What Causes Popping Sound And Pain On Turning Head?

Posted on Wed, 15 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 Answered on

Sat, 8 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 34yr old woman and ever since I can remember I sometimes experience a popping sound that comes with heat and pain at what I think is my lambdoid suture. The sound & pain originate from either the top left or top right of my head. When the crack/pop happens, i have just turned my head, and the sound is very loud. I am paralyzed for a few seconds in pain but it goes away and I am fine. The other day I experienced the worse one of my life. It was so painful and lasted for what seemed like one minute. Please help...

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Blood pres/tinnitus/spondyloarthrosis/neurol.probl

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

1. The popping sound you felt that becomes louder when you turned your head and makes you paralyzed for a few seconds is due to:
- oscillations in blood pressure
- spondyloarthrosis (arthritis of the vertebral spine of neck region)
- "tinnitus"= problems with inner ear
- neurological issues

2. I advise to :
- monitor your blood pressure twice daily, and at the moment when you hear the "popping sound", record the results to pass them to your doctor (or can send to me)
- consult with neurologist
- avoid turning your head quickly from one side to another

Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana
If anything unclear, do write me back!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar