Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and the clinical symptoms associated with these processes are called osteochondrosis.Let's consider the main causes and methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the chest
- Heredity.
Damaged or mutated genes responsible for normal bone growth are inherited.Therefore, the risk of osteochondrosis increases significantly if there are people in the family who suffer from this disease. - A sedentary lifestyle.
In this case, the prolonged and excessive load on the spine is important, which leads to compression of the vertebrae and the development of the disease.This happens more often among people who work on a computer and among drivers. - Vascular pathology.
Any disease of the vessels supplying blood to the spine and causing an insufficient supply of nutrients to the spinal tissues leads to the appearance of degenerative and dystrophic changes in them. - Metabolic disorders in the body.
Most often, diabetes mellitus leads to changes in blood vessels that disrupt tissue trophism.In addition, direct changes in the spinal tissue are possible in disorders of phosphorus-calcium metabolism, in pathologies of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and in diseases of the adrenal cortex. - Infections and intoxications.
Inflammatory processes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs caused by viruses, bacteria or the action of their toxins can also lead to the development of osteochondrosis. - Overweight.
The presence of constant excessive load on the spine leads to compression of the intervertebral discs with subsequent development of the processes underlying osteochondrosis. - Bad nutrition.
The lack of trace elements (for example, calcium), the lack of vitamins (D3) can also lead to the disruption of metabolic processes in the body and the development of bone and cartilage tissue pathology. - Age-related changes in bone and cartilage tissue.
With age, degenerative changes occur in the chest, leading to compression of the intervertebral discs.In advanced and old age, the muscular framework of the spine also weakens. - Injuries of the thoracic spine.
Bruises and fractures of the spinal arches due to a fall or auto-trauma are not so rare.At the same time, anatomical changes in the vertebrae and surrounding tissues are the direct cause of the development of the pathological process that is the cause of osteochondrosis. - Scoliosis
The "school" pathology that develops in children from these educational institutions, where healthy technologies are not used, occurs mainly in the chest.The curvature of the spine significantly changes the load on the individual segments of the spine, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis. - Sports and occupational risks.
Sports stress (for example, weightlifters), as well as work related to lifting weights, frequent changes in body position (bends, flexions and extensions, sudden movements) can also cause persistent pathological changes in the spine.In addition, prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions in standing, sitting, lying down, when lifting and carrying heavy objects or when performing other work that increases the pressure on the discs and the load on the spine in general can also lead to osteochondrosis. - Other causative factors and risks of developing osteochondrosis of the chest.
Overstrain of the spine associated with diseases of the legs, as well as as a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes, high heels and pregnancy in women, abrupt cessation of regular training by professional athletes and finally, nervous tension and stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
All symptoms of the disease can be divided into reflex and compression.
Reflex symptoms
The mechanism of their appearance is irritation of the receptors of the intervertebral ligaments, the capsules of the intervertebral joints and the receptors of the intervertebral discs.Irradiation (spread) of irritation in adjacent segments of the spinal cord can lead to the appearance of various symptoms.
Here are the main ones: pain in the chest, pain in the abdomen or in the region of the heart, tension in the muscles of the chest, vegetative symptoms on the part of the internal organs.The pain is always sharp, described by patients as stabbing.The place of pain is the area between the shoulder blades, the pain can radiate to the heart area, sternum.
It may be difficult for the patient to even move or take a deep breath.Reflex symptoms in osteochondrosis of the chest are much more common than compression symptoms.
Symptoms of compression
Symptoms of compression in osteochondrosis of the chest are caused by compression or stretching of the nerve root in the area where it exits the intervertebral foramen.The main ones are: muscle weakness symmetrically in both legs, loss of sensitivity in them, "radicular" pain in the back and chest.The pain is "shooting", it is felt inside the chest, in the abdomen, it intensifies when moving, bending the body, coughing, sneezing, laughing.There is a sensation of "crawling", tingling and numbness.With the development of the pathology, movement disorders and muscle atrophy may appear.Muscle tone increases, sensitivity in the lower limbs decreases, urination disorders may occur.
