Neuralgia of the thoracic department. Treatment of thoracic neuralgia. Neuralgia: causes, symptoms

When suddenly the chest is pierced by a sharp pain, most sufferers involuntarily think that they were struck by a heart attack. However, immediately prepare for the worst is not worth it. Most likely, this is the intercostal neuralgia of the thoracic department. It is not as dangerous as a heart attack, but it is very, very torturous. If you do not postpone the visit to a specialist for a long time, getting rid of the disease is not so difficult.

Definition

The very term "neuralgia" is of Greek origin. Neuron means "nerve," and algos is "pain." Neuralgia of the thoracic spine is a pain reflex syndrome of a traumatic, inflammatory or compression nature that occurs due to the squeezing or irritation of the roots of the spinal nerves.

Causes of pathology

Surely everyone knows that a person has twelve pairs of ribs, and in each intercostal space there is a nerve. So the impact on him and provokes incredibly strong pain, spreading along the branches and trunk.

The cause of compression or irritation of the nerves is the deformation of the intercostal spaces, which can lead to recent or past traumas, spine diseases (curvature, osteochondrosis, herniated intervertebral disks), exposure to bacterial toxins, heavy metals, certain medications, nervous system diseases (polyradiculoneuritis, disseminated Sclerosis), infection (tuberculosis, influenza), allergies, decreased immunity.

Neuralgia of the thoracic region can also appear as a result of cardiovascular pathologies (atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, anemia) due to insufficient inflow of oxygen to the nerves. To provoke the disease are inflammatory processes in the ligaments and joints of the spine, changes associated with hormonal failures in women during menopause, deposits in the spine of salts.

Often, breast neuralgia becomes a consequence of alcohol abuse, diabetes, hypothermia, lack of B-group vitamins in the body, which is often observed with gastritis, colitis, gastric ulcer, hepatitis (especially in these diseases, the metabolism in the nerves suffers first of all). Development of the disease is possible after the transfer of herpetic infection, with diseases of internal organs, aneurysm of the thoracic part of the aorta.

However, the most common cause of intercostal neuralgia, in which all experts agree, is a sharp muscle spasm caused, for example, by an unsuccessful turn or awkward, abrupt torso movement, a prolonged stay in the same posture or draft, sleep in an uncomfortable position, unusual Physical stress on the spine. It should also be noted that in the elderly, thoracic neuralgia occurs an order of magnitude more often than in the young.

So, as you already probably understood, there are a lot of reasons for the pathology, but we have not listed the complete list yet. Under the influence of only one factor, intercostal neuralgia develops extremely rarely, usually several ailments are involved at once. Therefore, to determine where one illness ends and another begins, sometimes even an experienced doctor can not.

Neuralgia of the thoracic spine: symptoms

The main sign of pathology is pain in the ribs. It can be different: acute, burning, aching, dull, and also episodic or permanent. Soreness, as a rule, increases with any activity, for example, as a result of sneezing, coughing, with a sharp movement of the body and even a slight change in the position of the body. Also, pain occurs when palpation of certain areas: areas along the chest and spine, between the ribs.

Very often, unpleasant sensations increase with exhalation / inspiration, the breathing becomes so difficult that even a small expansion in the process of inhaling the chest responds with a sharp pain.

Symptoms of thoracic neuralgia should be distinguished from manifestations of other diseases primarily in the area of localization of pain. First, soreness is felt in the rib zone (in the intercostal spaces), but it can also be observed, for example, in the back, under the scapula, in the region of the lower back. Such irradiating sensations do not indicate a real source of nerve damage. Often, the pain in the chest is shinning: it can only occur in the right or only in the left half of this part of the body along the ribs.

Neuralgia of the thoracic symptoms may have other symptoms. So, soreness is often accompanied by a distinct twitching (contraction) of individual muscles, a change in skin color (unhealthy pallor or, conversely, redness), intense sweating. In the area of direct damage to nerve segments, the skin can be dull, that is, lose sensitivity.

Differences from diseases with similar characteristics

Pain in the chest area can occur not only with such pathology as thoracic neuralgia. Symptoms of a similar nature appear in certain vascular and cardiac diseases. To make the correct diagnosis, you need to identify the characteristics of unpleasant sensations, because the pain is different. So, with intercostal neuralgia, it is usually present constantly for a long time, increases with any movements of the body and is not removed by any medications. And with cardiac pathologies, pain sensations are characterized by periodicity, short duration and can be suppressed by various kinds of medications (for example, nitroglycerin). Also, this pain does not increase when the body turns.

Treatment of thoracic neuralgia

Correctly to find out the root cause of intense chest pain yourself you certainly can not, so self-diagnosis, and even more self-medication, is strictly prohibited. Without delay, consult a neurologist - only on the basis of a survey he can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment depending on the cause of the painful manifestations. For example, if the neuralgia of the thoracic region has arisen because of the infringement of the roots of the nerves, one should treat the underlying ailment - a herniated disc or osteochondrosis. If the cause of the pathology is shingles or a cold, you need to eliminate these diseases.

