My friend has headache in occipital region. What are the causes for this and what is probable diagnosis?
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Pain at backside of head (Occipital Headache) is generally due to problem in cervical spine (spine of neck). 1. Intervertebral disc prolapse in cervical spine. 2. Neck muscle strain. 3. Occipital Neuralgia: entrapment of nerves at back of head. Diagnosis can be made by detailed symptoms of patient and examination findings. MRI cervical spine may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Follow these tips to get relief; 1.Take simple analgesics like paracetamol or Ibuprofen round the clock for 4 to 5 days. 2. Apply warm water bag on neck if you find it soothing. 3. Do neck stretching exercises after pain is relieved. 4. Maintain good posture during work or reading to relieve neck strain. Avoid reading or computer work with neck bent. Keep text books at eye level. 5.Consult a pain specialist to get relief from severe pain with injection known as occipital nerve block at back of head. If problem is persistent you need to consult again.
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1.Take one tablet of crocin pain relief as and when required after food up to a maximum of 3 tablets daily, 2.Drink plenty of water 3.Take adequate rest 4.Have adequate sound sleep in the night for 7-8 hours If you have recurrent attack of headache1.It could be a tension headache due to anxiety/stress, depression inadequate sleep, Low BP/High BP, migraine, prolonged use of cell phone/computer, chronic anaemia, refractive error, chronic sinusitis, organic brain lesion 2.Avoid stress, physical and mental exertion, ,have adequate sound sleep for 7-8 hours daily in the night 3.Go for regular exercise 4.Practice yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercise to calm your mind, control your emotion and relieve stress 5.Check for refractive error, sinusitis Hemoglobin, BP 6. Avoid prolonged use of cell phone/computer 7.Consult Neurologist to rule out other causes of headache, if required take a CT scan /MRI of brain to exclude any brain lesion 8.If it is migraine you have to take migraine prophylactic drug after consulting neurologist.
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