What causes occipital neuralgia?
What causes occipital neuralgia? Occipital neuralgia may occur spontaneously, or as the result of a pinched nerve root in the neck (from arthritis, for example), or because of prior injury or surgery to the scalp or skull. Sometimes “tight” muscles at the back of the head can entrap the nerves.
Can occipital neuralgia affect your teeth?
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this investigation we conclude that higher frequencies of pain referred to the teeth were observed in those individuals presenting with occipital neuralgia and migraine.
Does neuralgia cause headaches?
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.
Will occipital neuralgia go away on its own?
Does occipital neuralgia go away? Occipital neuralgia may go away with time if the cause of your occipital nerve inflammation is corrected.
How do I know if I have occipital neuralgia?
Symptoms of occipital neuralgia include continuous aching, burning and throbbing, with intermittent shocking or shooting pain that generally starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp on one or both sides of the head. Patients often have pain behind the eye of the affected side of the head.
How do people live with occipital neuralgia?
Using good posture day and night is one of the best ways to relieve neck pain and prevent further incidents of occipital neuralgia. If home treatments do not work, be sure to talk to your doctor. The doctor can offer the next level of treatment, like prescription muscle relaxants, steroid shots, or nerve blocks.
What foods to avoid if you have occipital neuralgia?
What not to Eat: Anything highly processed, overly greasy, or super sweet isn’t a good choice for you. Sweets, cakes and cookies, and soda: They’re not dense in nutrients, and they’re easy to overeat, which can lead to weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol (all related to inflammation).
What type of pillow is best for occipital neuralgia?
A cervical pillow supports your head and neck while you sleep. It helps keep your spine aligned, which can reduce pain. If you suffer from occipital neuralgia, using a cervical pillow may help to decrease the tension on the nerves in your neck.
Does occipital neuralgia affect the eyes?
Like migraine, occipital neuralgia symptoms also include those that affect balance and coordination. These include: Vision issues, such as blurry eyes.
Can occipital neuralgia 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.
Does occipital neuralgia ever go away?