Thoracic spine osteochondrosis: symptoms, treatment, degree, gymnastics

The chameleon disease, which is concealed as dangerous diseases of the heart and lungs, causing panic attacks and a feeling of lack of air - this is osteochondrosis of the chest.Its symptoms can be so diverse that an inexperienced doctor can try to find the cause, prescribe many tests and sometimes put a person in intensive treatment.

We will talk about how to understand that you have exactly osteochondrosis of the thoracic region and how to repair it.

Reasons

The disease is quite rare.This is due to the fact that the spine, that is, the joints between the vertebrae, are created almost stationary in the thoracic area.And if a person makes a sharp movement or often moves along the axis of the intervertebral joints (for example, digging or lifting the weight with only one hand), then all the thoracic vertebrae is turned on at one time.Separately, they do not work from each other.

The causes of thoracic osteochondrosis are:

• scoliosis in the thoracic or lumbosacral section;
• excessive or improper exercise;
• Injuries to the chest spine;
• Excess weight - more than 10% of this "tan";
• Impaired metabolism - as a result of endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, pathology of the adrenal glands, etc.) or inadequate nutrition;
• Abnormalities in the development of the chest spine;
• Hypodynamia (the intervertebral disc - what is destroyed with osteochondrosis - is also powered by the muscles of the back).

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Doctors have decided to distinguish the degree of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region so that one can understand how far the process of destroying the disc between the two vertebrae of the breast has come.

So, there are 4 degrees Breast osteochondrosis:

• Grade 1.The intervertebral disc loses moisture, becomes more fragile, cracks appear in it.This is accompanied by mild pain, disappearing alone.
• 2 degrees.The amount of fluid in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc becomes even less: the height of the disc decreases, the cracks (especially one of them) deepens.The defect fills the "core" of the disc - a pulpal core, which further turns the crack.The pulp nucleus does not penetrate from the outside.The back muscles in the area of the damaged intervertebral disc are tense, trying to prevent the spine from turning to the "leaked" disc.This causes severe back pain, which is why you have to break the work.
• 3 degrees.The crack in the fibrous ring of the disc reaches the edge of the vertebrae, the pulpulated nucleus rushes into it and begins to protrude.Thus, 3 degrees is intervertebral hernia.With it, the pain is felt almost all the time - when working.We need to change the work easier.Self service is saved.
• 4 degrees.In the area of the affected discs, the connective tissue grows.It blocks the adjacent vertebrae.In addition, the spinal bone tries to compensate for the reduction of the layer between the vertebrae and grows.Bone "spikes" appear - osteophytes.

Symptoms

At the beginning

While the pulpitic nucleus did not completely make the path inside the ring surrounding it, it almost does not manifest itself.Periodically, by tilting or lifting weights, the pain can occur between the shoulder blades, which passes quite quickly after rest.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest in acute stage can be very diverse, this is:

Chest pain

It is more likely to be sick and long -term, but can sometimes be acute.Localization:

• Back - between shoulder blades;
• cardiac area;
• under a spoon;
• In the rib area - so it becomes painful to breathe.

The difference between this pain in osteochondrosis is that:

• It's not so strong that you can lose consciousness.This is characteristic of myocardial infarction;
• It does not arise in response to an emotional load - only physical;
• does not occur when walking against the wind, climbing the stairs or when reaching the cold;
• It is enhanced by lifting hands, bends and inclinations;
• It is increased if you absorb deep air;
• Pain attacks differ from each other in localization and intensity (with angina, for example, they will be stereotypical);
• does not disappear if the load is stopped;
• It can be localized if someone is pressed against the spine in the chest: in one place it will be very painful;
• She gives in her hand, though more often - in 2 hands.But even if he gives his left hand (as pain in the heart), then not the little finger;
• does not depend on nutrition, as with gastritis or angina;
• It has not been removed from nitroglycerin, which, on the contrary, helps with angina;
• It does not intensify when the breast is felt (if it appears to hurt).In this case, no nodes or seals are felt in the chest;
• There is no such thing that the pain gradually increases, but after stress or nitroglycerin stopped sharply.This is characteristic of angina;
• The pain is not accompanied by nausea, acids, sharp.This can talk about gastritis as well as angina.

