Chameleon disease is often called osteochondrosis of the chest. It is quite difficult to diagnose, it is often confused with other diseases. At the same time, osteochondrosis occurs in the thoracic region infrequently and is a lesion of the intervertebral discs.
How does the disease occur?
Osteochondrosis, which affects the thoracic spine, is often disguised as a pathology of the internal organs. It is manifested by pain in the heart, shortness of breath, a feeling of shortness of breath when inhaling, panic attacks. Therefore, the diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis is somewhat difficult.
The intervertebral discs of each section of the spine consist of a nucleus pulposus and a stronger annulus fibrosus. The latter protects the semi-liquid core and prevents it from being damaged.
However, for certain reasons, there are situations when the metabolic processes slow down and, as a result, the pressure on the discs increases. In this case, the disk is deformed, its structure is disturbed.
If treatment is not started at this stage, the symptoms become even more pronounced. The annulus fibrosus may crack and the nucleus may dry out.
The disease leads to infringement of spinal nerves, destruction of joints.
Causes of the disease
Various reasons can provoke the appearance of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region, the most common among them are:
- chest trauma;
- inactivity, sedentary work (applies to those who work on a computer or are a driver);
- scoliosis.
Also, problems with the thoracic region are associated with its structure. In this interval of the spine there are many more crowded discs than in the lumbar or cervical region. Due to the presence of ribs and 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 symptoms, treatment is delayed, osteochondrosis in the thoracic region can lead to a number of complications and problems, including:
- intercostal neurology - when the intercostal nerves are compressed;
- spinal cord compression;
- shortness of breath, problems with the work of the heart;
- problems with the functioning of the intestines, liver, kidneys;
- stool problems;
- hernia.
What diseases can be confused with osteochondrosis?
As mentioned above, the symptoms of osteochondrosis do not always allow to quickly establish a diagnosis. That is why osteochondrosis of the chest can be accidentally confused with:
- pathologies of the mammary glands;
- Diseases of the digestive system;
- pneumonia (two diseases can be distinguished through 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);
- kidney colic.
Symptoms
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, symptoms of radiculopathy occur most often, that is, those associated with compression of the nerve trunks and the appearance of a hernia between the vertebrae. In this case, severe pain manifests itself after physical work, training. Symptoms over the next several weeks become more pronounced, depending on the location of the hernia. If at the top, then the liver, heart and stomach suffer. If it is lower, then the problems are related to the kidneys.
The location of the hernia also has a significant impact on symptoms. So, if it is located closer to the middle, the pains become stronger, continue for several weeks continuously and do not subside after taking medication. Lateral hernia is manifested by periodic and mild pain, local loss of sensitivity is possible.
Osteochondrosis of the chest, which is accompanied by compression of the spinal cord, has the following symptoms:
- Strong pain;
- limb numbness;
- pain radiates to the stomach, groin, legs;
- pelvic organ dysfunction.
In addition to the above, osteochondrosis can manifest additional symptoms, in particular:
- numbness of individual areas of the skin;
- sensation of "goosebumps" in the thoracic spine;
- nail brittleness;
- dry skin, peeling;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea or, conversely, constipation);
- giving pain in the throat;
- itching or cold sensation in the lower extremities.
Dorsago as a consequence of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region
Osteochondrosis in the thoracic spine is characterized by the presence of a back. This is one of its main symptoms. In fact, the word "dorsago" should be understood as a very strong and sudden pain in the chest. It is often called a "shot", since the sensations in this case are the same as with a stab wound. A severe back attack 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.
Mild but increasing and prolonged pain in the chest region is called dorsalgia. More pronounced symptoms when a person bends over. The pain can also intensify at night, especially often this happens in women suffering from osteochondrosis who wear shoes with heels.
Diagnosis
With thoracic osteochondrosis, effective treatment must be carried out. Symptoms without it will only intensify and interfere with normal life.
Having discovered the symptoms, the doctor directs the patient for further examination. Among the diagnostic methods that are most often used for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, there are:
- magnetic resonanceThe tomograph allows to obtain a clear three-dimensional image and with contrast of the area of the human body that is being studied. Thus, the doctor can see the state 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 needs to expose the thoracic spine and lie on a special couch. The scanner, which is placed above the person, at this time takes a photo of the sections.
- Ultrasound procedure. Before carrying out treatment, it is worth making sure that osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not accompanied by tumors. For this, an ultrasound method is suitable. The device clearly shows the status of soft tissues, joints and intervertebral discs. As in the first case, the procedure does not take much time and is painless. With the help of an ultrasound examination, the thoracic region of pregnant women and even children can be examined.
Of course, the doctor does not offer any treatment until the patient has passed the general clinical tests of blood and urine, and also until the results of the electrocardiogram are available. The latter allows the doctor, with similar symptoms, to distinguish thoracic osteochondrosis from a heart attack or other heart problems.
Treatment
As for a neuropathologist, a patient with thoracic osteochondrosis will receive a 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 - its goal is to relieve pain, muscle spasms, reduce the inflammatory process, restore the tissues around the joints and vertebrae;
- physiotherapy - is aimed at using ultrasonic waves, electric current or laser to relieve acute pain in the thoracic region and reduce the negative effects of osteochondrosis, provides treatment for joints;
- manual therapy - thanks to the massage movements of a specialist, it is possible to align the position of the discs of the thoracic region, relieve spasm;
- isometric kinesiotherapy (gymnastics treatment) - helps to improve the mobility of the thoracic region, relieves pain.
In addition to the methods described above, the treatment of osteochondrosis can be carried out by hirudotherapy, millimeter wave therapy, apitherapy, magnetic therapy and other methods.