How long does an intercostal neuralgia attack last?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Under normal circumstances, an episode of intercostal neuralgia usually requires about a week to improve. During this period, actively cooperating with treatment can lead to a quick recovery. Treatment typically involves orally administered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and nerve-nourishing drugs, and it is necessary to reduce physical activity and minimize local irritation. It is crucial not to be exposed to the cold; local heat application is recommended. Commonly, a salt bag or toasted bran is used for heat application, which is quite sufficient. Applying heat twice a day, each time for more than half an hour, can enhance the effects significantly. Moreover, combining this with some physiotherapy methods, such as acupuncture, infrared therapy, and cupping, can yield very good results.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How is neuralgia treated?

Neuralgia can cause severe pain and significantly impact a patient's life. Treatment for neuralgia primarily focuses on the following aspects: First, treatment should be based on the cause of the pain. For instance, if the patient suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, antiepileptic drugs may be prescribed. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. If the neuralgia is caused by a viral infection, active antiviral treatment is required. If tumor cells invade and cause the neuralgia, tumor treatment should be administered. The second type of treatment involves symptomatic management. This mainly includes medications to relieve neuralgia, commonly comprising tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs, which can be effective in alleviating the pain and should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to relieve neuralgia

Firstly, symptomatic treatment can be administered to patients. Medications for treating neuralgia mainly include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors may also be effective. These medications should be taken under the advice of a doctor when necessary to help alleviate pain. Secondly, localized block treatment can also achieve certain clinical effects. Thirdly, it is crucial to identify the cause of the neuralgia and treat it accordingly. For example, if a patient’s neuralgia is caused by optic neuromyelitis, corticosteroids should be used; if it is due to herpes zoster virus infection, antiviral medications are required.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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How to relieve neuralgia

Neuropathic pain can be relieved through treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Medications used primarily include antiepileptic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin, sodium diclofenac, ibuprofen, and celecoxib. Physical therapy mainly involves localized heat application, massage, manipulation, and acupuncture. Surgical treatment is mainly suitable for patients who do not respond well to medication and physical therapy. Currently, the surgical approach mainly involves minimally invasive surgery to relieve nerve compression, thereby alleviating the symptoms of neuropathic pain. Beyond symptomatic treatment, it is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of the neuropathic pain, such as tumors, trauma, diabetes, etc. These causes can lead to neuropathic symptoms, so it is crucial to actively control these underlying diseases to potentially relieve neuropathic pain at its root. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Symptoms of tooth nerve pain

Symptoms of tooth nerve pain include pain triggered by cold, hot, sour, sweet stimuli, spontaneous pain, secondary pain, and nighttime pain, as well as unlocalized pain. These are also the main symptoms of pulpitis. Among them, pain triggered by cold, hot, sour, and sweet stimuli is more obvious. Sometimes the pain may intensify with temperature changes, such as cold and hot stimuli. If the pulpitis reaches the acute suppurative stage, there may also be pain that worsens with heat and is relieved by cold. It is common to see patients coming to the clinic holding cold water, indicating that cold water may provide temporary pain relief. In addition, severe nighttime pain might occur, where there is no pain during the day, but intense pain at night, sometimes making it difficult to sleep or waking from sleep due to the pain. Sometimes tooth nerve pain can also be unlocalized, potentially causing pain in the temporal area or affecting both upper and lower jaw teeth.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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How to treat occipital neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia is caused by cervical compression of the greater occipital nerve, leading to neuropathic pain. Thus, treatment of occipital neuralgia may involve oral pain relief medications to temporarily alleviate symptoms. Additionally, some nerve-nourishing medications can be used in treatment. Fundamental treatment involves addressing cervical spondylosis, which can include cervical physiotherapy and the use of medications that improve blood circulation and remove blood stasis to treat cervical spondylosis. It is also important to take care of the cervical spine by not sitting for too long; if sitting for extended periods, one should get up and move to stretch the muscles and bones. Performing the "little bird flying" exercise, where the head is leaned back and both arms are extended backwards, can effectively relieve cervical spondylosis and the pain caused by cervical compression of the greater occipital nerve. Additionally, the pillow should not be too high when sleeping at night.