{"id":7452,"date":"2019-06-28T06:49:09","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T06:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7452"},"modified":"2021-11-09T15:58:00","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T15:58:00","slug":"14-distressing-symptoms-of-occipital-neuralgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-distressing-symptoms-of-occipital-neuralgia\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Distressing Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This is a condition whereby the nerves that run from the very top of the spinal cord<\/a> through the scalp become inflamed and injured. The pain is severe and can be felt all the way from the back of the head, through the scalp, and down to the base of the skull.
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People have been known to confuse the pain with that of a particularly severe migraine or different types of headache, with the main reason being the striking similarities between the pain, but the treatment options are very different and so it is vitally important to get the correct diagnosis.
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Now it is only going to get you so far reading articles about what might be the root cause of your problem, and the best way to get the right help is to see a doctor or a medical professional at the earliest possible opportunity. Occipital neuralgia is something you don\u2019t want to be in the dark about and the following symptoms explain why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sharp electric shock type pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine getting into a fight with a Pikachu and you’re halfway there. The pain that comes with this distressing condition has been likened by many people to that of an electric shock. We’re not talking about the kind of electric shock that you might receive from a toy from the joke shop either.
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The electric shock pain that patients with this condition experience are brutal. One patient described the pain as feeling as if they were strapped into the electric chair but only by the head. They said that the pain didn’t seem to travel anywhere else but in and around the head, almost as if it was looking for an exit point only to be sent back around the skull <\/a>again.
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It sounds pretty horrendous and something that no one would want to be on the receiving end of. Electric shocks are no joke and neither are any pains that feel like electric shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Aching, burning, and throbbing pain that typically starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another type of pain that people commonly describe the feeling when they have this condition, is an aching and throbbing pain that tends to make its way up the head.
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The pain usually starts on the base of the head like a dull weight and then rises like a big balloon full of poison up towards the head. The throbbing sensation is likened to waves, coming and going every now and then but always there if you look for it. It can be very hard to lead a normal life and to get on with basic daily activities when this pain presents itself, but that’s just what people have to deal with.
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Over-the-counter medications <\/a>and home, remedies offer some relief to the pain, but it really is on another level to the types of headaches that most people are accustomed to. It is much more painful than that. It really hurts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Pain on one or both sides of the head<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As discussed in the previous two points, the pain that comes with this condition can be pretty difficult to deal with for the people affected by it. The types of pain range from mildly irritating to excruciatingly painful but the way that the pain <\/a>feels is not the only way in which it annoys the affected person.
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The distribution of the pain is something that varies from person to person and is also something that can drive a person to the point of distraction because of how random it can be. The pain can either affect someone unilaterally or bilaterally. Unilaterally refers to pain that occurs on one side of the head, whilst bilaterally refers to pain that affects a person on both sides of their head.
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Either way, the pain is a force to be reckoned with and whether the pain is felt on one side or both sides, it is a miserable experience for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Pain behind the eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sensation of feeling pain behind the eye can be very unusual and very annoying, coming on all of a sudden and lingering for a considerable period of time. This symptom of occipital neuralgia<\/a> can be incredibly distressing for sufferers as it can lead them to believe that they are suffering from a serious eye condition.
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There have even been reports of people turning up to the doctors or to the emergency room claiming to have a brain tumor, only to be informed upon examination that they are simply experiencing eye pain associated with occipital neuralgia.
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Pain felt behind one or both of the eyes can be a great cause for distress in some people as we place such an emotional value on being able to see and on the health of our eyes and eyesight. This symptom is a very distressing possibility for anyone suffering from or affected by occipital neuralgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. \tSensitivity to light<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another distressing <\/a>symptom that someone suffering from this condition might experience is an unusually high sensitivity to light. It doesn\u2019t matter whether the light source is natural or unnatural, any exposure to it whatsoever can cause pain and even tears to develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to people literally hiding from the light and staying indoors where they can manage their environments more carefully. Unless you are a vampire, any unusual sensitivity to light can have far-reaching effects on your life, none of which are particularly desirable. Some people living with the condition who have found that they develop an increased sensitivity to light have found that wearing sunglasses goes some way to bringing about a reduction in the effects of being sensitive to light sources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is just another one to add to the list of distressing symptoms that come in conjunction with occipital neuralgia. Another one to make misery feel even more miserable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. \tTender scalp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine a shampoo advert where the models and actors have tender scalps. They\u2019d be yelping and howling like a cat on a hot tin roof and it really wouldn\u2019t be good for business.
