{"product_id":"occipital-neuralgia-a-simple-guide-to-the-condition-diagnosis-treatment-and-related-conditions","title":"Occipital Neuralgia, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book describes Occipital Neuralgia, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases\u003cbr\u003e\r\nOccipital 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\u003cbr\u003e\r\nTypically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nSome patients will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nTheir scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe location of pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head\u003cbr\u003e\r\nCauses\u003cbr\u003e\r\nOccipital neuralgia happens when there is pressure or irritation to the occipital nerves due to:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003col\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn injury,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTight muscles that entrap the nerves,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eInflammation.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe pain is caused by:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIrritation or injury to the nerves which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCompression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis, or\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTumors or other types of lesions in the neck.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nOccipital neuralgia is also linked with:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLocalized inflammation or infection,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGout,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eDiabetes,\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBlood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eFrequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a downward and forward position.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nIn many cases, however, no cause can be found.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nSymptoms\u003cbr\u003e\r\nOccipital neuralgia can cause intense pain that feels like a sharp, jabbing, electric shock in the back of the head and neck.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nOther symptoms are:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAching, burning, and throbbing pain that typically starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePain on one or both sides of the head\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePain behind the eye\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eSensitivity to light\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTender scalp\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePain when the neck is moved\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe most frequent occipital neuralgia symptoms are:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eSudden, severe, and sharp head pain\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePain that happens most frequently behind the eye, at the base of the head, and on one side of the head\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBlurry vision\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eDizziness\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eVertigo\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eSlurred speech\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eNausea\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eVomiting\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTightness and pain in the neck\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eDental pain\u003cbr\u003e\r\nDiagnosis:\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe doctor can diagnose this disorder by:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eReviewing the notes and potential triggers noted in the history\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eConducting a thorough physical exam, including palpation of the occipital nerve area\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOrdering other diagnostic tests as needed, such as MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or blood tests\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePerforming a diagnostic occipital nerve block\u003cbr\u003e\r\nTreatments\u003cbr\u003e\r\nTreatment starts with diagnosis, continues with preventative efforts, and includes both interventional and complementary therapies to treat pain.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe first thing is to relieve the pain.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nHome treatment:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eApply gentle heat to the neck.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eRest in a quiet room.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMassage gently the tight and painful neck muscles.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTake over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen or ibuprofen.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nIf those do not help to relieve the pain, the doctor may prescribe medications, such as:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePrescription muscle relaxants\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAnti-seizure drugs, such as carbamazepine and gabapentin\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAntidepressants\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eNerve blocks and short term steroid injections\u003cbr\u003e\r\nA surgical operation is rarely advisable but it might be a choice if the pain does not get better with other treatments or recurs.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPossible surgery methods may be:\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMicro-vascular decompression.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe doctor may be able to relieve pain by moving the blood vessels compressing the nerve.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOccipital nerve stimulation.\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe doctor uses a device called a neuro-stimulator to stop pain messages to the occipital nerves.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTABLE OF CONTENT\u003cbr\u003e\r\nIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 1 Occipital Neuralgia\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 2 Causes\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 3 Symptoms\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 4 Diagnosis\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 5 Treatment\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 6 Prognosis\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 7 Trigeminal Neuralgia\u003cbr\u003e\r\nChapter 8 Migraine Headaches\u003cbr\u003e\r\nEpilogue\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","brand":"None","offers":[{"title":"Kobo eBook","offer_id":46508183945426,"sku":"4b3163af-24fe-3961-b39a-14185961f26d","price":4.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0655\/8980\/5233\/files\/image_09cf4a8d-4c78-4bb2-967a-7db46548bce1.jpg?v=1763106647","url":"https:\/\/www.indigo.ca\/products\/occipital-neuralgia-a-simple-guide-to-the-condition-diagnosis-treatment-and-related-conditions","provider":"Indigo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}