What causes pain under right breast?

Pain in the lower right chest area is most likely caused by intercostal neuralgia. Intercostal neuralgia is also a disease that can have a great impact on the patient's chest health. Many reasons can lead to the occurrence of this disease, such as infection, trauma, systemic diseases, rheumatism, etc., which can all induce intercostal neuralgia. Below I will introduce to you some relevant knowledge about intercostal neuralgia!

1. Causes

1. Infection

Including secondary infections of the upper respiratory tract with bacteria and viruses, herpes zoster virus infection, etc.

2. Trauma

Thoracic spine injury, rib fracture, and persistent pain secondary to chest surgery.

3. Systemic diseases

Diabetes and toxic peripheral nerve damage lead to peripheral neuritis.

4. Rheumatism

Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc. cause damage to the intercostal nerves.

5. Others

It is caused by stimulation of the thoracic spinal nerves by intercostal soft tissue inflammation, tumors, abscesses and metastatic cancer.

2. Treatment Guidelines

Treatment should be directed at the cause of the intercostal neuralgia.

1. Drug treatment

Patients with severe pain can be treated with painkillers. If the pain is unbearable, specialist treatment is required, including nerve blocks and other symptomatic medications. If caused by herpes zoster, it should be treated with antiviral drugs.

2. Other treatments

For intractable intercostal neuralgia, treatment often requires nerve destruction, radiofrequency, ablation and other methods.

3. Prognosis

The prognosis is generally good if the cause is treated.

3. Nursing

1. Daily care

Patients may consider massage techniques: put the four fingers of the right hand together, press them close to the Dazhui point, and push and rub repeatedly with appropriate force for 0.5 to 1 minute, preferably until the local area becomes hot. Before treatment, the cause of the pain should be clarified to rule out contraindications to massage. Massage should be performed gently, which can generally relieve pain. Diseases in the thoracic spine should be treated promptly to avoid secondary intercostal neuralgia. Seated workers should pay attention to their posture and avoid fatigue.

2. Diet adjustment

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, etc.