Neck pain is a common symptom that every person has encountered at least once in his life. It may indicate a disease of the internal organs, stretching of muscles and ligaments, or it occurs against the background of hypothermia. If your neck hurts, you should seek medical attention. Only after examination and other diagnostic measures can the cause of the disease be determined and the appropriate treatment chosen.
Neck pain can occur for many different reasons. If your neck hurts, you should see a doctor
Why do adults have neck pain?
Pain in the neck area is divided into 2 types:
- cirvicalgia - a spasm occurs in one place, characterized by a gradual course and varying degrees of intensity;
- cervicago - manifested by sudden pain with sudden movements of the head or by prolonged standing in one position.
Doctors identify the following causes of neck pain:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervix. The disease develops with a sedentary lifestyle and an inadequate diet. Patients complain that the neck and head are injured from behind, there is tinnitus and dizziness, it becomes difficult to turn the neck, movements are accompanied by a crack.
- Herniated discs. With such a pathology, the neck on the left side hurts, the disc protrudes, provoking pain in the lower back. A hernia can be cured with vacuum therapy and acupressure.
- Creek. After a strong physical exertion, a person may feel acute neck pain. The affected area swells, it becomes impossible to turn the head, the risk of fading increases. To alleviate the condition, the patient is given an anesthetic, a hot or cold compress is applied, and the affected area is massaged.
- Cervical spondylosis. A dangerous disease that often leads to disability. It is often diagnosed in athletes with trauma or in the elderly. They complain that the neck and back of the head are constantly injured, and there is discomfort when turning the head. To relieve inflammation and pain requires taking medication, physiotherapy in combination with physiotherapy exercises to restore work capacity.
- Cervical myelopathy. It develops after narrowing of the spinal canal. the person feels weakness and pain in the neck. His speech slows down and coordination of movements is impaired. The cause of the pathology can be a traffic accident or a fall from a height. The patient is advised to undergo physiotherapy, wear a soft neck collar and perform strengthening exercises.
- Whiplash injury. Occurs after a fall, accident or collision. It is accompanied by a sharp pain in every area of the neck. With a whip injury, the ligaments are damaged, leading to loss of cervical lordosis and elongated head position. Treatment can last from 1 month to six months.
- Injury of the cervical spine. A person notices that his neck is constantly aching and hematomas appear. In this case, it is necessary to wear a special collar for 3 to 6 months.
- Infectious diseases. Skin infections provoke pain and acute inflammation. With rubella or sore throat, the lymph nodes in the neck dilate and hurt.
- Diseases of the internal organs. If the pain syndrome occurs in the right hypochondrium, and the neck hurts on the right side, then the cause may be cholecystitis. If the neck hurts and gives whiskey in the morning, then this is a symptom of hypertension. With angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, the neck and arms ache. Neck pain and pain in the front can signal a disorder of the esophagus and thyroid. Nerve damage is observed in case of poisoning with toxic substances. With severe back pain in the cervix, spikes in blood pressure are possible. If the neck on the right hurts and it is impossible to move, these are signs of meningitis. With laryngitis and pharyngitis, the pain can be localized to both the right and left.
Often, the neck hurts after sleep due to an uncomfortable body position or a tight pillow.
Frequent stress and psycho-emotional stress can cause discomfort in the neck and spine. Pain and tingling sensation in the neck and shoulders will require an injection or anesthetic medication.
If the neck hurts under the jaw, then this may signal a fracture, osteomyelitis of the jaw or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. With a broken lower jaw, the patient feels a strong pain syndrome, his soft facial tissues swell, become painful or impossible to chew. Osteomyelitis is associated with an infectious and inflammatory process, fever, headache and chills.
Causes of neck pain in a child
In a child, neck pain can occur against the background of such reasons:
- Muscle overload or sprains when playing sports.
- Pain after falling or car accident.
- An uncomfortable position while sleeping or sitting at the computer.
- Meningitis: is accompanied by increased irritability, headache, fever, photosensitivity, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications and death.
- Lyme disease. The pathology often spreads through tick bites, so it is necessary to check the neck for signs of long bites outside.
