Neck pain is a very common problem, and most people report having it at some point of time in their lives. Severe neck pains, though, can be a debilitating problem. It can be caused by a large number of factors, so it is very important to get neck pain diagnosed correctly. The best way to do this is by consulting a doctor, especially an orthopedic doctor.
The normal symptom of neck pain, also known as cervicalgia, is a dull aching around the neck. This pain is sometimes worsened when the neck is moved. Other symptoms to watch out for are numbness, tenderness, tingling, a sharp, shooting pain, fullness of the neck, problems with swallowing, swishing sounds, pulsations, dizziness and lightheadedness, and swelling of the lymph nodes. One may also feel facial pain, headache, shoulder pain, numbness of the arm and tingling. This may happen because of nerves in the neck getting pinched. It may also be accompanied by upper back or lower back pain, which happens in the case of ankylosing spondylitis.
There are many causes of neck pain. It can happen because of a disorder or disease of any of the tissues in the neck. Neck strain, neck injuries like whiplash, degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc, or even a pinched nerve can cause neck pain. Common infections like influenza, viral infections, and throat infections that lead to swelling of the lymph node are some of the other causes. More serious problems like tuberculosis, bone infections of the spine and neck, osteomyelitis or septic discitis, and meningitis also manifest themselves as neck pain. Some conditions affect the neck directly, like fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica. Hence, if you have persistent neck pain, it is important to consult a doctor. Accidents, especially those involving sports or motor vehicles, often cause neck pain too.
Causes of neck pain and dizziness. Neck pain accompanied by dizziness can be caused by cervical vertigo, neck arthritis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, whiplash, or stress. For relieving neck pain, a doctor can recommend different treatments, including medicine, exercise or traction. Causes of neck pain and headaches. Sometimes, neck muscle pain causes headaches too. Headaches that come along with neck pain are often caused by injuries and may need special neck pain treatment, different from that of normal headaches. This sometimes happens because the brain cannot pinpoint the source of the pain in the top of the spinal cord. Causes of neck pain and stiffness. Neck pain and stiffness is often caused by stress factors, or by factors like bad posture or bad bedding. To treat this kind of pain, you need to decrease the amount of stress in your life. You need to get adequate exercise and nutrition, and you should not use pillows that are too soft or too hard. The kind of mattress you use also affects your neck. Sometimes, severe neck pain and stiffness or severe neck pain at night is caused by these factors. If you have severe neck pain after waking up, it is almost certainly caused by bad sleeping posture.
Causes of neck pain in children. Neck pain in children needs to be addressed quickly. It is often caused by bad posture, especially while watching television. Bad bedding can also cause it. In rare cases, it can be caused by meningitis or juvenile arthritis, so it is very important to get your child checked out immediately. Kids today are under a lot of stress, and this sometimes manifests itself as neck pain. Similarly, neck muscle pain during pregnancy would also need treatment, as it is caused by bad posture, postural changes, lack of exercise, stress, or injury. As you can see, there are many neck muscle pain causes. For relief from neck muscle pain, you should consult a doctor who may recommend specific neck pain exercises or yoga. It is a problem that can be easily solved if you give it the attention and care it needs early on.
answered by A S