Is occipital neuralgia for life?
Occipital neuralgia is not a life-threatening condition. Most people get good pain relief by resting and taking medication.
How bad can occipital neuralgia get?
The most severe part of the attacks is brief, with intense, sharp pain lasting only a few seconds to a few minutes. Migraine pain, which is also severe, lasts much longer than pain from occipital neuralgia. It’s estimated that occipital neuralgia affects about three out of every 100,000 people every year.
How do you calm occipital neuralgia?
Here’s how you can ease painful occipital neuralgia symptoms: Apply ice/heat therapy. Ice therapy may reduce local inflammation and relieve pain. Tuck an ice pack under the base of your skull as you lie down.
Can occipital neuralgia be cured permanently?
Treatment of occipital neuralgia aims to alleviate the pain; however, it is not a cure. Interventions can be surgical or non-surgical.
What are the long term effects of occipital neuralgia?
Patients may feel that the headache is akin to an electric shock and it can be chronic (very long lasting). In addition, patients often report other effects, such as severe scalp sensitivity, extreme light sensitivity and even pain directly at the back of the eyes.
Can you become paralyzed from occipital neuralgia?
A common symptom of occipital neuralgia is a headache with pain at the back of the neck and up the head to the scalp. Symptoms are most commonly felt on one side of the head, and if compression is prolonged, nerve damage may result in numbness and possible paralysis.
Can occipital neuralgia cause a stroke?
In some cases, occipital neuralgia symptoms may actually indicate a life-threatening stroke.
Can occipital neuralgia make you tired?
Sleep gives your body and brain a chance to rest and is key for recovery. Unfortunately, many people with occipital neuralgia struggle to fall asleep at night due to their pain. Symptoms like dental pain and scalp tenderness can make it feel impossible to find a comfortable position to sleep.
What is the best position to sleep with occipital neuralgia?
The best position for people with occipital neuralgia to sleep in is on their back with a pillow that provides neck support and prevents side-to-side movement. If you cannot sleep on your back, the next best position is on your side.