Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

Pain in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can easily be confused with a heart attack. Shoots and stabs in the heart. But there are other symptoms observed stiffness, deteriorating the sensitivity.

The mechanism of development of pains

Thoracic spine less exposed to degenerative processes. Occurs because the vertebrae of the chest are very sedentary. They are protected by the frame edges, which ensure that the relative peace and support. Thus, the thoracic vertebrae are less inclined to load and injure the intervertebral discs.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic develops according to a complex of reasons, the main of which is the upright posture of homo sapiens. Evolutionary we stood up, but our cartilage tissue did not have time enough to adapt to that, by the standards of the development of rapid, change.

Cartilage does not regenerate. They consist of only a tenth of the cells producing the elastic cushion, the rest of the space is occupied by extracellular fluid matrix. Under the influence of endless trauma and stress in the human lifecycle they are deformed and can no longer recover to its original condition.

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But the main factor – not even the status of the disks, and metabolic processes in them. The vertebrae and intervertebral discs receive nutrients not directly from the capillaries and from the neighboring soft tissues, which are dotted with tiny capillaries. These tiny vessels are also prone to death from time of trauma and stress. Deteriorating metabolic processes in tissues, they become very vulnerable to microtraumas.

Pain attacks

Drive, devoid of the necessary nutrients and subsequently injured, dries and changes shape, reduced its height. If the impact in this case is too strong, it can go beyond the physiological limits of the disk. Formed by protrusion of the thoracic. If the dense fibrous shell breaks, soft purposee the contents of the disk can come out. In both cases it is possible a pinched nerve and subsequent inflammation that will cause severe pain.

In addition, the vertebrae, not suppressed sufficiently by the spring disk may deform or pinch the nerve root. Or begin to wear off, affecting each other, the edges of the vertebral bodies. Instead of obliterated bone the body will create a new one, but in the form spinous processes. These growths, called osteophytes, will be even harder to injure the intervertebral discs of the thoracic. They can also pinch nerve roots, and in addition, their contacts restrict movement, creating a feeling of stiffness and ossification.

To prevent pain attack, you should avoid the following factors:

• Exposure to low temperatures and draughts;
• Sudden movements;
• Heavy lifting;
• Long sitting or standing;
• Prolonged physical stress;
• Overweight.

The nature of the pain syndrome

Compression of a nerve root in most cases lead to the inflammatory process. Features of pain in osteochondrosis is caused by the fact that in osteochondrosis of the thoracic may be affected nerves Innervate the heart, upper extremities, lungs.

Patients with osteochondrosis of the thoracic often experience shortness of breath during attacks, they feel a shortness of breath. Respiratory rhythms become painful, stabbing pain in his chest forced to suffer in the moment of a breath.

The patient gets tired quickly, especially he has a hard time with movement of the body, such as straightening of the spine. There is no possibility long to sit or stand in one place without movement, there is a painful desire to be kneaded. Haunted by the painful sensation of stiffness.

In the case of the inflammatory process additional symptom of osteochondrosis of the thoracic may be the fever, until the fever. Increased sweating, can cold hands.

Low back pain in women occurs in a more severe form. This is due to the fact that closer to old age reduced the level of female hormones that are at a younger age play a role anesthetic.

Intercostal neuralgia

One of the main symptoms in osteochondrosis of the thoracicbecomes intercostal neuralgia. Pathology is characterized by pricking and shooting pains in the area between the ribs. Syndrome intercostal neuralgia has different pathogenesis, the most common cause is thoracic osteochondrosis. The mechanism of development of such symptoms is the pressure and pinching the nerve roots in the thoracic spine.

Muscle spasms increase pain in the thoracic osteochondrosis. In fact, it is a defensive reaction of the organism, which is trying to prevent additional movements and further damage to nervous tissue. The spasm also carries pain and painful stiffness. Do not try to overcome the contraction of the muscles – it is easier not to become. Instead, relax, take a pain reliever. Try to calm down, and when the pain starts to subside, little by little, overcome muscle spasms. Don't bring yourself the extra pain, be aware of the protective functions of the spasms.

Pain have around of localization, and in most cases affected only one half of the back.

Sudden movements, coughing, sneeze, and laugh sharply increase the pain. Like other pain in thoracic osteochondrosis, the pain may be in the same rhythm with the breath and with each breath comes the piercing feeling.

• Suggest to read: whether in osteochondrosis sick chest?

Pain, irradia heart

In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine patients often confuse back pain with pain in the heart. This is due to the fact that deformation and compression can be subjected to the nerve endings, innervating the heart. If such effects occur over a long period, they can actually lead to deterioration of the cardiovascular system. But most often it occurs only in the mode of attack, and the patient uses drugs from pain of heart, not knowing that the problem lies in osteochondrosis of the thoracic.

If you can't understand what you suffer from is thoracic degenerative disc disease or cardiac pain, pay attention to the following symptoms characteristic of compression of the nerve roots of the chest. Try to understand how it hurts:

• Pain syndrome is usually not concentrated in the heart, and the heart in the spine;
• Becomes worse when moving, when you try to turn the body, the pain burning;
• If you touch the front of the chest, you may find that the minimum pressure increases the pain;
• Pain has no clear localization, relevant to the area of the collarbone, shoulder blades, diaphragm.

Treatment

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic – disease, which requires a change in lifestyle, not just to consume a large quantity of drugs. To slow degenerative processes of the thoracic intervertebral discs, it is necessary to improve blood circulation in the surrounding tissues. Here are useful exercises, physical therapy, massages and physiotherapy, swimming in the pool. You will also need to eliminate bad habits, unhealthy foods, to lose weight.

But all it can think of, only when the aggravation has passed. At the time of the attack the main task – to stop the pain symptoms, stiffness, inflammation. A big mistake that many people with back problems patients are warming up the affected area. Inflammatory foci in the first two days after the start of the exacerbation can not be subjected to heat treatment. Much better suited to relieve pain, ice packs and gels with menthol component.

• Suggest to read: how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine?

The medication with the attack will help to cope primarily analgesics, for example, Ketorol, Ketanov. Inflammation fighting drugs such as Diclofenac or Ibuprofen. But non-steroidal anti-inflammatory impact on the digestive tract.

To minimize harm, pharmacists have developed drugs with similar positive effects – Celecoxib, Etoricoxib. NSAIDs also easy to find in the form of ointments, in which case the side-effects from the digestive system is also reduced.

If the pain is unbearable or does not respond to conventional medications, doctors may prescribe an injection that blocks nerve impulses. As the current substance infections is typically used Novocaine.

• Take note: ointment of degenerative disc disease of the thoracic

Such injections have a potent analgesic effect, but are long – usually only a couple of days. Injections of novocaine, even in severe attacks of thoracic osteochondrosis should be avoided as they have side effects – loweringpressure, General weakness, skin rashes.