Occipital Neuralgia: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Occipital neuralgia is a condition of severe headache disorder, in which the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, become inflamed or injured.
Signs may include:
- Severe headache disorder
- Caused by inflammation or injury to occipital nerves
- Symptoms: pain in back of head, behind ear, or base of skull
- Important to consult doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment
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Get A Second OpinionCauses of Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia occurs
- Nerve irritation in the head
- Causes: Injury, muscle tightness, inflammation
- Source often hard for doctors to identify
It has been linked to a number of medical conditions, including::
- A head injury
- Tense neck muscles
- Osteoarthritis
- Occipital headache
- Neck tumors
- Cervical disc degeneration
- Infection
- Gout
- Diabetes
- Inflammation of blood vessels
Diagnosis of Occipital Neuralgia
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history as well as injuries in the past.
- Physical tests: Firm pressure applied to back of head to replicate pain
- Nerve block administered to numb nerve for relief assessment
- Blood tests or MRI scan for unusual cases
- Accurate diagnosis crucial for effective treatment
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Book an AppointmentTreatments for Occipital Neuralgia
The first thing you'll want to do is to decrease pain and discomfort. For that, you can try the below things.
- Apply heat compression to the back of your neck.
- Rest in a quiet place.
- Massage the muscles in your neck that are tight and painful.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen.
Muscle relaxants:
The doctor suggests some occipital neuralgia medication or Anti-seizure medications like carbamazepine and gabapentin.
**Note - Take this medicine only when it is prescribed by a doctor.
Antidepressants, nerve blocks and steroid injections:
- Nerve block for diagnosis & short-term relief
- Usually 2-3 shots over weeks
- Recurrence may require more injections
A surgery:
An operation is uncommon, but it may be an option if your pain does not improve or returns despite other treatments. Surgical procedures may include:
Decompression of the microvasculature:
Your doctor may be able to alleviate your pain by locating and adjusting blood vessels that are compressing your nerves.
Stimulation of the occipital nerve:
To deliver electrical pulses to your occipital nerves, your doctor employs a device known as a neurostimulator. They can aid in the blocking of pain messages to the brain.
Conclusion
Occipital neuralgia is not life-threatening and can be managed with rest and pain medication. If pain persists, consult your doctor to explore other potential causes.
