What causes headache in occipital area?
What causes headache in occipital area?
Occipital neuralgia is most commonly caused by pinched nerves in the root of a person’s neck. Sometimes this is caused by muscles that are too tight in a person’s neck. In some cases, it can be caused by a head or neck injury. Chronic neck tension is another common cause.
How do you get rid of occipital neuralgia headaches?
Treatments
- Apply heat to your neck.
- Rest in a quiet room.
- Massage tight and painful neck muscles.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen or ibuprofen.
Does occipital neuralgia cause pressure in head?
Occipital neuralgia is a type of nerve pain that can lead to headaches. It can occur when there is pressure or damage to the occipital nerves. These start in the neck and run up the sides of the head. In most cases, the pain will improve with home remedies or medication.
Can Botox help occipital neuralgia?
Botox® injections can be helpful in treating both types of headaches, depending on each patient’s specific condition, and are particularly helpful for occipital neuralgia.
Is occipital neuralgia a symptom of MS?
In patients with multiple sclerosis, clinical features in occipital neuralgia that were predictive of the presence of a C2-3 lesion were unilateral episodic symptoms, sensory loss, later onset of occipital neuralgia, and progressive multiple sclerosis phenotype.
What does an occipital headache feel like?
Occipital Neuralgia is a condition in which the occipital nerves, the nerves that run through the scalp, are injured or inflamed. This causes headaches that feel like severe piercing, throbbing or shock-like pain in the upper neck, back of the head or behind the ears.
What type of pillow is best for occipital neuralgia?
Healthline’s picks of the best pillows for neck pain
- EPABO Memory Foam Pillow.
- Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow.
- DOWNLITE Extra Soft Down Pillow.
- Nature’s Guest Cervical Support Pillow.
- Sleep Artisan Luxury Side Sleeper Pillow.
- COHOME Memory Foam Pillow.
- The Belly Sleeper Pillow.
- Avocado Green Pillow.
What does occipital neuralgia look like?
Symptoms of occipital neuralgia include continuous aching, burning and throbbing, with intermittent shocking or shooting pain that generally starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp on one or both sides of the head. Patients often have pain behind the eye of the affected side of the head.
How do you relieve pressure in the occipital nerve?
Apply gentle pressure from your fingertips at the base of your skull. This massage can help calm tight muscles and release tension. You can also place a rolled towel under your head and neck as you lie down on your back. The pressure from the towel can provide a gentle massage.
What happens if occipital neuralgia goes untreated?
Left untreated, complications of untreated occipital neuralgia can be serious or even life threatening. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you.
What causes pain in the occipital area of the head?
The cause of the pain is irritation or injury to the occipital nerves which travel up from where the spine connects with the neck and head. Any pressure on the occipital nerves can trigger a headache
Can you get a migraine with occipital neuralgia?
People can confuse it with a migraine or other types of headache, because the symptoms can be similar. But treatments for those conditions are very different, so it’s important to see your doctor to get the right diagnosis. Occipital neuralgia can cause intense pain that feels like a sharp, jabbing, electric shock in the back of the head and neck.
What should I do if I have an occipital headache?
If the cause is not related to any illness, doctors will most likely suggest treatments muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication to improve the symptoms. Dealing with occipital neuralgia can be very difficult for the patient and long-term care might be needed to keep the condition under check.
When to tell your doctor about occipital pain?
It is characterized by a sharp, shooting pain that can be triggered by things like turning your head or pushing on the affected area. Dr. Halker Singh says it’s important to tell your doctor if you’re experiencing neck or occipital pain.
