Inflammation of the occipital nerve: causes, signs, treatment

Inflammation of the occipital nerve is a disease that leads to pain and sensitivity to the affected area. This happens with various kinds of intoxications, acute and chronic viral and bacterial infections, injuries, beriberi, supercooling. Treatment is complex, aimed at eliminating inflammation, swelling. The article reveals the causes of inflammation of the occipital nerve, symptoms and treatment.

Symptoms of occipital neuritis

Inflammation of the occipital nerve leads to soreness in the area under the back of the head, but it can hurt the whole head or one of its halves. Often when the neuritis temperature rises over the affected area, there is stiffness( stiffness) of the muscles. It is also possible the appearance of nausea, dizziness.

When the occipital nerve is inflamed, the limitation of mobility is added to the symptoms - it is difficult to tilt the head forward and tilt backward due to soreness. Paralysis or spasm of the neck muscles involved in inflammation is also possible. Sometimes there are lacrimation, sweating, numbness of the area, which controls the nerve.

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Causes of inflammation

To inflammatory processes along the nerve lead such reasons:

1. Intoxication with neurotoxic poisons.
2. Osteochondrosis.
3. Injury and nerve transmission during sleep.
4. Diabetic neuropathy.
5. Lack of vitamins or minerals.
6. Hormonal diseases or pregnancy.
7. Circulatory disturbance.
8. Infections and chronic inflammatory processes in the body.
9. Taking some neurotoxic drugs( metronidazole, aminoglycosides).

Occipital neuritis occurs due to intoxication - external and internal. To external carry poisoning with lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and other poisons. Internal intoxication occurs with renal and hepatic insufficiency, diabetes( ketoacidosis), severe forms of tuberculosis.

Osteochondrosis leads to spasm of the neck muscles, which compress the occipital nerve, disrupt the trophic and lead to inflammation. As a result of which soreness develops in the nape, stiffness of movements. Injuries to the head, compression of the occipital region cause nerve damage and post-traumatic inflammation.

Neuropathies also develop due to a lack of B vitamins, in particular thiamine and cobalamin. With hypokalemia( potassium deficiency), the neck muscles do not relax properly, which leads to compression of the nerves, including the occipital.

Diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disease sometimes lead to a disruption of the innervation of the occipital region.

Infections leading to inflammatory processes along the nerve pathway may include viruses and bacteria. The herpes simplex virus lives in the nerve endings and can hit them. Epstein-Barr virus, rubella can also lead to neuritis. Sometimes acute respiratory infections are accompanied by pain in the neck, stiff neck, visual impairment, which indicates the inflammation of the occipital nerve.

Diagnosis

For symptoms of occipital neuritis, it is necessary to consult a neurologist. Surveys to be completed:

1. Electromyography.
2. Electroencephalography.
3. General analysis of blood and urine.
4. If necessary, a biochemical test for glucose, uric acid, creatinine, ketone bodies.

Differential diagnosis is performed with multiple sclerosis, neurinoma of the occipital nerve.

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Treatment of

In such a condition as inflammation of the occipital nerve, treatment consists of measures aimed at both the causes of its occurrence and the symptoms:

1. Anti-inflammatory therapy - the appointment of non-steroidal drugs for relief of pain and inflammation - Diclofenac-gel, Voltaren-gel. For oral administration, it is prescribed Ibuprofen, Ketorol.
2. Muscle relaxants. Such drugs as Midokalm and Sirdalud relieve muscular neck clamps, which leads to the restoration of microcirculation in the muscles and the release of nerves from the clamps.
3. Antihypoxic therapy - injections of Actovegin intramuscularly.
4. Vitaminotherapy - injections of vitamins of group B - Milgamma, intake of vitamin and mineral complexes inside.
5. Taking potassium and magnesium preparations( Asparcum, Panangin) to relax the muscles of the neck and head, to remove the pain syndrome.
6. Antidiarrheal therapy - the appointment of diuretics( Furosemide).
7. Physiotherapy: electro- and phonophoresis of lidase, aloe, vitamin B1, novocaine, lidocaine, UHF therapy, treatment with impulse currents.
8. Massage is manual, with the help of vibrokresla, massage cushion.
9. Therapeutic physical training, kinesitherapy in the recovery period.
10. Healing baths, mud treatment.
11. Needle reflexotherapy.

In case of infectious diseases that lead to neuritis, antiviral drugs( including interferons) and antibiotics are prescribed. Osteochondrosis is treated with the help of massage, preparations based on glucosamine and chondroitin, distraction of blood flow( vacuum massage, pepper plasters).

If there is traumatic damage to the occipital nerve, it is necessary to immobilize the neck and head, back. To stop the pain, Ketorol, Cathadolone, Promedol are used. Sometimes antidepressants and anticonvulsants( amitriptyline, carbamazepine) are used for the same purposes. To relieve spasms and vasodilation, Papaverin, Drotaverin is used.

If neuritis of the occipital nerve is caused by poisoning with lead, mercury, arsenic, antitoxic therapy is indicated. To remove heavy metals used tetacin-calcium, sodium thiosulfate.

With the development of muscle paralysis due to neuritis, it is necessary to use anticholinesterase drugs - neuromidine, neostigmine.

Traditional medicine with neuritis of the occipital nerve offers a tincture of red pepper, a compress made of clay with vinegar, horseradish leaves. Inside take infusion of raspberry leaves.

Neuritis of the occipital nerve in some cases passes independently. However, the use of anti-inflammatory therapy will significantly accelerate recovery.