What Causes Intercostal Neuralgia?
Intercostal neuralgia is generally caused by cold exposure, excessive fatigue, herpes zoster, tuberculosis of the thoracic vertebrae, ankylosing spondylitis, and other factors. Targeted treatment should be given based on different causes.
1. Cold Exposure: If the intercostal area is exposed to cold, it can block local blood circulation, leading to a decrease in local immunity and subsequently causing intercostal neuralgia. This can be alleviated through hot compresses, which can promote blood circulation, enhance metabolism, and improve symptoms.
2. Overwork: Excessive fatigue can lead to weakened immune function, which is prone to causing local myofascitis and lesions in the thoracic vertebrae and ribs, thereby inducing intercostal neuralgia. Adequate rest should be taken to alleviate symptoms, and ultrasound therapy can also be used to improve symptoms.
3. Herpes Zoster: It is usually caused by infection with varicella-zoster virus, resulting in clustered blisters on the skin of the intercostal area, accompanied by pain and damage to the intercostal nerves, causing inflammatory changes. Medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, ribavirin granules, and acyclovir tablets can be used under the guidance of a doctor.
4. Tuberculosis of the Thoracic Vertebrae: It is caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the pathogen can invade the thoracic vertebrae, causing local inflammation and subsequently triggering intercostal neuralgia. Medications such as rifampicin capsules, ethambutol hydrochloride tablets, and isoniazid tablets can be used under the guidance of a doctor.
5. Ankylosing Spondylitis: It is generally caused by genetic and infectious factors, leading to chronic progressive inflammation of the spine. The disease can compress and stimulate the intercostal nerves, causing inflammatory reactions and pain in the intercostal area. In daily life, patients should take good self-protection measures, add clothes according to the weather conditions to avoid cold exposure, and prevent the condition from worsening.
