What triggers occipital neuralgia?
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?
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.
What is the fastest way to cure occipital neuralgia?
Here’s how you can ease painful occipital neuralgia symptoms: Apply ice/heat therapy. Ice therapy may reduce local inflammation and relieve pain. Tuck an ice pack under the base of your skull as you lie down.
What does occipital neuralgia feel like?
Occipital 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 head. Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards.
What happens if occipital neuralgia goes untreated?
A common symptom of occipital neuralgia is a headache with pain at the back of the neck and up the head to the scalp. Symptoms are most commonly felt on one side of the head, and if compression is prolonged, nerve damage may result in numbness and possible paralysis.
Will occipital neuralgia ever go away?
No, occipital neuralgia cannot be cured in the traditional sense. But the pain can be managed, and attacks can be prevented. If you can figure out the underlying cause of your occipital neuralgia and treat it, you should be “cured” as long as the underlying cause does not recur.
Can you live a normal life with occipital neuralgia?
Although this is not a condition that is life-threatening, the pain can be extremely debilitating for patients, many of whom find it difficult to continue with their ‘normal’ lives because the pain is simply excruciating and they find it hard to concentrate, or even function effectively.
Does occipital neuralgia affect the eyes?
This pain is typically one-sided, although it can be on both sides if both occipital nerves have been affected. Additionally, the pain may radiate forward toward the eye, as it follows the path of the occipital nerve(s). Individuals may notice blurred vision as the pain radiates near or behind the eye.
How can I treat neuralgia at home?
Many people find relief from trigeminal neuralgia pain by applying heat to the affected area. You can do this locally by pressing a hot water bottle or other hot compress to the painful spot. Heat a beanbag or warm a wet washcloth in the microwave for this purpose. You can also try taking a hot shower or bath.
