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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Do I Have Dull Headache, Tightness In Neck And Shoulder?

I ve had a dull headache for over a week now. I thought maybe my neck is tight, I m a cleaner , my neck and shoulder muscles suffer. Anyway this morning I bent to pick something up and have very little control over my left arm. I struggled to try to get the feeling back. I stood up and shook it out then tried again to pick something up and it happened again. My arm felt useless. After a couple of minutes it settled and I continued to get ready for work. Then about 2 hours later at work I bent down again and immediately saw bright stars around the outside edge of my left eye. It took a couple of minutes to settle.
Fri, 8 Jan 2016
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Neurologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM.


I can understand your concern. This sudden onset episodic weakness in left arm on bending neck along with dizziness (stars around left eye edge) could be due to

: cervical spondylosis - It is cervical spine intervertebral disc bulge or protrusion. It leads to nerve compression and symptoms of pain, weakness in upper limb, sensory problems. In your case, it is more likely as you are a cleaner and you have a tendency to keep you neck in flexed position, lift weight, physical stress. Other symptoms could be like pain starting from neck radiating to shoulder, arm and forearm, tingling sensations in hands, vertigo, aggravation of symptoms on coughing/sneezing.

If you are having such symptoms, consult neurologist. He might advise you MRI cervical spine to find disc and spinal cord/nerve status after neurological examination. Meanwhile at home, you can
: avoid neck flexion
: use soft cervical collar while doing work or travelling
: do neck exercises after consulting physiotherapist
: take painkiller like Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription
: avoid weight lifting more than 5 kilogram

: Another possibility could be of transient ischemic attacks - It is a disease of carotid artery which supplies major part of brain. Narrowing of it can cause poor blood supply to brain and symptoms of vertigo/sudden episodic weakness/visual blurring on straining. It usually presents as sudden fall, sudden episodic blindness and recovery, sudden weakness in one side of body. This is more common in old age like more than 60 years, diabetics, obese or fat people.

If you are having such symptoms, you should consult neurovascular consultant. He might advise doppler of neck, carotid angiography to find out narrowing. Further treatment will be decided after it. Sometimes only medications are given if stenosis/narrowing is less than 60%. Meanwhile at home
: avoid physical and mental stress
: decrease fat intake
: If obese, try to lose weight
: Tight sugar control by restricting sugar diet

Hope it will help you. Take care. Thanks.
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Why Do I Have Dull Headache, Tightness In Neck And Shoulder?

Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM. I can understand your concern. This sudden onset episodic weakness in left arm on bending neck along with dizziness (stars around left eye edge) could be due to : cervical spondylosis - It is cervical spine intervertebral disc bulge or protrusion. It leads to nerve compression and symptoms of pain, weakness in upper limb, sensory problems. In your case, it is more likely as you are a cleaner and you have a tendency to keep you neck in flexed position, lift weight, physical stress. Other symptoms could be like pain starting from neck radiating to shoulder, arm and forearm, tingling sensations in hands, vertigo, aggravation of symptoms on coughing/sneezing. If you are having such symptoms, consult neurologist. He might advise you MRI cervical spine to find disc and spinal cord/nerve status after neurological examination. Meanwhile at home, you can : avoid neck flexion : use soft cervical collar while doing work or travelling : do neck exercises after consulting physiotherapist : take painkiller like Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription : avoid weight lifting more than 5 kilogram : Another possibility could be of transient ischemic attacks - It is a disease of carotid artery which supplies major part of brain. Narrowing of it can cause poor blood supply to brain and symptoms of vertigo/sudden episodic weakness/visual blurring on straining. It usually presents as sudden fall, sudden episodic blindness and recovery, sudden weakness in one side of body. This is more common in old age like more than 60 years, diabetics, obese or fat people. If you are having such symptoms, you should consult neurovascular consultant. He might advise doppler of neck, carotid angiography to find out narrowing. Further treatment will be decided after it. Sometimes only medications are given if stenosis/narrowing is less than 60%. Meanwhile at home : avoid physical and mental stress : decrease fat intake : If obese, try to lose weight : Tight sugar control by restricting sugar diet Hope it will help you. Take care. Thanks.