Rs Neurology

Neck pain is an extremely common condition that most of us have experienced at some point. While the causes are usually benign, like muscle strain from poor posture or overuse, sometimes neck pain can signal more serious medical issues. As a neurologist, I want to provide some helpful information to distinguish normal neck pain from more alarming symptoms that require medical care.

First, everyday neck pain typically comes on gradually, caused by things like sleeping in an awkward position or hunching over a computer all day. The pain ranges from stiff and achy to sharp and stabbing, and movement often makes it worse. This type of pain generally responds well to home remedies like heat packs, OTC pain medication, gentle stretches and massage.

However, some characteristics of neck pain warrant medical care. Seek emergency care if pain comes on suddenly and severely restricts neck mobility, especially after injury or trauma to the neck. Also be evaluated promptly if you experience:

• Weakness in muscles
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs or feet
• Pain spreading down the arms, buttocks, or legs
• Impaired balance
• Vision disturbances, such as blurriness or double vision
• Speech difficulties with slurring

If you are experiencing debilitating neck pain, you may be wondering what’s causing this disruption to your daily life. Here we explore three common medical conditions that can lead to neck pain:

Arterial Dissection

This occurs when the inner lining of an artery in the neck is torn. As the tear widens, blood accumulates and forms a “false lumen” or pouch. This can block blood flow or form clots that travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Symptoms may include neck pain along with headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, facial pain, and visual disturbances.

Herniated Disc

Discs act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. A herniated disc happens when the gel-like inner nucleus pushes through the outer layer of the disc. This can occur due to weakness or tears in the disc. Pain, numbness or weakness in the arms may result from the nerve irritation caused by the herniated disc material.

Cervical Radiculopathy

This involves compression, damage or inflammation of a cervical nerve root. These nerve roots exit your spinal cord in the neck area and travel to other parts of the body. Irritation of these nerves can cause pain, along with muscle weakness, numbness and tingling. Prompt diagnosis is key to determine the appropriate treatment plan.

If you’re struggling with debilitating neck pain, don’t delay. Consult a doctor to explore the underlying cause and discuss treatments to help restore function and quality of life. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you’ll find relief.