Pain under the ribs on both sides of the female

Pain under the ribs on both sides of the female

Dull pain below the ribs on both sides of a woman is an obvious manifestation of intercostal neuralgia, which is generally caused by reasons such as lumbar disc herniation, thickening of joint capsule and ligaments. Since intercostal neuralgia affects women's ribs and waist, once the disease is diagnosed, it needs to be treated in time. After all, if it affects the waist, it will have a great impact on the patient's daily work and life!

1. Introduction

Intercostal neuralgia is a subjective symptom of the patient. The intercostal nerves extend from the thoracic spinal cord to both sides through the intercostals to the anterior chest wall, innervating the muscles of the back and chest wall beside the corresponding thoracic vertebrae and the sensory branches running along the intercostals. Therefore, intercostal neuralgia is pain in a band-like area that extends from the chest and back along the intercostals diagonally forward and downward to the midline of the anterior wall of the chest and abdomen.

2. Causes

Degenerative protrusion of the thoracic intervertebral disc, thickening and ossification of the joint capsule and ligaments often lead to narrowing and deformation of the nerve channels, which can cause inflammation of the intercostal nerves and produce pain. Other lesions that may affect the intercostal nerves include thoracic tuberculosis, thoracic fracture or dislocation, spinal or spinal cord tumors, ankylosing spondylitis, and rib, mediastinal, and pleural lesions. The pain of herpes zoster intercostal neuralgia is often severe.

3. Clinical manifestations

Intercostal neuralgia refers to pain in one or several intercostal areas that radiates from the back along the intercostals to the anterior wall of the chest and abdomen, in a semi-circular distribution. It is usually unilateral, but can also affect both sides simultaneously. The pain is often made worse by coughing, taking deep breaths, or sneezing. Physical examination may reveal tenderness and percussion pain in the thoracic spinous processes, between the spinous processes or beside the vertebrae. A few patients may have tenderness along the intercostals and paresthesias in the areas innervated by the affected nerves. The pain is usually stabbing or burning, and radiates along the intercostal nerves. Local lesions may be seen in herpes zoster.

4. Diagnosis

To establish a diagnosis, we must first identify it as intercostal neuralgia based on the characteristic distribution of pain. Then, more importantly, we must think of and find out the cause of the intercostal neuralgia, especially considering important diseases that are easily overlooked, such as tuberculosis, tumors, osteoporotic compression fractures in the elderly, and early herpes zoster.

5. Treatment

Treatment should be directed at the cause of the intercostal neuralgia, so the treatment approach should be tailored to the cause established.

<<:  How to measure the pelvis

>>:  Pain under the ribs in the left upper abdomen of women

Recommend

Why do I bleed again after my period?

Many female friends worry about menstrual disorde...

Symptoms and treatment of insufficient Yang Qi in women

Qi refers to the energy possessed by the body. A ...

Is it necessary to have a caesarean section for the second child?

Is it necessary to have a caesarean section for t...

What are the causes of insomnia during menstruation?

Key reminder: It is an inevitable physiological p...

What blood value can rule out ectopic pregnancy? See the experts' answers

Ectopic pregnancy is difficult to be detected in ...

How long after 6 months of induced abortion can you have a baby

Miscarriage is a very sad thing for every family ...

What is the reason for brown discharge during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women become very sensitive and...

What happens when nipples turn dark during pregnancy?

The human body will undergo many changes during p...

How much weight do you gain during menstruation?

In daily life, many women have the habit of exerc...

The dangers of cesarean section in the afternoon

Women all hope that they can choose to give birth...

How to make a pregnancy test stick show pregnancy

Most of the pregnancy test sticks we buy are with...

Why do girls have neck pain?

In daily life, we encounter various troubles and ...