Thoracic osteochondrosis. Symptoms. Causes. Treatment

Osteochondrosis is a very common disease, which is familiar to the vast majority of people. It got to humanity in the "reward" for uprightness. With the vertical position of the body, the spine experiences heavy loads, which lead to degeneration of the intervertebral discs. There is an osteochondrosis cervical, thoracic, lumbar. Often there is a mixed appearance, for example, cervicothoracic osteochondrosis or lumbar-thoracic. It is believed that the disease affects people of middle age, but in recent years, osteochondrosis is getting younger due to a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, bad habits.

Cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis occurs more often than chest osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are very diverse. Due to the good fixation of the ribs, sternum and muscular corset, the middle section of the spine is rarely injured, and there is almost never an intervertebral hernia.

The main reasons for the onset of breast osteochondrosis are a long stay in an uncomfortable position, scoliosis, stoop, a sedentary lifestyle. Most often the disease affects people who have to sit for a long time or stand in an uncomfortable position: dentists, surgeons, programmers, hairdressers, accountants, drivers and others. The cause of the disease can be stress and nervous tension. The situation is aggravated by bad habits, hypothermia, lack of vitamin C, and malnutrition.

With such a pathology as chest osteochondrosis, symptoms are manifested by pain in the chest, back, upper abdomen, and lateral parts of the chest. The disease develops slowly enough. For breast osteochondrosis is characterized by a phenomenon such as intercostal neuralgia. A cutting or burning pain suddenly pierces the thoracic region with sudden movement, laughter, coughing, and inhaling. Breathing becomes superficial - a deep breath causes severe pain. Movement is limited - it is impossible to bend over, turn around, get out of bed. This state can last from a couple of minutes to several hours.

As a rule, chest osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are not very pronounced, manifests as aching or dull pain in the chest, abdomen, between the shoulder blades, with the raising of hands. The pain increases with movement, lifting weights, deep breathing, coughing, with a long time in one position. Painful sensations appear in the space between the ribs during a fast walk. When breast osteochondrosis can goosebumps, dull parts of the skin, cold feet. Pain is permanent or paroxysmal. The acute periods of the disease are replaced by remissions.

This is dangerous breast osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are similar to the signs of various diseases, that it is easy to accept for ischemia of the heart, angina pectoris and even a heart attack. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can have signs of diseases of the digestive system: cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis. Possible pain in the esophagus, a sensation of a coma in the throat, shortness of breath.

Diagnosis of the disease using X-rays and MRI. For the examination of the patient, neurologists, gastroenterologists, cardiologists, therapists are involved.

Once emerged, the osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the symptoms of which will appear periodically, will remain forever. If you let the disease run its course, it will only progress, and, possibly, lead to disability. Therefore, timely treatment is the key to a good quality of life.

How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region? First and foremost, you need to strengthen the entire body, increase immunity, eat properly, do not overcool, exercise, rest fully, follow your posture, use orthopedic mattresses for sleep, orthopedic pillows for sitting and under your back in the car and in the office.

With the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic area, treatment should be comprehensive. It includes the taking of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, physical procedures, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy.

The best prevention of the disease is the formation of proper posture from childhood, strengthening the muscles of the chest, back and abdomen, motor activity. With sedentary work, it is necessary to occupy a comfortable position, often change the position and make movements. It is important not to overcool and not to get wet, because moisture and cold harm the spine.