Intercostal neuralgia - symptoms, treatment, prevention
In today's article, we will understand what intercostal neuralgia is, consider its symptoms and treatment methods at home.
Intercostal neuralgia is irritation or compression of the intercostal nerves, accompanied by severe pain, which in its intensity resembles renal colic. Pain is intermittent and can intensify with sneezing, sudden movements, or severe coughing.
By nature, this pathological process is included in the category of tunnel neuropathies. The nerve trunk is located in the intercostal space and passes in the canal of connective tissue. The hurtful effect leads to the fact that the ligaments, bones and muscles pinch the nerve, as a result of which pain sensations appear.
Causes of Neuralgia
There are many causes of nerve injury. We are talking about lesions and diseases of the spine. Other diseases contribute to the development of the disease, including diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, disorders of the ligamentous apparatus and others.
The list of reasons for the appearance of intercostal neuralgia includes professional factors that cause tension of the musculoskeletal system, disorders in the development of the nervous system.
According to statistics, in 80 percent of cases, intercostal neuralgia causes radiculitis or osteochondrosis. Moreover, the disease in question is the main symptom of ailments.
As for the factors contributing to the development of pathological processes, including injuries, strong loads on the supporting apparatus, the postoperative condition of the spine and frequent hypothermia. According to doctors, the disease is often encountered after fifty years. This is due to age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system.
Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia
Any disease has symptoms, and intercostal neuralgia is no exception. What constitutes an ailment, why and when it appears, we figured out. Now consider the symptoms.
Heartache - the main symptom. The pain is neuropathic and can be dull, aching, unpleasantly burning or acute. It is caused by diseases related to the nervous system. It appears occasionally in some patients, and constantly torments others. Strengthens during high physical activity, sneezing, loud dialect, sudden movements of the body and changes in body position.
Pain in palpating the body. This may be the chest, spine and intercostal region. In the segment of the chest in which a sharp pain manifests itself, a damaged nerve fragment is located. The pain disappears over time, due to necrosis of the nerve root. As a result, the patient calms down, but this does not mean that the disease has gone away with the pain syndrome. The person’s state changes, new sensations appear, including heaviness in the chest and shallow breathing.
Lower back pain. This reflection of pain does not allow us to state the primary source of nerve damage.
There are intercostal neuralgia and other symptoms. We are talking about tangible muscle contractions, twitching, intense sweating and a change in skin tone, which can turn red or pale. In some areas, the sensitivity of the skin decreases.
Often patients take an “antalgic” posture, especially with osteochondrosis. The body leans towards the healthy side. Such manipulations with the body help to stretch the intercostal space, which reduces pressure and reduces pain. In this technique, fear plays an important role, due to the expectation of a pain syndrome. The suffering person tries to be in this position for as long as possible.
If you suspect any intercostal neuralgia, be sure to consult your doctor. The appearance of acute, sharp, not releasing pain in the intercostal space is the first messenger of intercostal neuralgia. Medical practice shows that the disease appears in middle-aged and older people. It is accompanied by bouts of pain that occurs with any movement, sudden breathing and coughing. If these symptoms appear, go through an examination to exclude the likelihood of heart disease. If the results of the examination confirm the presence of neuralgia, the doctor will prescribe medications that stop cramping and pain. Not every person has the opportunity to go to the clinic. In this case, it is important to know how intercostal neuralgia is treated at home. I’ll talk about this. Self-treatment using painkillers and other drugs without the supervision of a doctor can lead to the transition of the disease into a chronic form! Be sure to consult a doctor! Choose the appropriate treatment for neuralgia, procedures and drugs that contribute to a quick recovery and prevent the transition to a neglected form, only a doctor can do! Consider the treatment of intercostal neuralgia in a clinical setting. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by means of fluorography and electrocardiography. As with any other disease, be it chickenpox or cystitis, you can cope with neuralgia on your own, however, a quick result provides only treatment under the supervision of a doctor. The patient himself can accelerate recovery. During therapy, it is recommended to carefully choose clothes to wear. Wardrobe items should not squeeze the chest, restrict movement or tighten the body. Women can’t replace model bras with sports counterparts. It is also better to give up active movements, get enough sleep and pay attention to relaxing physical exercises. A few words about disease prevention. It is recommended to avoid colds and hypothermia. If inflammatory processes appear in closely located tissues and organs, start the fight with them immediately. I hope that thanks to the material you will restore health faster. Use preventative measures comprehensively to mobilize the body's reserve forces.Treatment of intercostal neuralgia at home
How to treat neuralgia in a clinical setting
Prevention of intercostal neuralgia