What Causes Vertigo And Neck Pain?

Posted on Sun, 23 Nov 2014

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

Sun, 23 Nov 2014 Answered on

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been diagnosed with vertigo,however I'm concerned as to what the cause is from! My concern is that when I tilt my head back far to look up after a few seconds "this varies from 2 to 10 seconds " I get a pain high in the neck/low in scull in the back of my head " such as if something is being pinched or closed off . I have a feeling like I'm going to leave my body , or pass out , after an attack I am weak & dizzy,most of the time it can last for 12 hrs . I am otherwise in very good health, I've had my heart checked by my cardiologist "including a echocardiogram " he said it's not my heart" I do have sinus issues & have had most of my life ,I'm 71 1/2 yrs .If there is a high probability that it is vertigo what can be done to stop it ? Thank you... YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Naveen (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cervical vertigo id s possibility...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query.

After going through the history, I'm of the opinion that you could be having cervical vertigo secondary to Rotational vertebral artery occlusion (RVAO).

On rotation of the neck, the cervical osteophytes impinge on the vertebral artery causing transient or permanent mechanical occlusion.

When RVAO occurs in the absence of sufficient collateral blood flow, the common presentation with vertigo may be explained by the selective vulnerability of the vestibular labyrinth to ischemic changes.

You would require X-ray of the cervical spine to confirm the diagnosis. Consult your doctor for a complete evaluation.

Hope I have answered your query. I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj