Disease chameleon is often called chest osteochondrosis. It is quite difficult to diagnose, often confused with other diseases. At the same time, osteochondrosis rarely occurs in the thoracic region and is a lesion of the intervertebral discs.
How does the disease manifest itself?
Osteochondrosis, which affects the thoracic spine, is often masked as a pathology of the internal organs. It is manifested by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air when inhaling, panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult.
The intervertebral discs of each section of the spine consist of a nucleus pulposus and a stronger fibrous ring. The latter protects the semi-liquid core and prevents its injuries.
However, for certain reasons, there are situations when metabolic processes slow down and, as a result, pressure on the discs increases. In this case, the disc is deformed, its structure is disturbed.
If treatment is not started at this stage, the symptoms become even more pronounced. The fibrous ring can rupture and the core can dry out.
The disease leads to the violation of the spinal nerves, the destruction of the joints.
Causes of the disease
Various reasons can provoke the appearance of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, the most common among them are:
- chest trauma;
- inactivity, sedentary work (applies to those who work at the computer or are a driver);
- scoliosis.
In addition, problems with the thoracic region are associated with its structure. In this spinal range, there are far more crowded discs than in the lower back or cervical region. Due to the presence of ribs and muscle corset, the thoracic region moves less.
There are cases when the main cause of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region of the spine is osteochondrosis of other departments.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
If, despite the symptoms, treatment is delayed, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region can lead to a number of complications and problems, including:
- intercostal neurology - when the intercostal nerves are compressed;
- compression of the spinal cord;
- shortness of breath, problems with the work of the heart;
- problems with the functioning of the intestines, liver, kidneys;
- stool problems;
- hernia.
What diseases can be confused with osteochondrosis?
As mentioned above, the symptoms of osteochondrosis do not always allow you to quickly establish a diagnosis. This is why osteochondrosis of the chest can be accidentally confused with:
- pathologies of the mammary glands;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- pneumonia (two diseases can be distinguished by a dry cough, shortness of breath and fever with pneumonia. In the case of osteochondrosis, such symptoms are not observed);
- heart attack (in this case, osteochondrosis can be distinguished through a cardiogram);
- renal colic.
Symptoms
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, symptoms of radiculopathy most often occur, that is, those associated with compression of the nerve trunks and the appearance of a hernia between the vertebrae. In this case, severe pain arises after physical work, training. Symptoms in the following weeks become more pronounced, depending on the location of the hernia. If in the upper part, the liver, heart, stomach suffer. If lower, the problems are related to the kidneys.
The location of the hernia also has a significant impact on symptoms. So, if it is located closer to the center, the pains become stronger, continue for several weeks continuously and do not subside after taking medication. Lateral hernia is manifested by periodic and mild pain, local loss of sensation is possible.
Chest osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by compression of the spinal cord, has the following symptoms:
- strong pain;
- numbness of the limbs;
- pain radiates to the stomach, groin, legs;
- dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
In addition to the above, osteochondrosis can manifest additional symptoms, in particular:
- numbness of individual areas of the skin;
- sensation of "goosebumps" in the thoracic spine;
- brittleness of the nails;
- dry skin, peeling;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea or, conversely, constipation);
- giving pain in the throat;
- itching or cold sensation in the lower limbs.
Dorsago as a consequence of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is characterized by the presence of a dorsago. This is one of its main symptoms. In fact, the word "dorsago" should be understood as a very strong and sudden pain in the chest. It is often called "shooting", since the sensations in this case are the same as in a stab wound. A severe backstroke attack makes breathing difficult and makes freedom of movement impossible. This happens after prolonged physical exertion in people who already suffer from osteochondrosis and joint diseases.
Mild, but increasing and prolonged pain in the chest region is called back pain. More pronounced symptoms when a person bends over. The pain can also intensify at night, especially in women with osteochondrosis who wear shoes with heels.
Diagnostics
With thoracic osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out effective treatment. Symptoms without it will intensify and interfere with normal life.
After discovering the symptoms, the doctor directs the patient for further examination. Among the most often used diagnostic methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, there are:
- magnetic resonance. The tomograph allows to obtain a clear three-dimensional image with contrast of the area of the human body under study. Thus, the doctor can see the condition of the vertebrae of the thoracic region, assess the health of the joints. The procedure does not take long (20 to 55 minutes) and is painless. The patient must expose the thoracic spine and lie down on a special bed. The scanner, positioned over the person, at this moment takes a picture of the sections.
- Ultrasound procedure. Before carrying out the treatment, it is worth making sure that osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not accompanied by tumors. For this, an ultrasonic method is suitable. The device clearly shows the condition of the soft tissues, joints, intervertebral discs. As in the first case, the procedure does not take much time and is painless. With the help of an ultrasound examination, it is possible to examine the thoracic region of pregnant women and even children.
Of course, no treatment is offered by the doctor until the patient has passed the general clinical blood and urine tests, and also until the electrocardiogram results are available. The latter allows the doctor, with similar symptoms, to distinguish thoracic osteochondrosis from a heart attack or other heart problems.
Treatment
Referring to a neuropathologist, a patient with thoracic osteochondrosis will receive a recommended course of treatment. The methods and drugs, as well as the duration of their use, are determined by the doctor in each individual case. As a rule, when osteochondrosis is detected in the chest, doctors recommend:
- drug treatment - its goal is to relieve pain, muscle spasms, reduce the inflammatory process, restore the tissues around the joints and vertebrae;
- physiotherapy - aims to use ultrasonic waves, electric current or a laser to relieve acute pain in the chest region and reduce the negative effects of osteochondrosis, provides treatment for the joints;
- manual therapy - thanks to the massage movements of a specialist, it is possible to align the position of the discs of the thoracic region, relieve spasm;
- isometric kinesitherapy (gymnastics treatment) - helps improve the mobility of the thoracic region, relieves pain.
In addition to the methods described above, the treatment of osteochondrosis can be carried out using hirudotherapy, millimeter wave therapy, apitherapy, magnetotherapy and other methods.