Pain in lower left rib cage

The dull pain in the lower left ribs is probably caused by a disease called intercostal neuralgia.

1. Common symptoms

Intercostal neuralgia is divided into secondary and primary types. Radicular intercostal neuralgia may be caused by diseases such as thoracic vertebra degeneration, thoracic vertebra tuberculosis, thoracic vertebra injury, thoracic vertebra dura mater, tumors, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.; axial intercostal neuralgia may be caused by lesions of the ribs, mediastinum or pleura.

Primary intercostal neuralgia is rare. When intercostal neuralgia occurs, pain can be seen radiating from back to front along the corresponding intercostal space in a semicircular shape; the pain is stabbing or burning. The pain gets worse when you cough, take a deep breath, or sneeze. The pain is usually in one nerve on one side. Physical examination revealed obvious tenderness beside the spinous processes of the thoracic vertebrae and in the intercostal spaces; patients with typical radicular intercostal neuralgia had a positive neck flexion test; the distribution area of ​​the affected nerves often showed signs of neurological impairment such as hyperesthesia or hypoesthesia.

2. Treatment Methods

Department of treatment: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Comprehensive Chinese Medicine

Treatment: Drug therapy

Rehabilitation

Treatment period: 2-4 weeks

Cure rate: 85%

Commonly used drugs:

Yuanhu Pain Relief Capsules and Xiaoyao Pills

Treatment costs: The charging standards vary from hospital to hospital. The city's top three hospitals charge about RMB 3,000 to 5,000.

Western medicine treatment of intercostal neuralgia

1. Etiological treatment

If there is a tumor, surgical resection can be performed; if it is infectious, anti-infection treatment can be used; if it is a viral infection such as herpes zoster, intravenous drip of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or intramuscular injection of α-interferon can be used.

2. Symptomatic treatment

Analgesics or sedatives can be used; B vitamins and vasodilators such as dibazole, niacin and scopolamine; thoracic paravertebral nerve root block, thoracic paravertebral sympathetic ganglion block and intercostal nerve block, etc.

3. Daily care

1. Adjust your daily life and workload, engage in regular activities and exercise, and avoid fatigue.

2. Keep your emotions stable and avoid getting excited and nervous.

4. Diet therapy and health care

The diet should be regular and reasonable, that is, mainly high-protein and high-vitamin foods. Choose plant or animal protein with high nutritional value, such as milk, eggs, fish, lean meat, various soy products, etc. Various fresh vegetables, fruits and melons are rich in vitamins and have high nutritional value.