Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis depend on which vertebra has suffered dystrophic lesions, and their intensity depends on what changes have occurred in it. An experienced specialist, having listened to the patient's complaints, will be able to make the correct diagnosis and suggest which part of the spine has undergone a serious change and destruction. The sooner the doctor diagnoses thoracic osteochondrosis and prescribes medications, the sooner relief will come.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is much less common than cervical osteochondrosis, as the thoracic spine is less susceptible to stress and deformation. However, it causes a lot of pain and discomfort and has a wide range of symptoms.
Thoracic osteochondrosis, symptoms and signs
The pain is localized mainly between the shoulder blades or in the intercostal space. Often, thoracic osteochondrosis manifests itself as girdle pain in the rib part of the body. Patients describe such pains with the sensation of "a pole in the chest", their mobility is disturbed, as the pain pierces at the slightest careless movement. The pain is aggravated by coughing, sneezing, deep breathing and torso rotation. Shortness of breath appears, breathing becomes shallow and frequent. It is very difficult for the patient to raise his hands or tilt, as this causes sharp and intense pain. The inconvenience is also caused by body vibrations, i. e. cycling, driving 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 located in the spaces between the ribs. This is due to compression of the nerve roots, which leads to intercostal neuralgia. Painful sensations become stronger at night, when turning from side to side or changing posture, the patient wakes up from severe shooting pain, despite treatment with painkillers.
Sweating, fatigue and rapid fatigue join the signs of pain, sometimes there is a rise in temperature locally on the inflamed segment of the spine.
Back and back marks
Severe and very sharp pain is called dorsago. With thoracic osteochondrosis, dorsago symptoms occur in people who sit motionless for a long time in a forward-leaning position of the body. With a sharp rise or change in position, the body is pierced by sharp sharp pain. It is so strong and unexpected that it takes your breath away and it becomes difficult to breathe. The muscles of the chest and back become like stones, sometimes piercing with cramps. The treatment relieves the pain and brings relief to the patient.
Back pain, on the other hand, is a pain of a painful nature. It's not very intense, but it constantly remembers itself. With sudden and rapid movements, coughing, sneezing or deep inhalation, the body pierces even with a sharp and lightning-fast pain. Turns and inclinations of the body are also performed with difficulty and pain. The back and chest muscles are tense and the sensation predominates, as if the upper body is being pulled together by a belt.
To get rid or temporarily relieve the condition from these pains, it is sometimes enough to walk or do a light workout.
Signs of a neurological nature in osteochondrosis
Most often, osteochondrosis of the thoracic segment is issued, symptoms of a neurological nature. This is manifested by a feeling of "goosebumps" or numbness in the abdomen or upper chest. Sometimes patients notice tension or stiffness in the back muscles, mainly the upper, as well as the chest. In severe and advanced cases, there is a violation in the work of the pelvic organs.
In men and women, thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds almost the same, and the symptoms are similar. The only difference is that women have a later manifestation of the disease. Women are prone to this disorder during menopause. This is due to a decrease in the hormone progesterone, which protects the spinal column, or rather the vertebral discs, from wear.
With osteochondrosis, a woman can 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 often than women, and the average age is around 30-40 years. Men may complain of a decrease in potency. The most important thing here is to confess to the doctor about the intimate problem and not 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, therefore, the pain behind the breastbone can radiate in any direction. 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 are very important for a more favorable outcome of the disease.
Many people confuse osteochondrosis with heart disease. But here it is worth mentioning some differences. First, with thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain is longer over time and cannot be treated with cardiac medications. 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 results of the ECG do not show any abnormalities in the work of the heart.
In women, 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 exclude 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. Pain can also be localized in the right hypochondrium, 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-rays and EGD of the stomach, and, of course, a clinical blood test.
If the lower thoracic spine is affected, the patient will present with signs of bowel disease. But this condition does not depend on the food eaten and the pain is aggravated by physical exertion.
If osteochondrosis has affected the upper spine, the pain will spread to the pharynx and esophagus. The patient will feel the signs of a foreign body in the throat and there may be difficulty in swallowing food, especially if chewed poorly.
Only a doctor should deal with the diagnosis and treatment, self-medication in this case is unacceptable.
The influence of the profession on the development of osteochondrosis
Specifics of some professions can develop osteochondrosis. This is due to a sedentary lifestyle, especially in professions such as truck drivers, drivers, train drivers. 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 go numb closer to the shoulder blade area. This is a wake-up call to contact a specialist for examination and treatment.
Most of the employees 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 prolonged sitting at the computer, and even in the wrong position, it leads to weakening and flaccidity of the muscles that support the spine. The vertebrae begin to move, thus pinching the nerves.
In addition, being immobile in one position, the blood flow of 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 sharp rise or movement of the head, the employee can lose consciousness, as the work of the vestibular apparatus is disrupted. Vision is often impaired and flies appear before the eyes. The muscles of the shoulder girdle and chest begin to ache, as after a long exercise.
It happens that after treatment it is worth changing professions, as frequent relapses in the old workplace are possible.