Neck pain is the common pain that most people experience on a regular basis. It usually occurs as the result of holding your neck in the same position for a long time. However, some other factors also contribute to neck pain, such as stress, strain, injury, or sleeping in poor posture. The neck pain for the short term is called non-specific neck pain, which is very common and usually disappears after a few days. However, if the neck pain stays longer, affecting your everyday activities, then it’s necessary to see a doctor. This article will tell you about some of the common causes of neck pain.
What are the Symptoms of Neck Pain?
You will need to see the doctor immediately in case of notice such symptoms:
- Neck pain worsens by holding your head in the same position for too long.
- Headache
- No ability to move your head
- Muscle tightness and sprain
- Muscles spasms
- Stiffness
- Throat pain
- Tenderness
- Weakness in arms
- Difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- The pain is getting severe
- Neck pain persists for several days
- Is accompanied by numbness, weakness, and tingling.
In case of notice these symptoms, you should immediately get neck pain treatment. If these symptoms are the result of an accident, seek immediate care.
What are the Causes of Neck Pain?
The neck is the part of the body that supports the weight of the head. It is a flexible part that is likely to get an injury. Neck often gets into the condition that causes pain, and in most severe cases, it restricts the motion of the head. The most common possible causes of neck pain are:
Muscle Strains
Muscle strain is the reason for causing non-specific neck pain. Overuse of computers, smartphones and any other gadget for long hours often triggers muscle strain. Sometimes, small activities, such as reading a book while laying, can strain neck muscles.
Nerve Compression
The neck region of the spinal column, called the cervical spine, consists of seven bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are separated from one another by the discs, which allow the free movement of the spine. There is a space that runs the whole length of the back and is called the spinal canal. A bundle of nerves passes through this canal. Sometimes, a heavy exercise, such as lifting heavyweight, can press the discs on the nerves. This nerve compression leads to neck pain.
Disease or Injury
There are certain diseases, such as meningitis, cancer, or arthritis, that can cause neck pain. The accidents also put a strain on the soft tissues of the neck. It occurs when the head is jerked backwards and then forward while in an accident.
Worn Joints
Like other joints in your body, your neck joint wears down with the growing age. Ageing often results in osteoarthritis that causes the cartilage between your vertebrae to deteriorate. The bone spurs in your body then affect the motion of joints and cause severe pain.
Infections
The neck pain can come from common as well as rare infections. Such as the virus infection of the throat leads to neck pain and gland swelling. The rare infections that cause neck pain are tuberculosis of the neck, infection of the spine, and meningitis accompanied by neck stiffness.
How to Manage the Symptoms?
To treat the neck pain, simple treatment and bed rest for a day or two are enough. In case you are experiencing neck pain that has persisted for two days, you need to seek medical care. Your doctor will be able to recommend medications, therapy, and treatment according to your condition. Some painkillers, stretching, massages, and pain-numbing creams play a great role in reducing the symptoms of neck pain.
Conclusion
Neck pain is a common medical condition that can come from a number of diseases or disorders. The strain on the neck can affect the soft tissues of the neck and cause pain. There are several reasons for neck pain, such as osteoarthritis, herniated disc, whiplash, neck injury, or degenerative disc. The neck pain also comes from different infections, such as virus infection of the throat. The infection led to the swelling of the lymph node and caused neck pain. However, in case of experiencing pain for more than two days, seek medical care and pain treatment.