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The idea of a tender scalp <\/a>might not sound so bad on the face of it, but anyone who has ever experienced the development of even a tiny pimple on their scalp will confirm, any increased tenderness on the scalp can be incredibly painful. Because of the positioning of the occipital nerves, the scalp is especially vulnerable to becoming sore and tender as part of this condition. This can make even the most basic of daily routines a painful experience to endure.
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Wearing hats is pretty much an impossibility when it comes to experiencing a tender scalp caused by occipital neuralgia. There are no symptoms of the condition that anyone would claim to want or be happy to deal with, but this one is a sore subject indeed, literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. \tPain when you move your neck<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pain that comes from even the slightest neck movement can be incredibly distressing for someone suffering from occipital neuralgia. The pain can come on from the tiniest of movements such as turning to the left or when looking up.
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People who have experienced this symptom in the past will confirm that it hits you just at the most inconvenient of junctures. You could be getting your hair <\/a>fixed at the hair salon or maybe grabbing a bite to eat and craning your neck to look down at the menu,
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Occipital neuralgia really doesn’t care about how it might inconvenience you with a pain in the neck, it just turns up and does its grim business, leaving you to pick up the pieces and to try and find some relief. Pain in the neck is something that is often laughed off as a turn of phrase, but in this situation, it really is no laughing matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. \tDepression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most misunderstood symptom of this condition is the depression <\/a>that can affect people afflicted by it. The daily struggle of mentally facing an illness like this one can take its toll and leave a scar across the psychological landscape of a person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, it is becoming much more of a common occurrence for people to discuss their mental health, or lack of it, in an open forum. There is still a long way to go before mental health is given the same understanding and appreciation that physical health is, but we are certainly on the right road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling depressed is something that is perfectly normal from time to time, especially when a person is in considerable amounts of pain from other symptoms. It is paramount that people with depression seek the correct help and advice at the earliest possible opportunity so that the appropriate treatment can be sourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Pain in the Forehead and Eyebrows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People dealing with the effects of occipital neuralgia find that the pain in their eyes and the light sensitivity create tension in the forehead and eyebrows. The affected individual may find themselves squinting when watching TV to account for the glare coming from the screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected individual may start to experience tension building in the forehead and the jaw. The brow may develop deep furrow lines from the affected individual constantly raising their brows unintentionally. The patient may also notice an exacerbation in the signs of aging, like crow’s feet around the eyes and lines in the face due to the squinting effect caused by occipital neuralgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can treat this problem using Botox <\/a>injections. The doctor injects this potent neurotoxin under the skin, relaxing the muscles and relieving the tension. The effects of the injections last between three to six months, and you can get a top-up to prevent the pressure from returning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Tension in the Jaw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science isn’t certain, but they think the condition may contribute to the development of Bruxism. With Bruxism, affected individuals grind their teeth, often at night. The tension in the jaw causes them to experience the grinding effect unconsciously. Many of the patients are unaware of their behavior while asleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can help to relieve the tension in the jaw and forehead through the use of Botox, a neurological toxin that reduces the pressure in the muscles around the face and jaw. Bruxism is a terrible disorder, and the affected individual may end up grinding their teeth down to stubs. The affected individual may also experience problems with their enamel wearing away, exposing the dentine and the nerve in the tooth, leading to pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the Botox treatment seems to stop the problem, reducing the grinding, especially at night. With three or four consecutive treatments, three to six months apart, the patient may even overcome the bruxism <\/a>disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. What are the Common Causes of Occipital Neuralgia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most patients develop occipital neuralgia due to a pinching of the nerves at the base of the person’s neck. Most cases occur due to injury and the neck experiencing some form of trauma. Many people with occipital neuralgia cite whiplash from a car accident as a cause of the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, any trauma to the base of the cervical spine can cause trapping of the nerves. As a result, the patient experiences the onset of the disorder in the affected individual. Some individuals develop the condition due to stress or from a bad sitting posture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are several other causes of occipital neuralgia, and if you experienced any of the following, make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n