How to treat occipital neuralgia?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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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.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 18sec home-news-image

How to diagnose intercostal neuralgia

The examination for intercostal neuralgia includes two parts. The first part is to confirm whether it is indeed intercostal neuralgia, often based on three reasons. The first is pain that follows a semicircular path along the ribs. Second, there are usually fixed tender points or percussion points, also called trigger points, where pressing will cause pain and lead to a type of pain that radiates along the path of the intercostal nerves. The third is that it is more commonly seen between the fifth and ninth ribs, often causing pain or triggering increased pain during activities like sneezing or deep breathing. With this, it is basically possible to diagnose intercostal neuralgia. However, identifying the cause of intercostal neuralgia is very complex. The usual causes of intercostal neuralgia include five aspects: The first is congenital anomalies, the second is trauma, the third is tumors, the fourth is inflammation, and the fifth is other causes. Therefore, a complete diagnosis of intercostal neuralgia should not only confirm the presence of intercostal neuralgia but also identify the underlying cause. Only by treating the cause of the intercostal neuralgia can there be a very good treatment outcome.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How long does an intercostal neuralgia attack last?

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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Symptoms of neuralgia

Neuralgia comes in many types and is generally quite severe. Patients may experience episodes of intense, short-lasting pain. The common symptoms include: Firstly, a classic type is trigeminal neuralgia, where patients primarily suffer from episodic severe pain in the areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve. This can feel like burning or electric shocks, and is often unbearable. Treatment usually requires antiepileptic drugs. The second major type of neuralgia commonly seen is postherpetic neuralgia, where pain is intense and follows the nerve distribution. Tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs can be used for treatment. Additionally, peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes can also lead to neuralgia. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What to do with tooth nerve pain?

Common symptoms of dental nerve pain include severe toothache. If teeth are not brushed and rinsed promptly after eating, food residues linger on the teeth, and bacterial fermentation produces acids, leading to symptoms of dental nerve inflammation. This is also due to the further progression of dental caries. In such cases, dental treatment should be sought as early as possible. If the decayed dental tissues are removed and the dental nerve is not exposed, direct filling treatment can be conducted. If infected dental tissues are removed and the dental nerve is exposed, the treatment depends on the development status of the tooth root. If the tooth root is not fully formed, it is advisable to preserve the living dental nerve as much as possible, and direct pulp capping or vital pulpotomy can be performed. If the root apex foramen has already formed, infected purulent dental tissues or the dental nerve can be removed for root canal treatment.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What is brachial plexus neuropathy?

Brachial plexus neuropathy occurs when certain pathological changes affect the brachial plexus, causing clinical symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness. The brachial plexus is composed of four nerves from cervical vertebrae 6 to 7, 8, and thoracic vertebra 1. The brachial plexus gives rise to the median nerve, ulnar nerve, and radial nerve, making it a central hub. If the brachial plexus is injured, for instance, through trauma such as stretching, tearing, tumor compression, or bone impingement, this can lead to clinical manifestations including pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and hands, a condition known as brachial plexus neuropathy. If such symptoms occur, it is crucial to promptly complete the necessary examinations to clarify the changes in the condition.