Intercostal neuralgia is a pain sensation that spreads along the entire length of the nerve trunk and its branches, arising from irritation or compression of the nerve.
The causes of intercostal neuralgia can be – mechanical damage and infectious diseases, allergies and pathologies of the nervous system, diseases of the spine, low immunity and excessive tone of the spinal muscles.
The factors provoking the development of intercostal neuralgia are pathologies of the cardiovascular system and diabetes, which impede the process of oxygen saturation of nerve endings; abuse of alcohol that poisons the body; Vitamin B deficiency in the body, which often accompanies chronic gastrointestinal pathology and so on.
Manifestations of intercostal neuralgia
The development of intercostal neuralgia is accompanied by bouts of severe pain in the region of the intervals between the ribs. The pain can become more intense during inspiration or with a sudden movement of the body, for example, during sneezing or coughing. Simultaneously with pain, loss of sensitivity of the skin in the area above the diseased nerve may occur. The nerves between the ribs have branches that extend to different tissues and internal organs, due to which the pain can radiate to the location of the heart muscle or scapula. Because of this, intercostal neuralgia can be confused with heart pain.
The difference between pain during the development of intercostal neuralgia from pain in the heart muscle is that its intensity directly depends on the movements of the chest, and that it cannot be removed with nitroglycerin. However, with the development of a heart attack, pain similar to the specificity of pain with intercostal neuralgia can occur. Therefore, if you feel such pain for the first time and in the absence of an opportunity to establish its cause, you need to call a doctor.
Remedies for intercostal neuralgia
Remedies for intercostal neuralgia can reduce soreness and should aim to eliminate the cause of nerve injury.
The first few days after the development of intercostal neuralgia should adhere to bed rest. In this case, it is necessary to lie on a rather hard surface. To reduce the intensity of pain, painkillers for intercostal neuralgia are used, as well as sedatives. With severe pain, novocaine blockades help. Effective remedies for intercostal neuralgia are physiotherapy procedures – irradiation with ultraviolet and infrared rays, heating and electrophoresis, as well as acupuncture.
As a means of intercostal neuralgia for external use, ointments and creams are used that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Such drugs for intercostal neuralgia relieve muscle cramps and normalize metabolic processes. After rubbing the affected area with the product, it is necessary to wrap up warmly.
An effective remedy for intercostal neuralgia is ointment based on beekeeping products. They relieve inflammation and reduce soreness.
As a distracting remedy for intercostal neuralgia, you can use a pepper patch with painkillers.
Elimination of the causes of intercostal neuralgia is carried out after examination. As therapeutic and preventive measures can be carried out – therapeutic massage, manual treatment courses and exercises of special physiotherapy exercises.
If drug treatment is ineffective, surgical intervention is performed to eliminate the cause of intercostal neuralgia, for example, if the pain is caused by an intervertebral hernia or osteochondrosis.