Understanding Neck Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

2023-12-03 20:06:18

According to the Mayo Clinic, neck pain is common. “Inadequate posture, due to bending over a computer or a workbench, overloads the neck muscles. Osteoarthritis is also a common cause of neck pain,” the entity states on its website.

However, in some rare cases, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem such as meningitis.

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If neck pain is accompanied by fever, severe headache, sensitivity to light, and neck stiffness, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately, as these symptoms could indicate a serious infection affecting the membranes surrounding the brain. and the spinal cord.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation can be caused by various reasons, with bacterial and viral infections being the most common causes of the disease. It can also be caused by fungi, parasites or other non-infectious diseases.

Given the potential severity of bacterial meningitis, anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe headache, and neck stiffness should seek medical attention immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

On the other hand, the persistence of neck pain, especially if it worsens over time, and the presence of other symptoms such as recurrent headaches, dizziness, balance problems, or changes in cognitive function could be signs of more serious medical conditions. such as cervical disorders or even vascular problems.

In these cases, traumatologist Lluis Aguilar i Fernández explains on the TopDoctors Spain channel that treatment begins with drugs or even surgical treatments. “At the center, we have a possibility that is the use of infiltrations both for misdiagnosis and for local anti-inflammatory treatment. These infiltrations are performed with local anesthesia and indicate which structure of the neck is the most affected,” he clarified.

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Finally, if neck pain presents with symptoms such as weakness, persistent numbness, changes in cognitive function, or severe systemic symptoms, it is essential that the person seek medical attention to rule out or address possible more serious underlying problems.