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DISEASE AWARENESS PAGE FOR R3 STEM CELL – NECK PAIN
Neck pain is also known as cervicalgia, and it is pain localised around the neck region. Even though the pain is felt at the neck, it can be caused by several conditions in other parts of the body, including spinal problems. Neck pain can be caused by tightness of the muscles around the neck and upper back. Some muscles, like the trapezium, extend from the back and shoulder to the upper neck, and tension in it’s fibers can lead to neck pain.
It may also arise due to nerve related uses. In this case, the nerves involved arise from the cervical part of the spinal cord and pass through the foramina in the cervical vertebrae (the bones of the spine). When neck pain is caused by these nerves, there is usually a pinched nerve, either due to the compartmental syndrome, muscle tightness, spinal arthritis, or a series of other conditions.
The neck is mainly composed of muscles. These muscles are attached to the bones of the back, the scapula (shoulder bone), the clavicle (collar bone), as well as the skull. Besides, muscles, there are also blood vessels that travel through the neck. They are protected by the muscles, and transport blood to and from the structures in the head, including the brain.
Pain affecting the muscles in the neck is usually very uncomfortable for several reasons. Besides the obvious discomfort associated with muscular pain, there is also the inconvenience associated with not being able to move the neck.
Even though neck pain is localised to the neck, there is a multitude of types, and these types indicate the causes. Neck pain can be classified based on the source of the pain.
This is usually a result of stress or strain on the muscles of the neck. The origin can range from using a bad pillow or sleeping in a poor posture. In this case, the individual usually wakes up feeling severe pain in the neck, and the pain is aggravated when they move in a certain direction. The pain may also originate from the muscles of the shoulder.
Another factor that leads to neck pain of muscular origin is stress (like lifting a backpack that’s heavier than what you’re used to).
Muscular neck pain usually resolves on its own over time, but analgesics and rest can speed up the recovery.
Pain arising from the bones refers to disease conditions that affect the cervical vertebrae. These include several spinal conditions like arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and fractures. The pain could originate specifically from the bones, or the compression of the nerves. For example, in arthritis, the bones impinge on the nerves, and that causes pain.
Nerves are the communication system of the body, and they are responsible for carrying sensory and motor signals to the brain for interpretation and action. Any damage or injury to these communicating structures will lead to pain. The causes of neck pain of nerve origin are numerous, and they can include conditions that affect the nerves themselves like multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The neck pain could also be due to indirect causes like nerve compression. Examples include the conditions mentioned under “pain arising from the bones”. Other conditions that can cause nerve compression include disc hernias and spinal stenosis.
If the neck pain is due to compression, relieving the compression usually relieves the pain. In situations where the compression cannot be relieved, or where the damage is irreversible, the focus is always on managing the resulting pain.
This refers to conditions like migraines. Migraines are headache disorders that often reflect on just one side of the head. In some migraines, the pain spreads from the head to the neck, and that can be interpreted as neck pain. However, in neck pain that’s secondary to migraines, the neck pain isn’t the most severe symptom—it’s usually the headaches. As a result, treating the migraines usually relieves the neck pain.
Pain arising from other parts of the body is known as referred pain. This is often caused by injury to some deep organs like the heart and lungs. The pain is usually reflected in other areas of the body like the shoulders as well. Referred pain is difficult to diagnose because examination of the area doesn’t provide any useful information. In this form of neck pain, treatment of the underlying cause also resolves the pain.
Besides the factors listed above, other causes of neck pain include:
Neck pain is very prevalent among all populations and across all ethnic groups. Even in situations where there are no underlying conditions, neck pain can still be caused by factors like bad posture, stress and overuse. As a result, everyone experiences neck pain at some point in their lives.
As of 2010, neck pain was estimated to affect about 330 million people all over the world. That’s about 5 out of every 100 people. It is also more common in women than in men, as it is said to affect about 6 out of every 100 women, and only four out of every 100 men. However, neck pain is still not as prevalent as low back pain, which affects around 4 in every ten people.
Anyone who has any of the conditions listed above has a chance of developing neck pain. Because it is mostly muscular (or localised) and not systemic (widespread), no genetic factors are involved in determines who is at risk of developing neck pain. Some other of the risk factors besides the ones listed above are:
The major symptom of neck pain is pain localised in the neck region. The pain may also spread to the surrounding areas like the base of the skull and the shoulders. The symptoms are usually worsened by activity like turning and stretching the neck and are relieved by rest. Depending on the cause of neck pain, it may also have accompanying symptoms like
Neck pain is diagnosed symptomatically, meaning that the feelings of pain around the neck region are enough to identify the condition. History is usually taken to identify the cause of pain and determine the most suitable treatment available.
If more severe conditions are suspected to be the cause, other tests may be conducted to investigate further. These tests include MRIs, X-rays and blood tests.
As mentioned earlier, in most cases, neck pain is caused by postural and muscular factors, and as a result, it is resolved quite easily. About 50% of neck pain episodes are said to be resolved within one year, and only one in ten cases become chronic.
