Occipital Neuralgia, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Occipital Neuralgia, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesOccipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, usually on one side of the headTypically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some patients will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes.
Their scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light. The location of pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the headCausesOccipital neuralgia happens when there is pressure or irritation to the occipital nerves due to:1. An injury, 2.
Tight muscles that entrap the nerves, 3. Inflammation. The pain is caused by:1. Irritation or injury to the nerves which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head, 2. Pinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles, 3. Compression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis, or4. Tumors or other types of lesions in the neck. Occipital neuralgia is also linked with:1. Localized inflammation or infection, 2.
Gout, 3. Diabetes, 4. Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and5. Frequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a downward and forward position. In many cases, however, no cause can be found. SymptomsOccipital neuralgia can cause intense pain that feels like a sharp, jabbing, electric shock in the back of the head and neck. Other symptoms are:1. Aching, burning, and throbbing pain that typically starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp2.
Pain on one or both sides of the head3. Pain behind the eye4. Sensitivity to light5. Tender scalp6. Pain when the neck is movedThe most frequent occipital neuralgia symptoms are:1. Sudden, severe, and sharp head pain2. Pain that happens most frequently behind the eye, at the base of the head, and on one side of the head3. Blurry vision4. Dizziness5. Vertigo6. Slurred speech7. Nausea8. Vomiting9. Tightness and pain in the neck10.
Dental painDiagnosis:The doctor can diagnose this disorder by:1. Reviewing the notes and potential triggers noted in the history2. Conducting a thorough physical exam, including palpation of the occipital nerve area3. Ordering other diagnostic tests as needed, such as MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or blood tests4. Performing a diagnostic occipital nerve blockTreatmentsTreatment starts with diagnosis, continues with preventative efforts, and includes both interventional and complementary therapies to treat pain.
The first thing is to relieve the pain. Home treatment:1. Apply gentle heat to the neck.2. Rest in a quiet room.3. Massage gently the tight and painful neck muscles.4. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen or ibuprofen. If those do not help to relieve the pain, the doctor may prescribe medications, such as:1. Prescription muscle relaxants2. Anti-seizure drugs, such as carbamazepine and gabapentin3.
Antidepressants4. Nerve blocks and short term steroid injectionsA surgical operation is rarely advisable but it might be a choice if the pain does not get better with other treatments or recurs. Possible surgery methods may be:1. Micro-vascular decompression. The doctor may be able to relieve pain by moving the blood vessels compressing the nerve.2. Occipital nerve stimulation. The doctor uses a device called a neuro-stimulator to stop pain messages to the occipital nerves.
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