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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Headache And Neck Pain
Posted on
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
Answered on
Wed, 22 Mar 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I have had a really bad headache off and on for 2 weeks, and my neck hurts, on my right side along with my ear, this morning I woke up really dizzy and off balance. Should I just wait it out or go to instacare?
Brief Answer:
Doesn't look serious but a medical visit still advised.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from that description I would say that the headache is unlikely to be related to a threatening issue like stroke, tumor etc. The pain in those cases is not on and off and there usually are manifestations like speech or vision issues, weakness or numbness of the limbs on one side. Most likely cause should be neck arthritis which may cause neck pain radiating in the neck, in some cases there may be some dizziness as well. Management would be in medication like Aleve and heat packs you mention, a soft cervical collar for a few weeks and as soon as possible to start physical therapy sessions to avoid recurrences.
Whether you should get visited, while as I said I do not think it to be threatening, I still think that it would be advisable to be seen. That is due to the persistence of the symptoms for 2 weeks with no improvement and also the balance issues. As I said balance issues may at times be seen in arthritis of upper neck levels, but they may also be seen in stroke or inner ear issues. So given the persistence I would advise a check up to make sure there aren’t other signs you might not have noticed. Whether to go to the ER or primary physician depends a little on waiting times, if you can see primary physician inside a couple of days it can wait, otherwise go to the ER.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Doesn't look serious but a medical visit still advised.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from that description I would say that the headache is unlikely to be related to a threatening issue like stroke, tumor etc. The pain in those cases is not on and off and there usually are manifestations like speech or vision issues, weakness or numbness of the limbs on one side. Most likely cause should be neck arthritis which may cause neck pain radiating in the neck, in some cases there may be some dizziness as well. Management would be in medication like Aleve and heat packs you mention, a soft cervical collar for a few weeks and as soon as possible to start physical therapy sessions to avoid recurrences.
Whether you should get visited, while as I said I do not think it to be threatening, I still think that it would be advisable to be seen. That is due to the persistence of the symptoms for 2 weeks with no improvement and also the balance issues. As I said balance issues may at times be seen in arthritis of upper neck levels, but they may also be seen in stroke or inner ear issues. So given the persistence I would advise a check up to make sure there aren’t other signs you might not have noticed. Whether to go to the ER or primary physician depends a little on waiting times, if you can see primary physician inside a couple of days it can wait, otherwise go to the ER.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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