Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is caused by damage to the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine. The symptomatology of the disease is similar to the manifestations of cervical and lumbar pathologies. Thoracic osteochondrosis is severe and is not diagnosed often.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in women
This disease is rare in women, because the thoracic part of the spine is smaller than other parts of the spine. Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is quite difficult to diagnose, because the disease usually manifests itself in the phase of disease progression.
The main symptom of thoracic osteochondrosis in women is pain. The pain can usually be localized in the back, sternum, and radiate to the upper limbs. In addition, a woman may suffer from abdominal pain. The location of the pain depends primarily on the stage of the disease.
Usually, in thoracic spine osteochondrosis, a woman feels constant, non-intense pain of a painful nature. Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis also depend on the sensitivity and individual characteristics of the female body.
In the better half of humanity, the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced: a woman's body is more sensitive, and all parts of the spine are thinner than those of a man. Degenerative and dystrophic processes in women more often cause negative reactions.
With the defeat of the thoracic ridge, the fairer sex has the following symptoms:
- pain when raising the arm or bending;
- pain in the mammary glands;
- sternum discomfort, aggravated by various loads or prolonged stay in a sitting position;
- pain with deep breathing;
- severe pain between the shoulder blades in the ridge area;
- feeling of pressure in the chest;
- vascular dystonia.
The above symptoms are caused by processes that take place in the spinal column itself. In the case of the formation of intervertebral hernias, the symptoms appear as a result of the development of vascular and neurological pathologies.
No less common manifestations in women of thoracic osteochondrosis:
- frequent occurrence of "goosebumps" and numbness of the shoulders and arms;
- feeling of burning, cold or itching in the lower extremities;
- pain in the heart area;
- increased fragility of nails, peeling skin;
- pathologies of the functionality of the digestive organs: nausea, constipation or diarrhea, bloating.
Since osteochondrosis in the chest occurs with symptoms similar to pneumonia, angina pectoris or cardiac pathologies, it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis. All the above manifestations indicate the development of thoracic osteochondrosis. However, you should not self-medicate. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
Symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis in men
Osteochondrosis of the chest in men is often diagnosed when there is a high-intensity load on the spine (for example, the disease is often detected in builders, loaders, etc. ). Clinical manifestations of osteochondrosis in this case occur gradually, while between the ribs and vertebrae there is a slow damage to the joints. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be.
In the early stages, thoracic osteochondrosis proceeds without special manifestations, and a person lives without knowing that his disease is progressing. Any discomfort is usually attributed to fatigue caused by prolonged work or uncomfortable posture.
Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis in men in the early stages:
- as a result of compaction of soft tissues, the elasticity decreases in the area of the joints and there is a crunch between the shoulder blades, in the area of the sternum, the collarbone;
- due to the impaired flexibility of the shoulder girdle, it is difficult to raise the arms and put them behind the back;
- discomfort occurs in the affected part of the chest;
- after prolonged physical activity or staying in a static position, a feeling of fatigue in the back occurs;
- pain occurs with deep breathing.
As the disease progresses, the following symptoms are observed:
- the pain becomes more intense and continuous. Due to the constant pressure on the nerve endings, pain is observed even at rest;
- numbness, burning sensation in areas with impaired sensitivity;
- periodic reflex spasms of the abdominal muscles occur, which continue with discomfort;
- a person may suffer from false attacks of angina pectoris, renal or hepatic colic;
- possible disorders of the pelvic organs, as well as a decrease in potency;
- as a result of the formation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic ridge, irritable bowel syndrome develops - a pathology of the functionality of the digestive organs.
A symptom of a feeling of coma in thoracic osteochondrosis
The feeling of coma in the sternum occurs in many patients, but not everyone attaches importance to it, because this phenomenon is characterized by short duration and disappears very quickly.
What causes this phenomenon? Usually, a feeling of coma in the sternum occurs as a result of pathology of the nervous system. However, sometimes the cause of these sensations is thoracic osteochondrosis, because there are large numbers of nerve plexuses in the chest area.
As a result of this pathology, intercostal neuralgia often develops. In this situation, the patient has pressure behind the chest, and there is pain that increases with body movements or when lifting weights. In this case, the pain is similar to a needle prick and intensifies during breathing.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region most often occurs due to improper lifestyle, sedentary work and impaired metabolism. Conservative drug treatment, manual and laser therapy will help. Patients are encouraged to engage in sports or fitness.