Intercostal neuralgia isnerve painin the chest and upper trunk that radiates from the upper back.
The pain comes from theintercostal nervesalong the ribs, chest, or abdomen.
It can feel like a sharp or stabbing pain or like burning or aching pain.
Verywell / Julie Bang
It can also cause additional symptoms like numbness and tingling.
What Does Intercostal Neuralgia Feel Like?
The main symptom experienced by people with intercostal neuralgia is pain in the rib cage area.
The pain might cover the entire chest or radiate from the back towards the chest.
Sometimes the pain can be felt along the length of the ribs.
Intercostal neuralgia can cause severe and debilitating pain that makes it hard to breathe.
For example, chest pain may indicate a heart attack.
Sometimes, intercostal neuralgia has no known cause.
If your healthcare provider is unable to determine a cause, you may be diagnosed with idiopathic intercostal neuralgia.
The term idiopathic is used to describe medical conditions that have no identifiable or clear cause.
Risk Factors
There are a number of risk factors that increase the chance of developing intercostal neuralgia.
The physical exam is an important part of the intercostal neuralgia diagnosis.
OTC Medication
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication may help treat the pain associated with intercostal neuralgia.
Does Intercostal Neuralgia Go Away?
Depending on the cause, intercostal neuralgia may go away in a few weeks to months with treatment.
It is also possible for symptoms to resolve on their own without treatment.
Some people, however, will continue to experience chronic pain for the long term.
Prevention
Some healthy lifestyle habits may prevent intercostal neuralgia and reduce your risk of developing the condition.
It comes up whenever the intercostal nerves are inflamed, irritated, or compressed.
Intercostal neuralgia can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack.
Treatment for intercostal neuralgia may include pain medications, nerve blocks, anti-depressants, and more.
It can often be prevented with safety precautions and getting a shingles vaccine.
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