Set B of 55 answers
Neck and headaches
Five questions about neck pain and the headaches that sit close to it. Each answer is short, sourced and says when to see a clinician.
The neck holds the head up, turns it and protects the nerves that run to the arms, so a sore neck can feel alarming. Most neck pain is not serious, and what causes neck pain explains the common reasons. The page on when neck pain is serious lists the signs that sources say need prompt attention.
Headache is the other thread. Tension-type headache is the commonest kind, and headaches that start in the neck look at a less common type that doctors define by its link to a neck problem. After a sudden jolt, whiplash is a frequent cause of neck pain.
Arm pain, tingling or weakness points to a nerve, covered in what a pinched nerve in the neck is.
The 5 questions in this set
- B1What causes neck pain?Most neck pain comes from everyday strain, posture, wear in the neck joints, a pinched nerve or an injury such as whiplash. Health bodies say it is usually not a sign of serious disease, although a few causes need prompt care.
- B2When is neck pain serious?Neck pain is usually short-lived and not dangerous, but the NHS and Mayo Clinic name warning signs: severe pain after an injury, numbness, weakness, tingling, or pain that spreads or does not settle. These call for a clinician, and some call for emergency care.
- B3What is whiplash?Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful movement of the head, most often in a traffic accident. The NHS says it usually gets better within 2 to 3 months, though some people have symptoms for longer.
- B4Can a problem in the neck cause headaches?Yes, in some people. A cervicogenic headache is head pain that comes from a disorder of the neck, but it is hard to diagnose, it overlaps with migraine and tension-type headache, and the evidence on treatment is mixed.
- B5What is a tension-type headache?A tension-type headache is the most common headache type, usually a mild to moderate pressing pain on both sides of the head. Its exact causes are not known, and stress, poor sleep and neck or head strain are listed as common triggers.
The other sets
- A. Back pain basicsCauses, how long it lasts, whether you need a scan, and when it is an emergency.
- C. Discs and nervesSlipped discs, sciatica, narrowing of the spinal canal, and what scans show.
- D. Surgery in outlineWhen surgery is discussed, what the common operations are, and the risks.
- E. Recovery and daily lifeRecovery after surgery, exercise, physiotherapy, sleep and long-lasting pain.