Degenerative and 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 thoracic spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
- Hereditary.
Damaged or mutated genes responsible for normal bone growth are inherited.Therefore, if there are people in the family suffering from this disease, the risk of osteochondrosis increases significantly. - Sedentary lifestyle.
In this case, the extension and overload of the spine is important, leading to the compression of the vertebrae and the development of the disease.This is more common among people who work on computers and among drivers. - Vascular pathology.
Any disease of the vessels that supply the spinal column with blood and cause a sufficient supply of nutrients to the spinal tissues, causes the appearance of degenerative and dystrophic changes in the seeds without it. - Metabolic disorders in the body.
Most often, diabetes mellitus causes changes in blood vessels that disrupt tissue trophism.In addition, direct changes in the vertebral tissue are possible in cases of phosphorus-calcium metabolism in thyroid and parathyroid gland pathologies and adrenal cortex diseases. - Infections and intoxications.
Viruses, as a result of the action of bacteria or toxins, can cause the development of osteochondrosis. - Overweight.
The constant overload of the spine leads to the compression of the intervertebral discs with the further development of processes under osteochondrosis. - Poor nutrition.
The lack of trace elements (for example, calcium), the lack of vitamins (D3) can 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 thoracic spine, causing compression of the intervertebral discs.In old age and old age, the muscular framework of the spine also weakens. - Injuries of the thoracic spine.
Bruises and fractures of the decagonal arches due to a fall or car injury are not uncommon.At the same time, anatomical changes in the vertebra and surrounding tissues are a direct reason for the development of the pathological process that is the cause of osteochondrosis. - Scoliosis
"School" pathology, which develops in the children of these educational institutions, where health-saving technologies are not used, mainly occurs in the thoracic spine.The curvature of the spine significantly changes the load on individual segments of the spine, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis. - Sports and occupational hazards.
Sports stress (for example, heavy athletes), as well as work related to heavy lifting, body (turns, flexion and extension, jerking movements) can also cause persistent pathological changes of the spine.In addition, when standing, sitting, sitting, sitting, stretching or lifting heavy objects or carrying out other work, performing other work and other work in the whole, in the case of increased osteochondrosis, sits - Other causative factors and risks of the development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Above the spine associated with foot diseases, but also uncomfortable shoes, high heels and pregnancy, in women, professional athletes, sudden cessation of regular training and finally, nervous tension and stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
All symptoms of the disease can be divided into reflex and compression.
Reflex symptoms
The mechanism of appearance is irritation of receptors of intervertebral ligaments, capsules of intervertebral joints and receptors of intervertebral discs.Irritation (spreading) to neighboring segments of the spinal cord can cause the appearance of various symptoms.
The main ones are: pain in the chest, abdomen or heart, tension in the chest muscles, autonomic symptoms from the internal organs.The pain is always sharp, described by patients as a stab from a dagger.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 thoracic spine are more common than compression symptoms.
Compression symptoms
Compression symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine 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 verses, loss of sensation in them, "radicular" pain in the back and chest.Pain, "pulling" felt in the chest, in the abdomen, movement, twisting the body, coughing, sneezing, laughing.A "creeping", numbness and tingling sensation appears.As the pathology progresses, movement disorders and muscle atrophy may appear.Muscle tone increases, sensitivity in the lower extremities decreases, and urinary disorders may appear.
Other autonomous symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Autonomic symptoms in osteochondrosis appear due to the fact that the nerve fibers from the thoracic spine consist of autonomous autonomous conductors;Irritation or disruption of these fibers may be accompanied by autonomic symptoms.The main ones are: pinched nerve, sweating and local disturbance of terminal and thermoregulation (as well as the innervation zone), brittle nails, brittle nails of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer, cholestasis), pain in the back, pain in the heart.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine (with a combination of drug and non-drug methods) should be individual and systemic.
Drug treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The main tasks of these methods are to relieve pain, muscle tension, improve microcirculation and tissue trophism.For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and muscle tension.These funds are assigned for 7-14 days on average.Local anesthetic applications are prescribed.In cases of insufficient effect of non-steroidal analgesics, an analgesic mixture is used.The mixtures are administered intravenously using saline or glucose.Paravertebral blocks have a rapid analgesic effect when an analgesic is injected into the soft tissue of the perivertebral regions.
To relieve pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, irritant and distracting ointments are used topically.
Muscle tension is relieved by drugs such as muscle relaxants.
To normalize blood circulation and improve tissue nutrition, antiplatelet drugs and nicotinic acid are used.
They also use drugs that improve metabolism in intervertebral discs and joints - chondroprotectors.
Non-drug treatment
Diet for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.It is completely excluded from the diet: salt, hot spices, vinegar and salt, semi-finished products, sugar (can be replaced with honey), coffee and carbonated drinks.Allowed: beans, eggplant, cheese, dairy products, lettuce, cabbage, cuttings, bananas, liver, carrots, peas, grains, fresh vegetables, herbs, seeds and berries.
A complex treatment program for thoracic osteochondrosis, classical massage, acupressure, reflex segmental massage, physical therapy, torsion technique (stretching), acupuncture, swimming, physiotherapeutic methods (ultrasound, ultrasound, amplipulse, diodynamic currents, mud therapy, etc.)
Traditional methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine 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.It can be used as an adjunctive treatment to alleviate the following patient's condition:
- Tinctures and hecantes.
- Tincture of lingonberry leaves.Take 1 tablespoon of lingonberry leaves, pour 0.25 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.Drink half a glass morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- A decoction of parsley roots.Weigh 50 g of parsley roots, add 0.5 liters of water and boil over low heat for an hour and a half.Consume 1 tablespoon in the morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Tincture of nettle and honey.Squeeze the juice from freshly picked nettle, mix it with honey and medical alcohol in equal parts.Leave it in a cold place for 14 days and consume one spoon on an empty stomach for 2 weeks.
- Yarrow tincture with mint, licorice and calendula.Mix one spoon of yarrow and 2 tablespoons of mint, licorice and calendula and pour 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew for 7-8 hours.Take 50 ml 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
- Rub.
- Famous radish and honey with VODKA.Close the radish, mix it with honey in equal parts and add 50 ml of vodka.Use this composition to rub on the painful area.
- Pork and hops.Mix one tablespoon of melted lard and cool to room temperature with the same amount of ground hops.Rub the resulting composition on the affected area.
- Lard and propolis.Add 150 g of pork fat, 30 g of propolis and mix thoroughly.It is good to scrub the skin at night.After the procedure, you should wrap your back with a warm cloth.
- Ginger and garlic.Fry chopped ginger and garlic by adding butter until a homogeneous paste is obtained.Rub the resulting mixture on the painful area.
- Oil of Oregano.Mix 1 tablespoon of Oregano and 0.2 liters of olive oil.Leave the mixture for 10 hours, then strain it and rub it on the painful areas from the back.
Prognosis for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The prognosis is generally favorable, complications with this form of the disease are rare.Timely diagnosis of the disease, other pathologies of the chest organs, as well as exacerbations of osteochondrosis and sufficient prevention are worth paying attention to.