- 1. High blood pressure
- 2. Contracture or torticollis
- 3. Arthrosis
- 4. Meningitis
- 5. Aneurysm
- When to go to the doctor
Neck pain is usually not a sign of a serious problem, being more common in cases of excess tension, caused by situations such as emotional stress, high blood pressure or anxiety, for example. Usually, in these cases it is also possible to feel a stiffer neck and a pain on both sides of the neck.
However, there are some cases where neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem such as meningitis or aneurysm, but in these cases, it is usually accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting or fever. Check out the symptoms of meningitis.
1. High blood pressure
The situations that cause an exaggerated increase in blood pressure, such as stress, are the main causes of pain behind the head, which then radiates to the forehead, associated with a feeling of heaviness in the head and also leading to the appearance of other symptoms, such as blurred vision or blurry. Learn other symptoms of high blood pressure.
How to treat it: The best way to relieve this type of pain is to relax to try to lower blood pressure and take care of your diet, avoiding eating foods rich in salt, and drinking more fluids, such as water. In addition, regular physical activity, accompanied by a health professional, is also indicated to improve blood circulation, and consequently help to regulate pressure. If the pressure is uncontrolled or if pain in the neck appears more frequently, it is recommended to go to the cardiologist to assess the pressure changes and advise on the medications that can be used. Check out some guidelines on how to lower the pressure naturally:
2. Contracture or torticollis
Another very common cause of neck pain is the presence of muscle problems such as contractures or torticollis, in the neck or upper back. Generally, this type of pain arises after doing intense back or shoulder training, but it can also happen due to poor posture during the day or when sleeping. The pain may be in the back of the neck when turning the neck, for example.
How to treat: put hot compresses on the back and neck and rest. If the pain does not improve, you should go to the family doctor, as it may be necessary to start using anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride. Check out 4 steps to end neck pain or do some neck pain stretches.
3. Arthrosis
Because it causes degeneration in the joints, osteoarthritis can also be one of the causes of neck pain. This is because, in the neck region, there are several joints between the vertebrae of the spine. Thus, if there is any degeneration in these locations, the pain may radiate to the back of the neck. Usually, this type of pain worsens with the movement of the neck, worsening throughout the day and relieving with rest.
How to treat it: to relieve pain crises, it is necessary to consult an orthopedist to start the use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory or glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. However, to prevent the pain from reoccurring, activities that help to relieve the weight on the joints and strengthen the muscles of the back and neck, such as water aerobics, Pilates or yoga, should be done.
4. Meningitis
Meningitis is one of the most serious causes of neck pain and, although it is rare, it can occur at any age, especially if there is an outbreak of the disease. In these cases, the pain in the back of the neck or in the whole head is very severe and appears together with other symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting and excessive tiredness. The pain in the back of the neck worsens when trying to lower the head, touching the chin to the chest, a maneuver performed by the doctor and which indicates a sign of inflammation of the meninges.
How to treat it: meningitis needs to be identified and treated as soon as possible, so whenever there is a suspicion of the disease it is important to go to the emergency room to make the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, which may include the use of antibiotics. Find out more about how meningitis is treated.
5. Aneurysm
A cerebral aneurysm is an enlargement of a blood vessel in the brain that can eventually rupture with time and cause a hemorrhagic stroke. Usually, this type of change does not cause any symptoms before it breaks, but there are few cases where a constant headache on the back of the neck can occur. When it breaks, the pain is very strong and sudden and can continue to get worse over time.
How to treat it: if an aneurysm rupture is suspected, it is very important to immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance, calling 192. The rupture of the aneurysm causes the same type of sequelae as a stroke and, therefore, you life-threatening. See the first symptoms to identify an aneurysm.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to consult a doctor when neck pain:
- It is disabling; It takes more than 48 hours to pass; There is chest pain or palpitations; It is accompanied by vomiting or fever above 38ºC.
In these cases, a general practitioner should be consulted to order tests, indicate the possible cause of neck pain and initiate appropriate treatment. The doctor can also guide the patient to a cardiologist, in case of high blood pressure or an orthopedist when pain is caused by diseases in the spine or muscle problems, for example.
