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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Headaches and neck
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Headaches and neck
by 280zxkirk, May 01, 2007 12:00AM
I'm 36 years old.I have been having daily headaches for the last 5 months. I had a CT scan which came out normal. My doctor put me on Indomethacin to keep me from getting headaches because he thinks I have Hernia cranium. I just recently had a MRI of my cervical spine without contrast. The impression cameback: C5-6 minimal asymetric disc buldge which results in minimal right neural forminal stenosis. There is no significant central canal or left neural foraminal stenosis.What does that mean? My neurologist looked at the test and says he doesn't see a buldge and it looks normal.Could this cause daily headaches? I also had a sleep study which shows me to have borderline sleep apnea.I always wake up with a clogged nasal passages. So my doctor wants to send me to an ENT.Based on my test results so far what should my next move be?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-SH, May 20, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
There is a daily headache syndrome called hemi-crania continua (a one sided headache that persists with no relief), which often responds to indomethacin. The more common chronic daily headache is a band like headache around the whole head that is low in intensity, but comes and goes in intensity during the day. This chronic daily headache is annoying, but does not generally stop you from doing the things that need to get done. This type headache responds to medications such as elavil or tizanidine taken daily. I do not think the findings in your cervical spine are contributing to headaches. Sleep apnea can cause non-restorative sleep leaving people tired during the day, can lead to fatigue and daily headaches as well as more serious conditons such as high blood pressure. There are several options in dealing with sleep apnea. The most common in CPAP (continous postive airway pressure) and is delivered by a mask that is worn at night. There are also surgeries that can be done, but not everyone is a candidate and they are quite painful (performed by ENT). There is also a dental prothetic called the mandibular advancement device that can be used in patients with mild sleep apnea. Wieght loss is also effective for many patients with sleep apnea, but takes time and some kind of therapy is usually needed before that. I would recommend that you see a board-certified sleep doctor (found at sleep centers, most at major academic centers), which can give you the best advice and set up a therapeutic trial of CPAP for you. I also think that a CT scan is inadequate for neuroimaging and I would suggest an MRI of the brain with and without contrast.
I hope this has been helpful.
There is a daily headache syndrome called hemi-crania continua (a one sided headache that persists with no relief), which often responds to indomethacin. The more common chronic daily headache is a band like headache around the whole head that is low in intensity, but comes and goes in intensity during the day. This chronic daily headache is annoying, but does not generally stop you from doing the things that need to get done. This type headache responds to medications such as elavil or tizanidine taken daily. I do not think the findings in your cervical spine are contributing to headaches. Sleep apnea can cause non-restorative sleep leaving people tired during the day, can lead to fatigue and daily headaches as well as more serious conditons such as high blood pressure. There are several options in dealing with sleep apnea. The most common in CPAP (continous postive airway pressure) and is delivered by a mask that is worn at night. There are also surgeries that can be done, but not everyone is a candidate and they are quite painful (performed by ENT). There is also a dental prothetic called the mandibular advancement device that can be used in patients with mild sleep apnea. Wieght loss is also effective for many patients with sleep apnea, but takes time and some kind of therapy is usually needed before that. I would recommend that you see a board-certified sleep doctor (found at sleep centers, most at major academic centers), which can give you the best advice and set up a therapeutic trial of CPAP for you. I also think that a CT scan is inadequate for neuroimaging and I would suggest an MRI of the brain with and without contrast.
I hope this has been helpful.
do you lean over a computer alot? i knw it sounds obvious but poor upper body posture causes huge strain on the neck musculature since it is the muscles that must support a 16 lb head if it is not balanced over the spine. Neck mscle spasm is a very common cuse of headaches.
A co-worker pointed out to me that I was leaning in too close to my computer monitor at work. So I went to my eye Dr. and had my eyes checked. Come to find out, I had been using too strong of reading glasses to read my monitor with. In order to focus properly I had to lean into my computer monitor. My Dr. recommended a lesser strength pair of reading glasses for computer work and my posture is much improved.