5 Surprising Things You Did Not Know About Intercostal Neuralgia Symptoms
Have you been wondering how you can determine is you have contracted Intercostal Neuralgia. Here are five symptoms of Intercostal Neuralgia you should know.
About 50 million American adults (20.4%) live in chronic pain. However, many people don’t realize the root cause of their pain is caused by a more severe condition.
For example, neuralgia is a severe shooting pain that happens after a nerve is damaged or irritated. Intercostal neuralgia usually affects the rib cage area, with the pain similar to a stabbing, tearing, or spasm-like experience.
Does this pain sound familiar? Keep reading to discover five surprising things you likely didn’t know about intercostal neuralgia symptoms.
By recognizing these symptoms as soon as possible, you can get the proper help you need.
1. Excruciating Pain
Intercostal neuralgia is a form of neuropathic pain. It involves the intercostal nerves, which arise from your spinal cord, below your ribs.
This condition also caused thoracic pain, which can affect your upper trunk and chest wall.
The main symptom is a burning, shooting, or sharp pain around the:
- Ribs
- Upper chest
- Upper back
However, you might experience symptoms such as:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Squeezing pressure that wraps around your chest
This sudden attack of pain can last from a few seconds to about two minutes. The pain is often described as an excruciating electric shock. In some cases, you won’t be able to move or act during the attack.
2. Contributing Factors
There are a few factors that can contribute to intercostal neuralgia, including:
- Injuries that involve the chest
- Surgical procedures to the chest area
- Pressure on the nerves
- Shingles or other viral infections
- Intercostal nerve entrapment
- Nerve degeneration
- Neuritis (inflammation to your nerves)
- Pregnancy
- Pulled or strained muscles
- Rib infection
- Tumors in the chest or abdomen
There are also a few risk factors to consider. For example, your risk of developing intercostal neuralgia increases if you’ve contracted varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles.
Participating in sports that involve high speeds or human contact (football, wrestling, snowboarding) can contribute to the disease as well.
3. Triggers
Certain movements and actions can make your intercostal nerves pain worse. These include:
- Breathing
- Coughing
- Laughing
As a result, you might experience tightness or pressure that wraps around your chest.
4. Treatment
There are a few treatments available for intercostal neuralgia, including:
- Intercostal nerve blocks which are injected around the affected intercostal nerve
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin to reduce inflammation and pain
If caught early on, your doctor might also suggest medications to treat shingles, including:
- Antidepressant drugs to reduce intercostal nerves pain
- Antihistamines to relieve itching
- Antiviral medications to ease symptoms
- Capsaicin cream to relieve pain
- Corticosteroids to reduce the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia
Surgery can help as well. In this study, intercostal neurectomy was a successful treatment option for most patients.
5. Further Problems
When left untreated, your symptoms can cause complications such as:
- Chronic rib pain, chest pain, or weakness
- Low oxygen levels
- Permanent stiffness
- Pneumonia
- Spread of cancer
Make sure to visit a doctor as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms.
Understanding Intercostal Neuralgia: 5 Things You Didn’t Know
Don’t wait to get the help you need. If you experience these symptoms of intercostal neuralgia, visit a doctor right away.
Check out the Health section of the blog for more helpful guides.