Other autonomous symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest
Autonomic symptoms in osteochondrosis appear due to the fact that the nerve fibers coming from the chest contain autonomic conductors;irritation or disruption of these fibers may be accompanied by autonomic symptoms.The main ones are: peeling and dry skin in the innervation zone of the compressed nerve, local violation of sweating and thermoregulation (also according to the innervation zone), brittleness of the toenails, pain simulating the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastric ulcer, cholecystitis), pain in the lower back, pain in the heart.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest should be comprehensive (with a combination of drug and non-drug methods), individual and systemic.
Medicinal methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
The main goals of these methods are to eliminate pain, muscle tension, improve microcirculation and tissue trophism.For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation, eliminate pain and muscle tension.These funds are prescribed for an average of 7-14 days.Applications with local anesthesia are prescribed.In case of insufficient effect of non-steroidal analgesics, an analgesic mixture is used.The mixtures are administered intravenously with saline or glucose.Paravertebral blocks have a rapid analgesic effect when an analgesic is injected into the soft tissues of the perivertebral regions.
Locally irritating and distracting ointments are used to relieve pain in osteochondrosis of the chest.
Muscle tension is relieved with drugs such as muscle relaxants.
Antiplatelet drugs and nicotinic acid are used to normalize blood circulation and improve tissue nutrition.
They also use drugs that improve metabolism in the intervertebral discs and joints - chondroprotectors.
Non-drug treatments
Diet for osteochondrosis of the chest.Completely excluded from the diet: salt, hot spices, products with vinegar and salt, semi-finished products, sugar (can be replaced with honey), coffee and carbonated drinks.Allowed: legumes, eggplant, cheese, dairy products, lettuce, cabbage, cottage cheese, bananas, liver, carrots, cantaloupe, seafood, grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs, seeds and fruits.
The complex program for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest includes: manual therapy, classic massage, acupressure, reflex-segmental massage, physiotherapy, torsion techniques (stretching), acupuncture, swimming, physiotherapy methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, amplipulse, didynamic currents, mud therapy, etc.).
Traditional methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the chest is an indication for treatment under the strict supervision of a doctor.Home and folk remedies should never be used blindly without a doctor's permission.The following can be used as an additional treatment to relieve the patient's condition:
- Tinctures and decoctions.
- Blueberry leaf tincture.Take 1 tablespoon of blueberry leaves, pour 0.25 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.Drink half a glass in the morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Decoction of parsley roots.Grind 50 g of parsley roots, add 0.5 liters of water and simmer over low heat for an hour and a half.Take 1 tablespoon each morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Tincture of nettles and honey.Squeeze the juice from freshly picked nettles, mix with honey and medical alcohol in equal parts.Leave in a cool place for 14 days and take a tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach for 2 weeks.
- Yarrow tincture with mint, licorice and calendula.Mix one tablespoon of yarrow and 2 tablespoons of mint, licorice and calendula and pour them with 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew for 7-8 hours.Take 50 ml 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
- Rubbing.
- Radishes and honey soaked in vodka.Radishes are grated, mixed with honey in equal parts and 50 ml of vodka is added.Use this composition to rub on the site of pain.
- Lard and hops.Mix one tablespoon of melted and cooled to room temperature lard with the same amount of ground hops.Rub the resulting composition into the affected area.
- Lard and propolis.Melt 150 g of lard, add 30 g of propolis and mix well.It is best to scrub the skin at night.After the procedure, you should wrap your back with a warm towel.
- Ginger and garlic.Fry the chopped ginger and garlic with the addition of oil until a homogeneous paste is obtained.Rub the resulting mixture on the painful area.
- Oregano with butter.Mix 1 tablespoon of oregano and 0.2 liters of olive oil.Leave the mixture for 10 hours, then strain and rub into the painful areas of the back.
Prognosis of osteochondrosis of the chest
The prognosis is generally favorable, complications in this form of the disease are rare.It is worth paying attention to the timely diagnosis of the disease in order to exclude other pathologies of the chest organs, as well as to carry out complete treatment and sufficient prevention of exacerbations of osteochondrosis.