Chest osteochondrosis is rare; symptoms of damage to the neck and lumbar regions are more common. Chest osteochondrosis is a threat to human health. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the chest, given the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the chest, the diagnosis is problematic, as a result of which the patient becomes aware of the disease at a late stage.
The chest is not moving like other parts of the spine. The sternum is not under constant load. The factors explain the moment when the disease has no pronounced symptoms in the initial stage. The chest has a complex structure, the immobility of the chest region is related to the structure of the spine. The combination of the spine and ribs provides a reliable, durable structure that is resistant to injury.
Chest osteochondrosis develops with a slight displacement of the vertebrae that occurs as a result of stress. Osteochondrosis will not wait if a person has a curved posture, spine. The development of osteochondrosis is not as noticeable as in other parts of the spine, it enters a difficult stage, the symptoms appear, similar to the manifestations of the neck, lower back.
Causes of pain
Painful feelings do not arise for no reason. Pain syndrome is a vivid symptom of the disease. When osteochondrosis develops, the chest hurts. Manifestations of pain appear when a person deforms the intervertebral discs. This means that they become thinner, protruding, and an intervertebral hernia develops. Pain cannot be avoided with joint lesions. We are talking about the formation of osteophytes, the destruction of cartilage tissue.
Late visits to the doctor, refusal to go to the hospital, lack of treatment, its incorrect execution threatens radiculopathy. The medical term refers to the compression of nerve roots in the spinal cord. Compression of the spinal cord should be attributed. The possibility of spinal cord injury is not excluded.
Pain syndrome
No matter how difficult it is to diagnose the disease, it is beginning to manifest itself. In the first stage of the development of osteochondrosis, it is difficult to identify the symptoms, in the difficult stage their presence is not hidden. Symptoms of chest osteochondrosis are traditionally divided into two groups. The first is pain, the second is neurological manifestations.
Pain syndrome manifests itself in two forms: dorsago, dorsalgia. Often the pain is localized in the upper back, hidden between the ribs. It often occurs when a person experiences severe belt pain between the ribs with exercise, twists, the appearance of a cough, and deep breathing.
Attacks of chest osteochondrosis are confused with heart disease. The defect is many nerve autonomic fibers found in the chest region. Thanks to them, the manifestations of osteochondrosis are similar to the symptoms of heart disease: pain on the left side of the sternum, the development of an inflammatory process in the gallbladder. It is possible that simulants of stomach diseases may appear - symptoms similar to ulcers and gastritis.
Neurological symptoms
Chest osteochondrosis contains neurological symptoms:
- Numbness, flattening of the lower extremities;
- Chest numbness;
- Numbness of the abdomen, pelvis;
- Reflex tension of the muscular corset on the back, chest;
- Violation of potency;
- Disorders of the genitals, pelvic organs.
Complications of thoracic osteochondrosis are not excluded, one of which is shingles. It is important to identify the disease at an early stage of development. The symptoms of the disease are extensive, not characteristic, and there is a high risk of incorrect identification of the disease.
Signs
The disease has symptoms. Numbness between body parts appears between the signs.
The person experiences tickling (appearance of goosebumps). In chest osteochondrosis, a sharp, local decrease in temperature is possible in the lower extremities. Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by irritation, burning and itching.
Osteochondrosis is characterized by increased brittleness of the nails. The appearance of unhealthy skin conditions, peeling, especially on the face is possible. Signals are associated with vascular dysfunction. Another sign is the failure of the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of which a person with osteochondrosis often experiences indigestion and bloating.
Dorsago
The diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis begins with the identification of the main symptoms of the disease - vertebral syndromes: dorsago, dorsalgia.
Dorsago is a sudden type of acute pain that manifests in the sternum region. The syndrome often affects people with sedentary lifestyles whose occupation is to stay at work 8 hours a day, sitting in front of a computer. It should be attributed to drivers who rarely leave the car near the steering wheel.
The Dorsago is called the "chest lumbago" because it hits the area between the shoulder blades hard, unexpectedly, as if grabbing a knife. The onset of the syndrome is often accompanied by shortness of breath. Dorsago is confused with a heart attack. Treatment of the disease should be started earlier, otherwise it will not be difficult to confuse the disease. Improper treatment has complex consequences for thoracic osteochondrosis.
Dorsalgia
Dorsalgia syndrome manifests itself at a slower rate, torturing the patient for 3 weeks. The identification of the syndrome is simple, consisting of faint pain sensations in the inflamed area. The manifestations cause discomfort to the person, which makes him go to the hospital for help. In dorsalgia, the following are possible:
- Increased pain intensity with deep breathing, coughing;
- Muscle stretching;
- Decreased motor activity in the neck, lower back;
- Appearance of muscle cramps;
- Increase in pain intensity at night with physical activity.
There are two types of dorsalgia - upper, lower. With the upper, the main area of the lesion is located in the upper sternum (the area of the neck), in the second case, the lumbar region and the sacrum are characterized by pain.
It is important not to confuse the manifestations of dorsalgia with the onset of pneumonia; the manifestations are similar, improper treatment exacerbates the situation. Osteochondrosis during breast-feeding is manifested through such symptoms, and treatment should be designed with caution under medical supervision. Taking medications is selected based on acceptable medications, it is unacceptable to risk your health, the health of your child.