The treatment of neck pain involves the use of analgesics to reduce the pain and ease the discomfort. Physiotherapy in the treatment of neck pain involves several stretching exercises to relieve the tension in the area. A neck brace may also be recommended to temporarily limit movement around the neck, giving it time to rest and heal.
Other forms of treatment like surgery may be recommended if the underlying cause cannot be addressed by other means.
The drug called ocrelizumab is the primary drug in the United states used to treat multiple sclerosis and prevent its progression. Others include
Here are answers to many of the frequently asked questions we receive.
Arthritis can be classified into several types. Osteoarthritis is caused by the normal aging process of the body, or could be a result of injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis, the most common type of arthritis, happens due to autoimmune problems, wherein the body’s own immune system attacks healthy cells of the body. Infectious arthritis is caused by an infection to the joint. Patients with psoriasis may be affected by Psoriatic arthritis. Finally, excessive uric acid in the body can cause Gout, an arthritis that often starts at the toe.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis. This disease causes chronic inflammation of the joints and can lead to deterioration of a variety of systems in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the membrane around the joints known as the synovium, which causes inflammation that thickens the synovium and ultimately deforms the cartilage and bone of the joints.
How common is it and who is at risk?
An estimated one percent of the entire world population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. As the case with osteoarthritis, women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Other groups at risk are people middle-aged or older as well as those suffering from obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis risk is inheritable, which may be accelerated by smoking or unknown environmental exposures.
Signs of the disease include swollen, tender joints that may feel stiff, particularly in the mornings. Fever, fatigue, and loss of activity are also common symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to manifest initially in the smaller joints like those in the fingers and toes. Symptoms are exhibited in joints of other body parts as the disease spreads.
Diagnosis begins with a physical test checking for redness, warmth, and swelling as well as the state of reflexes in the affected joints. Multiple blood tests are conducted as people with rheumatoid arthritis usually have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels. Additionally, X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are conducted to track the spread of the disease.
While no cure exists as of now, research has revealed that the symptoms may be controlled by early application of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed depending on the case. Exercises to retain joint flexibility also provide some relief. If medications fail to slow down the disease, doctors may recommend surgery to repair or replace joints or swollen tendons.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis. This disease causes chronic inflammation of the joints and can lead to deterioration of a variety of systems in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the membrane around the joints known as the synovium, which causes inflammation that thickens the synovium and ultimately deforms the cartilage and bone of the joints.
How common is it and who is at risk?
An estimated one percent of the entire world population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. As the case with osteoarthritis, women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Other groups at risk are people middle-aged or older as well as those suffering from obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis risk is inheritable, which may be accelerated by smoking or unknown environmental exposures.
Signs of the disease include swollen, tender joints that may feel stiff, particularly in the mornings. Fever, fatigue, and loss of activity are also common symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to manifest initially in the smaller joints like those in the fingers and toes. Symptoms are exhibited in joints of other body parts as the disease spreads.
Diagnosis begins with a physical test checking for redness, warmth, and swelling as well as the state of reflexes in the affected joints. Multiple blood tests are conducted as people with rheumatoid arthritis usually have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and C-reactive protein levels. Additionally, X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are conducted to track the spread of the disease.
While no cure exists as of now, research has revealed that the symptoms may be controlled by early application of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed depending on the case. Exercises to retain joint flexibility also provide some relief. If medications fail to slow down the disease, doctors may recommend surgery to repair or replace joints or swollen tendons.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis within kids. It is characterized by persistent pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The disease occurs when the body’s own tissues are attacked by its cells. In some cases, it can create more serious complications such as growth problems and eye inflammation.
It is the most common form of arthritis diagnosed in children under the age of sixteen. Certain gene mutations can make the body more vulnerable to the external environment, which can result in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis occurring. Although reasons are unknown, girls are more susceptible to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis than boys.
Commonplace symptoms include joint pain or a limp caused by the pain, swelling of joints and stiffness of the joints that results in clumsiness by the child. In some cases, the disease can manifest as high fever and rashes.
Diagnosis for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is difficult as the pain and swelling in the joints could be attributed to a number of diseases. Quite a few blood tests are conducted to determine the status of markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, and quantity of anti-nuclear bodies, among others. However, many children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis show no abnormalities in these tests.
The treatment for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is geared towards making sure the child can maintain a regular level of physical activity. This can include different types of medication like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in more severe cases. Biologic agents may be recommended to help prevent joint damage. Physical therapy can also help the child maintain a full range of motion with or without joint supports or splints based on the situation. Surgery is the most extreme option used to improve the position of the affected joint.
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Deen, Hanifa; Bartleson, J. D. (2009). Spine disorders medical and surgical management. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-521-88941-4.
Amal Mattu; Deepi Goyal; Barrett, Jeffrey W.; Joshua Broder; DeAngelis, Michael; Peter Deblieux; Gus M. Garmel; Richard Harrigan; David Karras; Anita L’Italien; David Manthey (2007). Emergency medicine: avoiding the pitfalls and improving the outcomes. Malden, Mass: Blackwell Pub./BMJ Books. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-4051-4166-6.
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