Occipital neuralgicis is an uncommon type of repetitive headaches disorder. It usually occurs when pain originates in the middle ear and travels down to the brain. The central neural systems are in the upper portion of the neck and the ear area.
Symptoms usually occur during the middle part of the day and last from thirty minutes to a couple of hours. They can vary in severity, but some sufferers experience complete or partial loss of hearing. These symptoms typically worsen over time, especially when it is hot outside. Sufferers should not ignore them because they can be dangerous and even cause seizures.
The causes of these headaches are not fully understood. Most people think that headaches are caused by inflammation of the brain or possible damage to the central nervous system. Sometimes a head injury is also thought to be the cause.
In cases where there is no head injury, most often a severe or mild headache is caused by poor circulation. When this happens, pressure in the ears and head causes pain. In severe cases, the condition can lead to permanent deafness.
In milder cases, the pain is usually caused by muscle spasms in the neck. In more severe cases, this can lead to problems with the central nervous system. When the neck muscles tighten, pain can develop in the forehead and jaw area. The head and neck can also be very sore due to the accumulation of scar tissue.
There are many triggers that can cause these headaches. It could be a head injury, loud noise, or even stress. They can also be associated with certain medications, infections, or hypersensitivity to light and sound.
If you find that you have severe
headache at least once a week and you suspect it may be caused by the occipital region, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. The sooner the doctor knows the cause, the faster the pain relief process will be.
There is no treatment to prevent or treat occipitalis. Treatment involves relieving the pain, avoiding triggers and ensuring the circulatory system remains healthy. A patient may also want to take pain medication. However, it is important to remember that the treatment should not be used in place of a cure.
Relieving the pain can include using Tylenol and aspirin. You may also be prescribed pain relievers.
If you have a severe headache, it is a good idea to visit your doctor. Your doctor may perform an x-ray or a CT scan in order to rule out an underlying cause of your headache.
Severe headaches can also be treated with medications that are injected into the scalp. This involves corticosteroids. This is a short-term approach and is not a long-term solution.
Headaches can also be relieved through acupuncture, massage and other methods such as yoga. If you have a severe headache and you suspect it may be caused by occipital, you may need to find alternative treatments for the pain.
Milder forms of headaches can be treated by using ice or cold compress on the affected areas. and/or rest. There are medications available that can help reduce pain and reduce inflammation in the ears and head.
However, if the pain is very persistent and is not going away on its own, you may need to seek a more permanent and temporary solution to relieve the pain. A specialist should be consulted in this situation.
Sometimes a temporary measure of relief from pain does work and you do not require the consultation with your specialist. However, if your headache persists, you should consult your specialist to avoid further complications.
It is important that you maintain regular checkups with a dentist and to make sure that you teeth are kept clean and to make sure that there are no cavities. In some cases, if your gums are affected by pain, you may need to see a dentist to get them checked out as well.
