Is intercostal neuralgia dangerous?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Huynh An Thien - Neurologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.

1. Classification of intercostal neuralgia

The intercostal nerve is composed of 12 pairs, originating from the thoracic marrow of the dorsal vertebrae D1 - D12. When suffering from intercostal neuralgia, the patient will have to endure prolonged pain in the ribs, paravertebral region and intervertebral region - shoulder blade. This is a common disease in adults.
Diseases of the spinal cord, spine, ribs, and chest wall can all affect the intercostal nerve. In addition, external factors such as overstretching, sitting in the wrong position,... can also affect the intercostal nerve.
There are 3 types of intercostal neuralgia:
Primary intercostal neuralgia: Patient has pain but no cause can be found; Primary intercostal neuralgia: The patient has pain when the weather is too cold, stretching too much, sitting in the wrong position or hitting the intercostal area hard; Secondary intercostal neuralgia: Consequences of degenerative lumbar spine conditions, spinal pain, back pain, diseases related to the lungs, nerves and spinal cord.

2. Some symptoms of intercostal neuralgia

Pain on one side, pain from the front of the chest, spreading along the ribs to the back next to the spine, more pain if coughing, changing position, breathing deeply, moving or pressing, touching; Pain from intercostal shingles caused by a virus attacking the nerve will have initial pain, then a red rash, blisters on the skin where the intercostal nerve is located, and finally a skin rash from the spine to the spine. sternum; Fever in the afternoon, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue,...; Appears dry scabs, when peeling causes itching, leaving dry scars.

3. Is intercostal neuralgia dangerous?

Intercostal neuralgia is a disease that greatly affects health, so it needs timely and definitive treatment. About the severity of the disease will depend on each specific case such as:
3.1 Mild and short-term intercostal neuralgia In this case, intercostal neuralgia mainly comes from trauma, movement weight or poor posture. Therefore, the disease does not pose a danger to the patient's health. However, the pain can make it difficult for patients to walk, work, and live.

Patients with mild intercostal neuralgia need to be examined for an accurate diagnosis, then use a combination of several methods such as massage, acupressure, etc. to get rid of it soon.
3.2 Severe intercostal neuralgia Intercostal neuralgia can also be a complication or a warning sign of many other dangerous diseases such as spinal tuberculosis, neuritis, diabetes, extracranial tumors myeloma, nerve root tumor, spine cancer,... These cases have a high level of danger, if not treated promptly, can threaten the patient's life.

4. Does intercostal neuralgia go away on its own?

This is an incurable disease, which can last for many days, causing persistent pain, greatly affecting the patient's daily life. Therefore, patients should not be underestimated, subjective when having intercostal neuralgia because if not treated promptly, for a long time the disease can cause paralysis, unable to walk because of the impact on many other nerves.
Therefore, when there are symptoms of pain in the intercostal region or an injury, the patient should go to the doctor immediately for timely and effective treatment.

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