2 Neck Pain Symptoms That Need Immediate Medical Attention
Neck pain is consider quite common to occur and not to be panic about, as you can treat it with simple measure such as rest, stretching, ice or heat therapy, and medicines that can be bought from convenience store. However, that are some serious situations of neck pain that need to seek for medical attention immediately. Here are two:
Stiff neck with a severe headache or fever
If your neck is stiff, and also have a fever or/and a painful headache at the same time, you could have Meningitis. Meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation in our important body parts such as brain and spinal cord. Early warning signs of Meningitis include a fever (high body temperature, chills, body aches), intense or painful headache, and lack of ability to move the neck forward. Also look out for other possible symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound or light.
It’s important to treat Meningitis early; delaying treatment could cause a serious risk for hearing loss, brain damage, and even death. Although experiencing a stiff neck, fever, and bad headache all together doesn’t always signal meningitis. But if you experience these symptoms, please visit a doctor as quickly as possible.
Neck pain with persistent arm, hand numbness or weakness
Have you experienced neck pain that extends to your shoulder, arms, or fingers with a pins-and-needles, weakening or numbing sensation? These symptoms could be cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy is a nerve root in your cervical spine is pressured, inflamed, or damaged. The issue most frequently occurs due to a nearby bone spur or herniated disc that is caused by degenerative changes in your neck. Less commonly, cervical radiculopathy indicates an infection or tumor.
Cervical radiculopathy pain usually is felt in just one side of the body. the pain may feel like a burning, shock-like, and your grip may feel weaker. Reflexes may also be affected. If you show cervical radiculopathy symptoms, make sure go see a doctor. The doctor will perform a physical examination, check your medical history, and mostly perform imaging studies or other advanced diagnostic tests.