Pain medications are prescribed to treat neck pain and inflammation in children. Applying a warm pillow to your neck for 20 minutes will help reduce muscle spasm. Also, the baby should sleep with a towel around the neck or padded collar to prevent frequent head movement.
diagnostic
To determine why the neck muscles are injured, the doctor performs a palpation examination, after which additional examination methods are used:
- radiography;
- myelography;
- neurological examination of reflexes and sensitivity;
- computed tomography of the spine;
- MRI;
- nuclear magnetic resonance.
If you suspect osteomyelitis of the jaw, you will need to consult an otolaryngologist and dentist. In addition to X-rays, the patient must undergo a blood test to identify the source of the infection.
Drug treatment
When the neck hurts a lot with osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes complex therapies, including a special diet, a set of exercises, medications and preventive measures. To relieve pain and treat the disease, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antispasmodics.
- Antioxidant drugs: ascorbic acid, vitamins E and N.
- Means to improve blood circulation.
- Preparations for the prevention of degenerative changes in cartilage tissue.
Medicines can be used in different forms. In acute complications, nerve blockage will be required. There are several types of blockages: intraosseous, paravertebral, facet and epidural. All of them help relieve muscle tonic syndrome.
In combination with medication, it is helpful to perform physiotherapy procedures. They relieve pain and increase the therapeutic effect of medication. The most effective procedures are considered to be magnetotherapy, laser therapy and low frequency current treatment. Kinesiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises are prescribed to correct the behavior and strengthen the ligament apparatus. If you perform exercises regularly, then metabolic processes will be normalized, the location of vertebrae and discs will be restored, the load will be evenly distributed in the musculoskeletal system.
The principle of the diet for osteochondrosis is to add to the diet foods that contain large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants to improve metabolic processes. Food should be partial, up to 6 times a day.
It is recommended to include the following products in the menu:
- lean meat and fish;
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- milk and fermented milk products;
- cereals;
- arra;
- fara;
- mushrooms;
- olive oil.
It is advisable to cook, bake or bake dishes. You should also limit the consumption of flour products, spices, smoked meat, canned food, saturated meat soups, sweets and fruits with a high sugar content.
Important!Six needed to replace strong black tea with herbal decoctions, sweetened fruit drinks and compotes with dried fruits. Completely limit alcohol and carbonated beverages.
Persistent pain often makes the patient nervous, so the doctor prescribes sedatives and antidepressants. If the neck on the left hurts, you can alleviate the symptom with a warm warm pillow or by wrapping a scarf around the neck.
For cervical myelopathy, decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. If the nerve endings are compressed, then steroid hormone injections will be required. When an infectious agent is detected in the body, antibiotics are included in the course of treatment.
Note!In ischemic cervical myelopathy, it is effective to use neuroprotectants and drugs that have a vasodilating effect.
If a patient is diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, then he is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors. With severe pain, analgesics are used, with severe muscle spasms, muscle relaxants. Manual therapy and gentle massage are also indicated. With a sharp pain syndrome, blockages of the affected areas are recommended. In combination with medication, it is useful to perform physiotherapeutic procedures - electrophoresis with novocaine, ultrasound treatment and special complexes of physiotherapy exercises.
Complications
If the neck hurts due to osteochondrosis, then improper treatment or lack thereof can lead to serious complications:
- intervertebral hernia;
- kyphosis;
- extension of the intervertebral disc;
- radiculitis;
- salt deposits in the spine;
- spinal cord injury;
- circulatory disorders;
- amyotrophy;
- paralysis of the lower extremities.
Prophylaxis
To prevent neck pain, you need to follow a number of guidelines:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Quit smoking.
- Proper weight.
- Perform physiotherapy exercises every day.
- Take a contrast shower.
- Visit the pool.
- Do not throw weights.
- Monitor your attitude.
- Warm your neck during the cold season.
- If you are in a static position for a long time, take a break every 50 minutes and restore blood circulation with a warm-up.
- Choose an orthopedic mattress and pillow to sleep on.
- Wear comfortable shoes to reduce stress on the back.
- Walking barefoot on uneven surfaces during the summer to strengthen the leg muscles and relieve tension from the musculoskeletal system.
- Stick to the right food.
- Take massage courses.
- Learn relaxation techniques with added anxiety and emotionality.