Treatment of thoracic neuralgia should be comprehensive. At the initial stage of therapy, special attention is paid to the relief and reduction of the pain syndrome, for this purpose prescribe painkillers. With neuralgia, different drugs are used. Let's talk about them in more detail.

Medication Therapy

1. Analgesics (preparations "Spazgan", "Analgin", "Sedalgin" and others). Used to reduce the main symptom - pain. Depending on the intensity of the sensations, they are taken for five to ten days three to four times a day. If you use medicines more often, the desired result does not come, but side effects may develop.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (medications Voltaren, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Piroxicam and others). They are designed to fight inflammation, but are also able to alleviate the pain syndrome, albeit to a lesser extent, than analgesics. Such medications should be used once-twice a day, because frequent use can trigger the development (or exacerbation) of gastrointestinal pathologies. It is permissible to apply NVPs for no more than five to seven days, unless the doctor has recommended otherwise. When choosing a dosage form, preference should be given to injection (injections) or rectal (candle) option. NVPs can have such forms of release as gel, cream, ointment. With neuralgia, the gel "Nimid" is good. With external use, it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Miorelaxants (medicines "Sirdalud", "Baclofen", "Clonazepam" and others). These drugs most effectively combat the pathology caused by muscle spasm. The doctor should choose the duration of the use of such medications individually.
4. B-group vitamins (B1, B6, B12). Their lack is one of the reasons why the neuralgia of the thoracic department appears. The lack of these vitamins is most often observed in people suffering from gastric diseases, diabetes, intestinal diseases, as well as those who abuse alcohol. Take vitamins should be from ten days to one month.
5. Local anesthetics (Novokain, Lidocaine). In severe pain syndrome, it is recommended to make blockades with solutions of these drugs. In this way, pain can be significantly reduced. The number of blockades varies from two to five or seven. But keep in mind: such manipulations should be performed only by a specialist, he also sets the required number of blockades.
6. Sedatives (medicines "Relanium", "Elenium"). Used to calm the patient, so to speak, reduce the brain's response to pain.
7. External medicines. Ointment in neuralgia should be selected one that would have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. With the help of such a means you can relax the muscles and improve blood circulation, which will reduce pain and pain. An example of an effective medicine is turpentine ointment. After its application, the thorax should be wrapped. Also, make sure that there are no drafts in the room. A good result in treatment is given by preparations based on bee venom, for example, ointment "Apizartron". The active substance produces relaxing and warming effects.

Other therapies

Medicamental treatment of neuralgia is far from the only method of combating the disease. We have already said that therapy should be comprehensive. The patient is also assigned physiotherapy with the use of magnetic and electromagnetic fields, infrared and ultraviolet radiation, electrophoresis of drugs, pulsed low-frequency currents of low voltage, ultrasound. Acupuncture, acupressure, manual therapy, acupuncture, moxotherapy, laser therapy can be used. If the intercostal neuralgia has arisen as a result of some disease of the spine (a herniated disc or scoliosis), then prescribe courses of therapeutic gymnastics, and if necessary do stretching the spine.

ethnoscience

If you do not have the opportunity to contact the doctor at the first symptoms of thoracic neuralgia, you can use folk remedies to ease the condition at first. But remember that with the help of them you can only for a while take off the pain, but do not eliminate the main reason for its appearance. Therefore, the main task is to pass the survey course as quickly as possible and get qualified help.

So, what folk remedies can help you? Perhaps the most popular and effective remedy is pepper plaster. Before applying it to a painful area, it must be degreased with alcohol and dry it. Wear the band-aid until you feel the warmth spreading through your body.

Another good way to eliminate chest pain involves the use of turpentine. Pour a hundred milliliters of boiling water into the container and add one hundred grams of turpentine there. Stir the mixture thoroughly, and then moisten with gauze or a soft napkin, squeeze it lightly and apply it to a sore spot. Top the film or compress paper and cover with a towel. Such a compress is allowed to hold no more than three to five minutes, after removing it, tie a warm scarf or scarf to the affected area and lie in bed for a while.

Self-massage

Reduce the pain can be by rubbing and stroking the tips of the fingers of the intercostal spaces. Do this in a sitting position. You can also knead the back muscles or fold the hands in the lock with both hands and perform grinding from the waist to the shoulder blades. In addition, massage of the reflexogenic zone located on both sides of the thoracic region between the first lumbar and seventh cervical vertebrae can help you . The most effective is the massage for two minutes between the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebrae using the "Golden Star" balm. If there is no balm at hand, just massage with clean fingers, and then apply a pepper patch to these points.

Prevention of intercostal neuralgia

Many patients ask about whether it is possible to prevent an attack. Of course you can. After all, if you know what causes the pathology, then you can prevent its appearance. The most important measure for the prevention of thoracic neuralgia is regular exercise. Systematically do exercises that strengthen the spine, increase its mobility, develop muscle. In addition, avoid hypothermia and drafts, excessive physical exertion, long stay in uncomfortable poses. Especially this applies to untrained people and the elderly.

Watch your posture when sitting at a table, do not lift weights, rationally and in a balanced way eat, do not exhaust yourself with starvation and mono-diets. And, of course, treat those diseases that somehow lead to intercostal neuralgia: atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular pathology, diabetes, etc. Be healthy!