The degenerative and dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral disc tissues and the clinical symptoms associated with these processes are called osteochondrosis. Consider the main cause and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Causes of thoracic osteochondrosis
- Genetic.
Damaged or mutated genes for normal bone growth are inherited. Therefore, if someone in the relationship has this disease, the risk of osteochondrosis will increase significantly. - Sedentary lifestyle.
In this case, long-term overload on the spine is very important, which can lead to compression of the vertebrae and the development of disease. This situation occurs more often in people who use computers and drivers. - Vascular pathology.
Any vascular disease that provides blood to the spine and results in insufficient nutrient supply to the vertebral tissue will cause them to undergo degenerative and dystrophic changes. - Disorders of metabolism in the body.
In most cases, diabetes causes changes in blood vessels that destroy tissue nutrition. In addition, due to phosphorus-calcium metabolism disorders, thyroid and parathyroid pathology, adrenal cortex diseases, direct changes in vertebral tissue are possible. - Infection and poisoning.
The inflammatory process of vertebrae and intervertebral disc tissue caused by the invasion of viruses, bacteria or their toxins can also lead to the development of osteochondrosis. - overweight.
The continuous excessive load on the spine leads to compression of the intervertebral discs, and then the underlying process of osteochondrosis occurs. - Improper nutrition.
Lack of trace elements (such as calcium) and lack of vitamins (D3) can also lead to the interruption of metabolic processes in the body and the development of bone and cartilage histopathology. - Age-related changes in bone and cartilage tissue.
With age, the thoracic spine will undergo malnutrition changes, resulting in compression of the intervertebral disc. In old age and old age, the muscular framework of the spine also weakens. - Thoracic spine injury.
Bruises and fractures of the vertebral arch during a fall or a car accident are not uncommon. At the same time, the anatomical changes of the vertebrae and surrounding tissues are the direct cause of the development of the pathological process of osteochondrosis. - Scoliosis
The "school" pathology that develops in children in educational institutions that do not use health protection technology mainly occurs in the thoracic spine. The curvature of the spine significantly changes the load on each segment of the spine, leading to the development of osteochondrosis. - Sports and occupational hazards.
Exercise load (for example, a weightlifter), work related to weightlifting, and frequent changes in trunk position (rotation, flexion, extension, and jerk) can also cause persistent pathological changes in the spine. In addition, when standing in uncomfortable positions for a long time, sitting, lying down, lifting weights and carrying heavy objects, during other tasks, the pressure of the intervertebral disc and the load of the entire spine will increase, which may lead to osteochondrosis. - Other causes and risks of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Spine overload associated with foot diseases, as well as due to wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels and female pregnancy, professional athletes suddenly stop regular training, and finally-excessive tension and stress conditions.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
All symptoms of the disease can be conditionally divided into reflex and oppressive.
Reflex symptoms
The mechanism of their appearance is to stimulate the intervertebral ligament receptors, intervertebral joint capsules, and intervertebral disc receptors. Stimulating radiation (diffusion) to adjacent segments of the spinal cord can cause various symptoms.
The following are the main pains: chest pain, abdominal or heart area pain, chest muscle tension, autonomic symptoms of internal organs. The pain is always severe, and the patient describes it as a dagger blow. The area of pain syndrome is the area between the shoulder blades, and the pain can be applied to the heart and breastbone area.
The patient may even have difficulty moving and breathing deeply. The reflex symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are more common than compression.
Compression symptoms
The compression symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis are caused by compression or stretching of nerve roots from the exit area of the intervertebral foramen. Mainly: Symmetrical muscle weakness in the legs, loss of sensitivity, and "root" pain in the back and chest. The pain "shooting", felt inside the chest, in the abdomen, increases with exercise, body bending, coughing, sneezing, and laughing. There is a feeling of "squirming", numbness, and tingling. In the course of pathological development, movement disorders and muscle atrophy may occur. Muscle tone increases, lower limb sensitivity decreases, and urination disorders may occur.
