Thoracic pain
DIFFERENT TREATMENTS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF PAIN
The causes are not always related to heart difficulties.
Learn the difference and what to do:
Thoracic pain refers to discomfort in the lower neck and upper abdomen. Thoracic pain is common in doctor’s offices due to its association with heart-related issues. The thing with the thoracic pain is that the causes are not always related to heart difficulties. Still, this discomfort can be a warning sign of a severe pathology or only due to some muscle pain.
To rule out serious illnesses, individuals should see a doctor to exclude potentially risky pathologies. Therefore, when different symptoms appear, such as fever or acute chest pain, you should consult a specialist immediately.
Causes for which thoracic pain may occur
Thoracic pain can stem from various conditions, including:
Angina pectoris or myocardial infarction
This pain, known as coronary type, involves a sensation of thoracic oppression that may radiate to the left arm, neck, and certain areas of the face. Some of the symptoms that occur are sweating, nausea that can turn into vomiting, and general malaise.
Esophagitis or hiatus hernia
The discomforts associated with these two pathologies are distinct, often characterized by a burning sensation in the retrosternal area.
Pneumonia, tumors, or pneumothorax
It essentially describes pre-pulmonary pain, focusing on discomfort in the side of the chest that worsens with breathing and often accompanies coughing.
Fractures or muscular strains
People feel this chest pain during movement, but whether it’s due to a fracture or muscle tear, resting usually leads to gradual pain reduction.
How do doctors diagnose thoracic pain?
Various tests and a thorough medical history are necessary to determine the cause of a patient’s thoracic pain and recommend appropriate treatment.
For each of the cases, some treatments allow the pain to decrease or disappear. However, doctors typically recommend these procedures for patients with chronic illnesses or during surgery, especially when they need to block specific areas to manage pain effectively.
Treatments for thoracic pain
Intercostal nerve block
Doctors utilize this treatment in surgeries and may also recommend it for chronic pain, always under the guidance of a specialist The procedure is based on administering medication to the upper back and chest, right between the ribs. The implanted substance is designed to block or numb the nerves that transmit pain signals to the brain, effectively relieving the patient of discomfort.
The procedure entails injecting a small amount of local anesthetic, cortisone, dehydrated alcohol, or other specialized medications between the ribs, blocking pain signals in the region and reducing local inflammation.
Paravertebral nerve blocks
While commonly used during surgery, many specialists also recommend this method as a post-operative treatment following thoracic surgery. Mainly because recovery from this procedure is usually quite painful, making the process difficult. For the nerve block procedure, doctors administer anesthesia via injection, occasionally using a catheter for continuous anesthesia. This procedure has become an excellent ally for surgeons and patients since the side effects are minor.
Erector spinae plane block
It is an excellent alternative to relieve acute and chronic pain in the erector muscle. Different diseases can cause this pain, but it is mainly associated with post-herpetic neurology and diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this procedure is to generate a blockage that doctors perform in the thoracic spine using anesthesia.
The solution is delivered to the area through openings in the fascia wall, serving as conduits for its administration. By blocking the pain signals, doctors can prevent the patient from experiencing pain.
To ensure the success of each procedure, expert guidance from an anesthesiologist is essential. They possess the expertise to administer the appropriate amount and substance tailored to each case.