Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on which vertebra has suffered from dystrophic injuries, and its intensity depends on the changes that have occurred in it. An experienced specialist, after listening to the patient's complaints, will be able to make the correct diagnosis and suggest which part of the spine has undergone serious change and destruction. The sooner the doctor diagnoses thoracic osteochondrosis and prescribes medication, the sooner relief will come.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is much less common than cervical osteochondrosis, since the thoracic spine is less susceptible to stress and deformation. But, nevertheless, it generates a lot of pain and discomfort and has a diverse variety of symptoms.
Thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms and signs
The pain is mainly localized between the shoulder blades or in the intercostal space. Thoracic osteochondrosis often manifests itself as girdle pain in the costal part of the body. Patients describe such pains with a feeling of "a stake in the chest", their mobility is impaired, since the pain penetrates with the slightest careless movement. The pain is aggravated by coughing, sneezing, deep breathing, and turning the torso. Shortness of breath appears, breathing becomes shallow and frequent. It is very difficult for the patient to raise or bend his hands, as this causes sharp and severe pain. The inconvenience is also caused by the vibration of the body, that is, riding a bike, a car on a rough road, as well as any jumps. Cooling of the body can provoke an exacerbation of pain, even with proper treatment, the disease can begin with renewed vigor.
Often the pain is localized in the spaces between the ribs. This is due to compression of the nerve roots, which leads to intercostal neuralgia. Pain sensations become stronger at night, when turning from side to side or changing posture, the patient wakes up with sharp stabbing pain, even despite treatment with analgesics.
The signs of pain are joined by sweating, tiredness and rapid fatigue, sometimes there is an increase in temperature locally over the inflamed segment of the spine.
Back and back pain signs
Strong and very sharp pain is called back pain. With thoracic osteochondrosis, back symptoms occur in people who sit immobile for a long time in a tilted forward position of the body. With a sharp rise or a change in position, the body is pierced by a sharp, sharp pain. It is so strong and unexpected that it takes your breath away and it becomes difficult to breathe. Chest and back muscles become like stones, sometimes throbbing with cramps. The treatment relieves pain and provides relief to the patient.
Dorsalgia, on the other hand, is a pain of an aching nature. It is not very intense, but it constantly reminds itself. With sudden and rapid movements, coughing, sneezing or deep inspiration, the body also pierces with a sharp pain like lightning. There are also turns and tilts of the body with difficulty and pain. The muscles of the back and chest are tense and the feeling prevails, as if the upper part of the body is held together by a belt.
To get rid of or temporarily relieve the condition of these pains, walking or light exercise is sometimes enough.
Signs of a neurological nature in osteochondrosis.
In most cases, osteochondrosis of the thoracic segment occurs, symptoms of a neurological nature. This is manifested by a feeling of "goosebumps" or loss of feeling in the abdomen or upper chest. Sometimes patients notice tension or stiffness of the muscles of the back, mainly the upper part, as well as the chest. In more severe and advanced cases, there is a violation in the work of the pelvic organs.
In men and women, thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds in almost the same way, and the symptoms are similar. The only difference is that women have a later manifestation of the disease. Women are prone to this ailment during menopause. This is due to a decrease in the hormone progesterone, which protects the spine, or rather the spinal discs, from wear and tear.
With osteochondrosis, a woman may have strange symptoms, such as peeling skin and brittle nails. Women are more difficult to tolerate both thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis, this is due to the low pain defect of the weaker sex.
Men, on the other hand, turn to specialists with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region many times more than women and the average age is about 30-40 years. Men may complain of decreased potency. The most important thing here is to confess to the doctor about the intimate problem, and not to treat it yourself.
Signs of osteochondrosis that can be confused with other diseases
Since there are many nerve fibers and endings in the thoracic region, pain behind the sternum can radiate in any direction. The symptoms of osteochondrosis are very similar to those of other diseases, which aggravates the situation with the diagnosis. Early diagnosis of osteochondrosis and initiation of treatment is very important for a more favorable evolution of the disease.
Many people confuse osteochondrosis with heart disease. But here it is worth remembering some differences. First of all, with thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain is more prolonged and cannot be treated with heart drugs. And the second sign is that there is no increase in blood pressure, as is often the case with a disease of the cardiovascular system. And most importantly, the ECG results do not show abnormalities in the work of the heart.
In women, the pain can spread to the mammary glands, and this sign of thoracic osteochondrosis is very common. In this situation, it is necessary to consult a mammologist and rule out a disease of the mammary glands.
Sometimes the patient complains of pain in the epigastric region, which can be confused with gastritis or stomach ulcers. The pain may also be localized to the right upper quadrant, and unqualified medical personnel may suspect cholecystitis or pancreatitis. With pain in the lower abdomen, appendicitis can be suspected. In such cases, it is advisable to conduct an additional ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, X-ray and EGD of the stomach, and, of course, a clinical blood test.
If the lower part of the thoracic spine is affected, the patient will have signs of intestinal diseases. But this condition does not depend on the food taken and the pain is aggravated by physical exertion.
If osteochondrosis has affected the upper part of the spine, the pain will spread to the pharynx and esophagus. The patient will feel signs of a foreign body in the throat and there may be difficulty swallowing food, especially poorly chewed food.
Only a doctor should deal with diagnosis and treatment, self-medication in this case is unacceptable.
The influence of the profession on the development of osteochondrosis.
Details of some professions can develop osteochondrosis. This is due to a sedentary lifestyle, especially in professions such as truck drivers, pilots, machinists. And also in the risk group are professions associated with weightlifting, for example, loaders. With prolonged lifting and carrying large loads, rubbing and flattening of part of the vertebrae occurs, which also leads to osteochondrosis and not only the thoracic, but also the cervical and lumbar segments of the spine. In more advanced cases, the arms or back begin to numb closer to the shoulder blade area. This is a wake-up call to contact a specialist for examination and treatment.
Most office workers are prone to cervicothoracic osteochondrosis. That is, not only the vertebrae of the thoracic region, but also the cervical vertebrae are involved in the process of change and destruction. Due to sitting for a long time in front of computers, and even in the wrong position, it causes the weakening and sagging of the muscles that support the spine. The vertebrae begin to move, thereby pinching the nerves.
Also, being immobile in one position, the blood flow to the intervertebral discs is disturbed, which leads to starvation of the disc tissues and their destruction. They experience pain in the head, shoulders, and chest. They have hearing loss and tinnitus. With a sudden elevation or movement of the head, the employee may lose consciousness, since the work of the vestibular apparatus is disrupted. Vision is often affected, and flies appear before the eyes. The muscles of the shoulder girdle and chest begin to ache, as if after a long exercise.
It happens that after treatment it is worth changing professions, since frequent relapses in the old place of work are possible.