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Suggest Treatment For Stiffness In The Neck
Posted on
Mon, 16 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 16 May 2016
Answered on
Fri, 24 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I have had neck stiffness for more than 3 days now and is getting progressively worse. No fever, no vomiting but blurred vision at times. Is this a neck strain, I do workout often, or something more serious like Meningitis?
Brief Answer:
Doesn't look like Meningitis. Consult expert.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern.
* Stiffness of neck can be due to various causes like-
- sport injuries/ any activity having repeated neck movements/ poor posture while working on computer, holding XXXXXXX phone between shoulder & neck while conversing-- excessive stress to the neck can cause sprain / muscle pain which causes neck pain.
- Second group of causes includes cervical spinal problems like degenerative disc diseases ( due to age/ continuous strain on neck )/ osteoarthritis of neck joints.--
- Thirdly yes.. it can be Meningitis.. But it is necessarily associated with bacterial infection producing pain & stiffness in neck/ fever/ nausea/vomiting. It is an emergency & needs immediate medical attention.AS you don't have such symptoms it doesn't seem to be Meningitis.
- lastly refractory error in eye sight can lead to neck stiffness to some extent.
* all these elements are associated with blurred vision
* In your case sprain / spinal problem seems to be the possibility. The pain in sprain/ neck stiffness usually goes within few days with rest/ muscle relaxant creams or pain killers.But your pain is increasing.. ( might be due to lack of rest & repeated work outs you are undertaking.) such aggravating pain without relief calls for an expert opinion.
* In this context I would advise for consultation by your family physician . A detailed physical examination & history would guide him about needful investigations to exclude conditions like meningitis, refractory error & confirm it to be either cervical spine problem or simple sprain.
He would the offer you medication for pain relief/ muscle relaxants - may refer you to spinal surgeon/ physician/ ophthalmologist as per need for their expert advise .
* Personal care-
- Rest. Avoid neck movements./ neck strain or work outs
- Hot pack helps to relieve the pain
-application of muscle relaxant cream
Most important being -get medical advise to find exact cause & specific treatment.
I hope the answer was both informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Doesn't look like Meningitis. Consult expert.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern.
* Stiffness of neck can be due to various causes like-
- sport injuries/ any activity having repeated neck movements/ poor posture while working on computer, holding XXXXXXX phone between shoulder & neck while conversing-- excessive stress to the neck can cause sprain / muscle pain which causes neck pain.
- Second group of causes includes cervical spinal problems like degenerative disc diseases ( due to age/ continuous strain on neck )/ osteoarthritis of neck joints.--
- Thirdly yes.. it can be Meningitis.. But it is necessarily associated with bacterial infection producing pain & stiffness in neck/ fever/ nausea/vomiting. It is an emergency & needs immediate medical attention.AS you don't have such symptoms it doesn't seem to be Meningitis.
- lastly refractory error in eye sight can lead to neck stiffness to some extent.
* all these elements are associated with blurred vision
* In your case sprain / spinal problem seems to be the possibility. The pain in sprain/ neck stiffness usually goes within few days with rest/ muscle relaxant creams or pain killers.But your pain is increasing.. ( might be due to lack of rest & repeated work outs you are undertaking.) such aggravating pain without relief calls for an expert opinion.
* In this context I would advise for consultation by your family physician . A detailed physical examination & history would guide him about needful investigations to exclude conditions like meningitis, refractory error & confirm it to be either cervical spine problem or simple sprain.
He would the offer you medication for pain relief/ muscle relaxants - may refer you to spinal surgeon/ physician/ ophthalmologist as per need for their expert advise .
* Personal care-
- Rest. Avoid neck movements./ neck strain or work outs
- Hot pack helps to relieve the pain
-application of muscle relaxant cream
Most important being -get medical advise to find exact cause & specific treatment.
I hope the answer was both informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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