Intercostal neuralgia develops against the background of compression or irritation of the intercostal nerves with something. This syndrome mainly worries people after 30 years of age; it practically does not occur in childhood. It is important to remember that shingles chest pain can have many causes, including diseases of the thoracic spine. What are the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia?
Why do symptoms of intercostal neuralgia appear?
Among the reasons for the development of intercostal neuralgia can be very diverse processes - injuries, diseases of the peripheral nervous system (polyradiculoneuritis, multiple sclerosis), diseases of an infectious nature (herpes zoster, influenza, tuberculosis), the effect on the body of drugs and heavy metals, anemia, allergic reactions, congenital pathologies of the spine, osteochondrosis, hernias.
Hypertension and atherosclerosis can also cause symptoms of intercostal neuralgia. Hormonal imbalances in women during menopause often provoke intercostal neuralgia. Diabetes mellitus can provoke the development of symptoms of intercostal neuralgia due to insufficient oxygen supply to the nerve tissues in diabetes.
What are the main symptoms of intercostal neuralgia?
Symptoms of intercostal neuralgia appear acutely and suddenly with burning, sharp, aching pain along the nerve. This pain may come on suddenly or come on gradually. With intercostal neuralgia, coughing, sneezing, sudden movements become painful, even a deep breath is accompanied by pain. Along with the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia, numbness is felt at the site of the pathological focus in the nerve, pain can radiate, changing localization due to the branched structure of the nerve.
Chest pain can be triggered by tension and increased tone of a muscle or muscle group. In this case, the pain will increase with tilting or turning the torso or tension in the scapula. Therefore, the feeling of pain under the shoulder blade, in the heart, back or lower back can be triggered by intercostal neuralgia. In addition to pain along the course of the nerve, the patient may be disturbed by such symptoms of intercostal neuralgia as increased sweating, reddening of the skin of the face, muscle twitching, and sleep may also be disturbed.
Heart pain or symptom of intercostal neuralgia?
When pain appears in the region of the heart, there is a fear that these may be pathological processes in the heart muscle. It is important to know the difference between the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia and pain in heart disease in the heart muscle. If the pain appears against the background of intercostal neuralgia, then it does not go away after a few minutes, but over time it becomes more intense and stronger, manifesting itself with other symptoms of intercostal neuralgia. The pain is aggravated by intercostal neuralgia when bending or rotating the trunk, taking a deep breath, coughing and walking.
Heart pains, as quickly as they appear, so often quickly disappear, mostly within 5 minutes. Heart pain does not change with inhalation and change of body position.
How to prevent the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia?
In order to prevent the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia, it is worth monitoring the state of health and treating the underlying diseases. It is also important to control gait and posture, for example, at the table. Stooping and standing, leaning on one leg, is not recommended. Effective physical exercises that increase the tone of the muscles of the back and abdominals. It is important not to be exposed to hypothermia, not to lift heavy objects, to exclude alcohol. Nutrition should be balanced and rational, rich in B vitamins. Starving or sticking to mono-diets during intercostal neuralgia is strictly prohibited. At the first symptoms of intercostal neuralgia, it is advisable to seek help from a specialist in order to know how to treat intercostal neuralgia.
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