Sensation in the chest

Therefore, "incomplete breath" can occur.Usually this symptom is, however, accompanied by back pain, but even if there is no pain, then there is no intoxication, as with pneumonia (weakness, desire to relax, reduce appetite).This can cause panic, but by calming down, count your pulse.With thoracic osteochondrosis will not be more than 100 beats per minute, and in diseases of the heart or lungs it can be.

Other symptoms

• Violation of sensitivity in the hand or in two hands: they become more "cool", freeze, "goosebumps work on them".
• In some cases, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region resemble a panic attack (fear, heart rate, sweating).In combination with pain behind the sternum, this may indicate myocardial infarction, so in this case it is better to take nitroglycerin (up to 3 tablets) and call an ambulance that will remove the cardiogram.
• Digestion system interruption: frequent exacerbations of gastritis, constipation, bloating, periodic abdominal pain, periodic diarrhea - without a mistake in the diet.

With thoracic osteochondrosis, such symptoms last for about 10-14 days, provided that you are temporarily stopped bending and making twisting movements.The disease goes into the subacute stage.

Signs in the subacute stage

There is still pain and difficulty breathing, but they are no longer as intense and less worried.So, if you need to find a situation in the acute stage to fall asleep and not suffocate, then you do not need to apply such efforts in the horseshoe period.

The scene lasts 12-14 days.If you are observing all the doctor's recommendations, do not lift weights, do not bend and do not hypothermia, the remission stage comes - when all the symptoms leave.If the regimen is disturbed, the disease can again go to the acute stage.

Remission

There are no symptoms during this period.Perhaps, of course, to "shoot" under the ribs if you decide to work physically, but it goes away quickly.

It can provoke the exacerbation of the disease:

• physical activity (especially weight lifting and inclination);
• stress;
• hypothermia;
• acute change in heat until cold (diving in a hole or bathing in the snow after a bath);
• Failed to massage or manual therapy campaign;
• prolonged find in a bent position;
• Alcohol intake (especially in combination with one of the above factors).

Diagnostics

The diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest spine is engaged with a neurologist (neuropathologist).When you come to him, describing your complaints, he conducts an initial check: he examines the gaps between the vertebrae of the chest (with osteochondrosis you can find a painful point) and determine the reflexes and sensitivity of the hands.

To confirm the diagnosis, he needs:

• ECG, probably again against the background of the treadmill load (thread test).This will exclude angina;
• radiography or computed tomography of the chest;
• In women, especially older ones, mammography, since the symptoms of breast osteochondrosis often accompany breast disease, not always malignant.

Treatment

How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the doctor will say - after confirming the diagnosis, determination of the stage and nature of the disorders (sensitivity of the hands, respiratory disorders).

In the sharp stage, a bed, or at least semi -finished product, minimal motor activity is recommended.In the future, the mode is expanding.In general, such methods are used to treat osteochondrosis (they need their complex):

Medication

Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory They are painkillers. They can be drunk in the form of tablets or glued as a patch ("Alfen") - if the pain is tolerant.In the subacute period, they can be used as osteochondrosis ointments.And in the acute period with severe pain - only as injections. This is diclofenac (analogues of Voltaren, Almiral, Olfen, Naklofen, Diklak) - the most strong of the NSAIDs group. This includes ibuprof ", prayer", Nise. Such anesthetic drugs such as Kever, Ketanov or Ketalong are better not to use -they have a weak anti -inflammatory effect.

Monsolelaxants Their task is to relieve muscle spasm that holds the spine from the bend, and to transmit nerve endings and blood vessels.In the acute period, it is better to take them as injections for osteochondrosis and then switch to tablets. This is Midokalm, Tizalud, Sirdalud.

Chondroprotectors These are medicines whose effectiveness is still contested.Nevertheless, many doctors recommend using them for a long time - to allow the intervertebral disc to recover. This is Arthra, Alflutop, Don, Teraflex, Structures and others.

B vitamins B vitamins They are necessary to improve the transmission of the pulse from the nerve to the muscle.In the acute period, it is better to start with injections, such as neurorubin, then switch to the tablets of neurorubin, milgama, neuroinitan or others.

Please note: To relieve breast osteochondrosis pain!Then you can breathe with full force, thus improving the nutrition of oxygen of the whole body.In addition, eliminating superficial breathing is the prevention of stagnant pneumonia.

