vacuum, manual therapy, traditional and cube massage.For this type of treatment to be effective, it is important to contact specially trained professionals who have experience in this field.Correctly selected treatment methods will help to stimulate blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and relieve pain.Appropriate physical activity is required, including therapeutic exercises and swimming.A fairly important factor in recovery is proper nutrition.

Especially osteochondrosis of any form and thoracic region is a very unpleasant pathology.When the first symptoms appear, it is important to contact a specialist in time to choose the appropriate treatment.Delay can cause the disease to worsen.