Chameleon disease is often called chest osteochondrosis. It is quite difficult to diagnose, often confused with other diseases. At the same time, osteochondrosis rarely occurs in the thoracic region and is a lesion of the intervertebral disc.
How does the disease occur?
Osteochondrosis, which affects the thoracic spine, often masquerades as pathology of internal organs. It is shown by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, lack of air when inhaling, panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is quite difficult.
The intervertebral disc of each spine consists of the nucleus pulposus and the stronger annulus fibrosus. The latter protects the semi-liquid core and prevents it from being injured.
However, for certain reasons, there are situations when the metabolic process slows down and, as a result, there is increased pressure on the disc. In this case, the disc is deformed, its structure is disturbed.
If treatment is not started at this stage, symptoms become more pronounced. The annulus fibrosus may be cracked and the nucleus dry.
This disease leads to the violation of spinal nerves, destruction of joints.
Cause of disease
Various reasons can trigger the appearance of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, the most common of which are:
- chest trauma;
- inactive, sedentary work (applies to those who work at computers or drivers);
- scoliosis.
In addition, problems with the thoracic region are associated with its structure. In this intervertebral space, there are more congested discs than in the lower back or in the cervical region. Due to the presence of ribs and a muscular corset, the thoracic region moves less.
There are cases when the main cause of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region of the spine is osteochondrosis of other departments.
What is the danger of osteochondrosis?
If, despite the presence of symptoms, treatment is delayed, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region can lead to a number of complications and problems, including:
- intercostal neurology - when the intercostal nerve is compressed;
- spinal cord compression;
- shortness of breath, problems with the work of the heart;
- problems with bowel, liver, kidney function;
- stool problems;
- hernia.
What diseases can be confused with osteochondrosis?
As mentioned above, the symptoms of osteochondrosis do not always make it possible to make a diagnosis quickly. That is why osteochondrosis of the chest can be accidentally confused with:
- mammary gland pathology;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- pneumonia (two diseases can be distinguished by dry cough, shortness of breath and fever with pneumonia. In the case of osteochondrosis, such symptoms are not observed);
- heart attack (in this case, osteochondrosis can be distinguished through a cardiogram);
- renal colic.
symptoms
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, symptoms of radiculopathy most often occur, that is, those associated with compression of the nerve trunk and the appearance of intervertebral hernias. In this case, severe pain appears after physical labor, training. Symptoms in the following weeks become more pronounced, depending on the location of the hernia. If in the upper part, then the liver, heart, stomach suffer. If it is lower, then the problem is related to the kidneys.
The location of the hernia also has a significant effect on symptoms. So, if it is located closer to the center, the pain becomes stronger, continues for several weeks continuously, and does not decrease after taking medicine. Lateral hernia is indicated by periodic and mild pain, loss of local sensitivity is possible.
Osteochondrosis of the chest, which is accompanied by compression of the spinal cord, has the following symptoms:
- severe pain;
- numbness of limbs;
- pain radiating to the abdomen, groin, legs;
- pelvic organ dysfunction.
In addition to the above, osteochondrosis may show additional symptoms, in particular:
- numbness of individual skin areas;
- feeling of "goosebumps" in the thoracic spine;
- nail fragility;
- dry, flaky skin;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea or, conversely, constipation);
- gives pain in the throat;
- itching or coldness on the bottom of the legs.
Dorsago due to osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is characterized by the presence of dorsago. This is one of the main symptoms. In fact, the word "dorsago" should be understood as a very strong and sudden pain in the chest. It is often called "shooting", because the sensation in this case is the same as with a stab wound. A severe attack of dorsago makes it difficult to breathe and makes it impossible to move freely. This happens after prolonged physical exertion in people who already suffer from osteochondrosis and joint diseases.
Slight, but developing and prolonged pain in the thoracic region is called dorsalgia. Symptoms are more noticeable when a person bends over. The pain can also increase at night, especially often this happens in women suffering from osteochondrosis who wear shoes with heels.
Diagnostics
With thoracic osteochondrosis, effective treatment must be carried out. Symptoms without it will only intensify and interfere with normal life.
After knowing the symptoms, the doctor directs the patient for additional examination. Among the most frequently used diagnostic methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, there are:
- MRI. Tomography makes it possible to obtain a clear three-dimensional image with contrast of the area of the human body being studied. Therefore, the doctor can see the condition of the vertebrae of the thoracic region, assess the health of the joints. The procedure does not take much time (from 20 to 55 minutes) and is painless. The patient should expose the thoracic spine and lie on a special sofa. The scanner, which is placed over the person, is currently taking pictures of the part.
- Ultrasound procedure. Before carrying out treatment, it is desirable to make sure that osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not accompanied by a tumor. For this, the ultrasound method is suitable. The device clearly shows the condition of soft tissues, joints, intervertebral discs. As in the first case, the procedure does not take much time and is painless. With the help of ultrasound examination, the thoracic area of pregnant women and even children can be examined.
Of course, no treatment is offered by the doctor until the patient passes a general clinical blood and urine test, and also until the electrocardiogram results are available. The latter allows doctors, with similar symptoms, to distinguish chest osteochondrosis from a heart attack or other heart problems.
Treatment
Turning to a neuropathologist, patients with thoracic osteochondrosis will receive the recommended course of treatment. Methods and drugs, as well as the duration of their use, are determined by the doctor in each individual case. As a rule, when osteochondrosis is detected in the chest, doctors recommend:
- drug treatment - the goal is to relieve pain, muscle spasms, reduce the inflammatory process, restore tissue around joints and vertebrae;
- physiotherapy - aims to use ultrasonic waves, electric current or laser to relieve sharp pain in the thoracic region and reduce the negative effects of osteochondrosis, provides treatment for joints;
- manual therapy - thanks to expert massage movements, it is possible to adjust the position of the discs of the thoracic region, relieve spasms;
- isometric kinesiotherapy (gymnastics treatment) - helps increase the mobility of the thoracic region, relieves pain.
In addition to the methods described above, osteochondrosis treatment can be carried out using hirudotherapy, millimeter wave therapy, apitherapy, magnetic therapy and other methods.