OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA

OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA

Occipital Neuralgia is a rare chronic headache disorder wherein the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord through the scalp, are injured or inflamed. It causes pain in the back of your head or the base of your skull.

Occipital Neuralgia is the outcome of muscle tightness or pinched nerves in the neck and head or neck injury. The following are some of the health conditions linked to it:

  • Back of the head trauma
  • Neck tension 
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Tumors in the neck
  • Cervical disc disease
  • Gout
  • Diabetes
  • Blood vessel inflammation
  • Infection

SYMPTOMS

Occipital Neuralgia causes extreme pain that feels like a stab and electric shock in the back of the head and neck. Additional symptoms include:

  • Throbbing, stinging, or burning pain that starts at the base of the head up to the scalp
  • Discomfort in either or both sides of the head
  • Tender scalp
  • Pain behind the eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Pain when moving the neck

DIAGNOSIS 

Diagnosing occipital Neuralgia is uncertain because there is no substantial test that will reveal a negative or positive diagnosis. 

However, the doctor will look for abnormalities through:

  • Physical examination
  • Neurological exam
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test
  • Computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)
  • Occipital nerve blocks

TREATMENT

The first thing to do is to mitigate your discomfort. Follow these steps:

  • Apply heat to the neck.
  • Take a rest in a comfortable room.
  • Massage the painful and tight neck muscles.

If those don’t work, the doctor will prescribe the following treatments:

  • Massage therapy or physical therapy
  • Oral Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications;

Muscle relaxants; and

Anticonvulsant medications.

  • Percutaneous nerve blocks. Injections are used to diagnose and treat occipital Neuralgia.
  • Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections. Use to lessen nerve inflammation.

In some cases, surgery is an alternative option if pain persists after medication. The types of surgery include:

  • Microvascular decompression

This treatment helps relieve pain by adjusting blood vessels that compress the nerve.

  • Occipital nerve stimulation

This surgical treatment helps block the pain messages to the brain using a device called a neurostimulator.

  • Spinal Cord Stimulation

This surgical treatment produces electrical impulses to block pain messages from the spinal cord to the brain.

Occipital Neuralgia is a critical condition. If you suffer from persistent and severe pain in the back of your head, tell your doctor immediately.

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