Is intercostal neuralgia severe?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 14, 2024
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First, it should be noted that intercostal neuralgia is not a very serious disease; it is a chronic condition but can be recovered from with long-term treatment as long as treatment is consistently followed. Commonly, treatment for intercostal neuralgia can be supplemented with physiotherapy methods such as acupuncture, massage, and cupping, which are very effective. Additionally, topical application of ointments that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis, or oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and neuro-nourishing medications, can be completely adequate. For cases where the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia are particularly severe, local block injections may be performed. Furthermore, it is important to rest and protect the affected area, avoid cold exposure, and minimize irritation to the area to facilitate recovery.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How is neuralgia treated?

Neuralgia can cause severe pain and significantly impact a patient's life. Treatment for neuralgia primarily focuses on the following aspects: First, treatment should be based on the cause of the pain. For instance, if the patient suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, antiepileptic drugs may be prescribed. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. If the neuralgia is caused by a viral infection, active antiviral treatment is required. If tumor cells invade and cause the neuralgia, tumor treatment should be administered. The second type of treatment involves symptomatic management. This mainly includes medications to relieve neuralgia, commonly comprising tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs, which can be effective in alleviating the pain and should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Causes of Neuralgia

Neuralgia is extremely painful, with patients often experiencing severe, unbearable pain. The causes of neuralgia mainly include the following types. The first type to note is viral infection, such as herpes zoster virus infection, which can leave postherpetic neuralgia. In such cases, it is crucial to actively use antivirals and employ neuropathic pain medications for treatment. The second scenario may relate to nerve compression, such as trigeminal neuralgia, which may be associated with local vascular compression causing abnormal nerve discharges. Surgical treatment might be necessary to relieve the compression. Sciatica is also caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The third case might be due to nonspecific inflammatory responses. For example, Guillain-Barre syndrome can also cause neuralgia, and treatment should be directed at the underlying cause.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to diagnose intercostal neuralgia

The examination for intercostal neuralgia includes two parts. The first part is to confirm whether it is indeed intercostal neuralgia, often based on three reasons. The first is pain that follows a semicircular path along the ribs. Second, there are usually fixed tender points or percussion points, also called trigger points, where pressing will cause pain and lead to a type of pain that radiates along the path of the intercostal nerves. The third is that it is more commonly seen between the fifth and ninth ribs, often causing pain or triggering increased pain during activities like sneezing or deep breathing. With this, it is basically possible to diagnose intercostal neuralgia. However, identifying the cause of intercostal neuralgia is very complex. The usual causes of intercostal neuralgia include five aspects: The first is congenital anomalies, the second is trauma, the third is tumors, the fourth is inflammation, and the fifth is other causes. Therefore, a complete diagnosis of intercostal neuralgia should not only confirm the presence of intercostal neuralgia but also identify the underlying cause. Only by treating the cause of the intercostal neuralgia can there be a very good treatment outcome.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is it sciatica?

It should be noted that the incidence of sciatic nerve pain is still very high in clinical settings, and there are many causes which can lead to severe pain when it occurs. Common causes of sciatic nerve pain include conditions like sciatic neuritis, which can result in patient discomfort, as well as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and lumbar tumors. Compression of the spinal nerves can also lead to sciatic nerve pain. Additionally, piriformis syndrome can cause sciatic nerve pain in patients. Determining the specific cause requires a physical examination along with some auxiliary tests to make a clear diagnosis, after which active symptomatic treatment can be completely effective.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to deal with occipital neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia is a relatively common type of neuralgia, and the following recommendations are suggested for its management: Firstly, it is important to identify the cause of the occipital neuralgia. There are many potential causes, such as cervical spondylosis, viral infections, or metastasis of tumors, among others. Actively searching for the cause and addressing it effectively, especially if it stems from cervical spine issues, is crucial. Secondly, medication can be used to alleviate symptoms. This typically includes painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is more pronounced, medications used to treat neuralgia, such as antiepileptic drugs, can also be considered. Thirdly, local physical therapy, acupuncture, and, if necessary, local block treatment in the area most affected by occipital neuralgia, can also be effective.