Chondrosis of the thoracic region is a very common pathology that develops against the background of intervertebral disc degeneration. The changes that occur in the discs cause their deformation (flattening), and the tissue from which they consist, loses its elasticity. In the future there is compression of the nerve endings, because of which a person begins to experience painful sensations.
Although the disease refers to age-related ailments, as chest chondrosis most often affects the elderly, but the first signs may appear in 35-40 years. Factors contributing to the development of the disease are:
- incorrect posture and weak back muscles;
- heavy physical labor;
- physical trauma;
- overweight;
- lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet.
In addition, alcohol abuse, smoking, and an excess of cholesterol-rich fatty foods contribute to the deposition of cartilage-damaging toxins.
Symptoms of chest chondrosis
Experts note that the symptoms of chondrosis of the thoracic region are very different. Pathology of the spine is often mistaken for other diseases. So, because of severe pain under the scapula and in the sternum, the patient thinks that he has an attack of angina pectoris, and takes nitroglycerin or validol. Pain sensations in the hypochondrium, giving into the scapula, give the impression that the exacerbation of cholelithiasis has begun. Chondrosis of the thoracic spine can also be masked for diseases of the respiratory system, the digestive tract.
The most common signs of chondrosis are:
- a feeling of discomfort in the chest area and pain giving to the left shoulder or arm;
- shortness of breath , less frequent cramping during inspiration or exhalation;
- limitation of mobility;
- tingling and numbness of the fingertips, a decrease in their tactile sensitivity;
- headache and dizziness;
- stuffiness of the ears;
- nausea.
The last three of these signs usually occur in cervico-thoracic chondrosis, when pathological processes affect not only the thoracic region, but also the cervical vertebrae.
Due to the fact that the spine of women is more fragile, the symptoms of breast chondrosis in the fair sex are usually more acute. In order not to launch an insidious disease, it is necessary to regularly undergo radiography. A timely treatment will prevent the development of degenerative changes in the spine.