Other vegetative symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis
The vegetative symptoms of osteochondrosis are because the components of nerve fibers from the thoracic spine contain vegetative conductors, and the stimulation or invasion of these fibers may be accompanied by vegetative symptoms. Mainly include: skin peeling and dry skin in the compressed nerve innervation area, local sweating and body temperature regulation disorder (also according to the innervation area), brittle toe nails, simulated gastrointestinal pathological pain (gastritis, gastric ulcer, cholecystitis), low back pain, Pain in the heart.
Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
The treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis should be complex (a combination of drug and non-drug methods), individualized and systemic.
Drugs for treating thoracic osteochondrosis
The main tasks of these methods are to eliminate pain syndrome, muscle tension, improve microcirculation and tissue nutrition. For this reason, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce the inflammatory process and eliminate pain and muscle tension. These funding requirements average 7-14 days. The application of anesthesia is regulated locally. In cases where the effect of non-steroidal analgesics is insufficient, an analgesic mixture is used. The mixture is injected intravenously in saline or glucose. When an analgesic is injected into the soft tissues of the paravertebral area, the paravertebral block has a rapid analgesic effect.
To relieve the pain of thoracic osteochondrosis, topical irritating and distracting ointments are used.
Muscle tension can be relieved by drugs such as muscle relaxants.
In order to normalize blood circulation and improve tissue nutrition, antiplatelet drugs and niacin are used.
They also use drugs that improve the metabolism of intervertebral discs and joints-chondroprotective agents.
Non-drug treatment
Diet for thoracic osteochondrosis. Completely excluded from the diet: salt, hot spices, preparations using vinegar and salt, semi-finished products, sugar (can be replaced with honey), coffee and carbonated drinks. Allowed: beans, eggplant, cheese, dairy products, lettuce, cabbage, cheese, bananas, liver, carrots, melons, seafood, grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs, seeds and berries.
Comprehensive treatment options for thoracic osteochondrosis include: manual therapy, classic massage, acupoint massage, reflex segment massage, physical therapy exercises, torsion techniques (stretching), acupuncture, swimming, physical therapy methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, pulse, diode)Electric current, mud therapy, etc. ).
Traditional treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis
The deterioration of thoracic osteochondrosis is an indication for treatment under the strict supervision of a doctor. Without the permission of a doctor, family and folk remedies are not allowed to be used blindly. As an additional treatment to relieve the patient's condition, the following methods can be used:
- Tinctures and decoctions.
- Bilberry leaf tincture. Take 1 tablespoon of bilberry leaves, pour 0. 25 liters of boiling water, and cook for 2 hours. Half a cup in the morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Coriander root decoction. Grate 50 grams of coriander root, add 0. 5 liters of water, and simmer for one and a half hours. Take 1 tablespoon each morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Tincture of nettle and honey. Squeeze the juice from freshly picked nettles and mix it with equal parts of honey and rubbing alcohol. In a cold place for 14 days, use a tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach for 2 weeks.
- A tincture of yarrow with mint, licorice and calendula. Mix one tablespoon of yarrow with two tablespoons of mint, licorice and calendula, pour 1 liter of boiling water, and cook for 7-8 hours. Take 50 ml 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
- wipe.
- The radish and honey are infused with vodka. Grate the radish, mix it with equal parts of honey, and add 50 ml of vodka. Use the composition to rub on the painful location.
- Lard and hops. Mix a tablespoon of pork fat, melt and cool to room temperature, add the same amount of hops. Rub the resulting composition into the affected area.
- Pork fat and propolis. Melt 150 grams of lard, add 30 grams of propolis, and mix thoroughly. It is best to wipe the skin overnight. After the operation, you should wrap your back with a hot cloth.
- Ginger and garlic. Add butter and fry the chopped ginger and garlic until evenly distributed. Rub the painful area with the resulting composition.
- Oregano oil. Mix 1 tablespoon of oregano with 0. 2 liters of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 10 hours, then strain and rub the painful area on your back.
Prognosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The prognosis is generally favorable, and complications of this disease are rare. It is worthy of attention to diagnose the disease in time, exclude other lesions of the chest organs, and adequately treat and fully prevent the deterioration of osteochondrosis.