Physiotherapy

This treatment increases the effect of medicines.Applied:

1. Electrophoresis with anesthetics and medicines that improve local blood circulation.In this case, the drug is carried out by electric shock directly in the back of the back.
2. Magnetotherapy.Under the influence of the magnetic field, the work of impaired nerve endings is improved, tissue edema is removed.
3. Phonophoresis (the introduction of ultrasound drugs) helps to better anesthesia of the back and eliminate inflammation of the impaired tissues.It also has the ability to improve metabolism in the effect of exposure.
4. Acupuncture - the introduction of special sterile needles at active points that are responsible for the work of the chest.
5. Laser therapy according to the external method - increases blood circulation in the tense muscles and suffering intervertebral discs.

Massage

Massage for osteochondrosis is an effective procedure if a specialist performs it.The massage session is able to improve blood circulation in the affected area, to relax the spasmodic muscles, to improve blood flow and lymph from this area.This accelerates healing and reduces pain.

Important: In the acute period of the disease, massage as well as loading for osteochondrosis is contraindicated.You can proceed to the procedure 2 weeks after acute pain and difficulty breathing.Massage should not cause unpleasant sensations or pain!

In order to reduce the amount of exacerbation, it is recommended that massage courses be carried out at least 2 times a year.Can be:

• Therapeutic manual massage: exposure by hand on the shade of muscles that have lost and lost their tone to normalize their condition;
• Hardware: A muscular study of various types of exciting manipulas.You can also resort to the services that cosmetologists provide: endosphere and LPG massage.They also have a good effect on inflammation back;
• Point: In this case, the biologically active points are manually made, as a result of this the condition of the internal organs is poured due to the bend of the spine;
• Small: The effect on the muscles that have changed the tone is produced using a vacuum.

Exercise therapy

Osteochondrosis exercises can only be done in the subacute period and in remission, as well as 2 weeks after the hernia is removed.

LFK is contraindicated if the posterior muscles are still very tense, one vertebra is tightly pressed against another, requiring surgery, with severe pain.

Gymnastics for osteochondrosis is recommended to start with self -scolding of the spine.To do this, you need to take a wide and smooth board and attach to one end to the wall-at a height of about 100 cm from the floor (to make an angle of 30-45 °).The lower edge lies on the floor.To the upper edge, on both sides are attached 2 leather straps about 45 cm long - so you can go through them and then take your hands.

The self -schedule method is that you go to this board with your back, head up, arms in straps.Place the soft tissue under your knees, lifting it in a roll and lying for 10-15 minutes.It should not be painful.If there is pain, increase the angle of inclination of the board.If that doesn't help, you'll have to do it differently:

• Make a blanket of blankets on the floor;
• Lie on the roll so that there is a blocked area at the very top;
• Squeeze your legs slightly;
• elbows and knees - bent, touch the floor, body weight lies on them;
  The head should hang lightly or lie on folded brushes;
• If you do not feel so that your spine is stretched, you can increase the load: move your legs back and arms forward;
• 5 minutes of inspiration for 10 seconds for back muscle tension, when exhaled - relax
• Relax and breathe in your stomach - another 5 minutes.

Bridge

Instead of such efforts, you can use a simulator called the "spinal stretching bridge".He stretches the spine and first stretches the damaged thoracic area - under the weight of his own body (this is a metal arc).

Using it during the remission period, only 5 minutes 2 times a day allows you to significantly extend the painless period.This simulator has many positive reviews.

Complications of chest osteochondrosis

These include:

• pneumosclerosis;
• arrhythmias;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• Digestive organs disorder;
• Improvement of sexual and reproductive function - both women and men.

Prevention

In order not to feel for yourself what osteochondrosis is (especially if you are moving a little or already scoliosis), pay attention to such prevention measures:

1. Do not overfill.
2. Do not sharply lift the weight: this should happen after preparation.
3. Follow your stand when you sit down and walk.An ergonomic chair can be installed in the car that will even keep your back.
4. Be sure to take breaks at work: get up, go, perform a self -back massage - so that the spine gets enough power.
5. Do not start your scoliosis: treat it on time.
6. Reduce the amount of salt and sugar in the diet.
7. Turn off dishes containing smoked meats, marinades, sharp spices.Fried products will also need to be removed.
8. He sleeps on the orthopedic mattress and a low (or also orthopedic) pillow.