Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease that manifests itself with the degradation of the tissue structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. There are three types of osteochondrosis, depending on the part of the spine affected by the disease: lumbar, thoracic and cervical.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine
Thoracic osteochondrosis does not manifest itself immediately and in the initial stages can be almost invisible. Therefore, in order not to trigger the disease, one should not ignore its first symptoms and manifestations.
The main symptom is chest pain during movement, physical activity and even when maintaining a body position for a long time. It can manifest itself as acute, sudden and severe pain that makes movement and breathing difficult (dorsago) or as moderate pain that gradually increases (dorsalgia).
Symptoms similar to back pain do not always indicate the presence of spinal problems, therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, it is advisable to undergo a complete examination.
Symptoms may also include tension in the chest muscles, a feeling of tightness, a feeling of weakness in the limbs, and partial or total loss of sensation in the limbs.
Symptoms can also manifest themselves at the level of the autonomic system, in particular as follows:
- heachache;
- sleep disorders;
- pain in internal organs, which can be confused with manifestations of other diseases (for example, pain in the stomach, heart and kidneys);
- local peeling of the skin, thinning of the nails;
- feeling of cold in the arms and legs, chills;
- reduced sweating where nerve fibers are pinched by the affected vertebrae.
If you have discovered any of the listed symptoms and need to consult a doctor who treats osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine or any other specialist, contact a professional medical center. Doctors will select a convenient time for your appointment and answer any questions you may have.
Since some symptoms are characteristic of both osteochondrosis and a number of other diseases (such as stomach ulcers, gastritis, renal and heart failure, hypertension, migraines), it is recommended to undergo ultrasound and ECG to exclude these pathologies.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
There are some reasons for the onset of the disease. More precisely, there are a number of factors that negatively affect health and can provoke osteochondrosis. For each patient the set of these factors may be different, therefore, to identify and exclude them, it is advisable to seek advice from a neurologist.
List of the most common situations that have a negative impact on the spine:
- excessive physical activity;
- passive lifestyle;
- incorrect posture and incorrect body position during sleep, when sitting at the table, etc. ;
- hereditary diseases;
- violation of metabolic processes;
- injuries;
- and a number of other factors.
Consequences of the development of thoracic osteochondrosis
Thoracic osteochondrosis, in addition to the similarity of symptoms with other diseases, is also dangerous in that it can provoke the onset of many different diseases due to compression of blood vessels and nerve endings by damaged vertebrae.
Therefore, osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can lead to diseases of the internal organs (heart, kidneys, stomach, lungs, intestines), as well as pathologies of the respiratory system.
Diagnosis and treatment of the thoracic spine
A comprehensive examination, diagnosis and diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is possible only when using an integrated approach. The doctor usually turns to diagnostic methods such as:
- oral questioning of the patient to identify symptoms and negative factors affecting the body;
- examination and palpation of the spine;
- check reflexes, skin and muscle sensitivity;
- x-ray to determine the localization of the disease;
- computed tomography (CT) to determine whether spinal cord injuries are present;
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can evaluate all the tissues and vessels around the spine.
If you are not sure which doctor you should contact in case of symptoms, go to a specialized clinic for an appointment, where they will tell you which specialist will help you solve the problem.
To treat spinal problems in the medical center you can also use an integrated approach. The combination of various treatment methods and modern rehabilitation procedures allows you to eliminate the manifestations of the disease and reduce the risk of relapse due to the overall health of the body.
Some methods that have proven effective in treating spinal problems:
- Physiotherapy;
- osteopathy;
- manual therapy;
- psychotherapy;
- pharmacological therapy.
Please note that only a doctor can prescribe competent and effective treatment. If you are unsure about what tests or procedures are needed, contact specialists for advice.