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What Causes Tightness In Neck While Standing And Difficulty Breathing?
Question: Tightness in neck when standing up/bending over and difficulty taking breath. I am 24 years old. I do have a history of anxiety but this has been going on for a few days and seems worse today. I'm afraid I might pass out or have a stroke. It feels extremely tight in the top right of my neck when it happens. What is this? Do I need to seek medical help right away?
Brief Answer:
This is not suggestive of stroke.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
The hallmark of stroke is sudden/abrupt onset of symptoms.Your symptoms are not suggestive of stroke or impending stroke.Anxiety,Stress or cervical spine degeneration are the more common causes of such symptoms.
At your age and in the background history of anxiety and difficulty in breathing,anxiety appears to be the cause.Stress in the neck muscles may be accompanying,resulting in tightness.
I would like to know that along with neck tightness,do you have associated symptoms of pain,tingling or numbness in extremities?If yes,in upper extremities or lower extremities or both?
Please follow-up with details so that I can answer this well.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
This is not suggestive of stroke.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
The hallmark of stroke is sudden/abrupt onset of symptoms.Your symptoms are not suggestive of stroke or impending stroke.Anxiety,Stress or cervical spine degeneration are the more common causes of such symptoms.
At your age and in the background history of anxiety and difficulty in breathing,anxiety appears to be the cause.Stress in the neck muscles may be accompanying,resulting in tightness.
I would like to know that along with neck tightness,do you have associated symptoms of pain,tingling or numbness in extremities?If yes,in upper extremities or lower extremities or both?
Please follow-up with details so that I can answer this well.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Neurological examination/Cervical spine X-Ray
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing further details.
In the light of the detailed clinical history,I would say that it does not appear to be a vascular(arterial or venous) pathology.Still,possibilities of stressed neck muscles and cervical spine changes need to be ruled out.There is no clinical description in the clinical medicine practice of what you call 'feels like a vein tightening and it makes it hard to breathe for a few seconds'.A cervical spine X-ray should be done as the initial investigation.
However,physical examination should be done to say anything definite.I would suggest you to get yourself examined by a neurologist and plan the investigations accordingly.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Neurological examination/Cervical spine X-Ray
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing further details.
In the light of the detailed clinical history,I would say that it does not appear to be a vascular(arterial or venous) pathology.Still,possibilities of stressed neck muscles and cervical spine changes need to be ruled out.There is no clinical description in the clinical medicine practice of what you call 'feels like a vein tightening and it makes it hard to breathe for a few seconds'.A cervical spine X-ray should be done as the initial investigation.
However,physical examination should be done to say anything definite.I would suggest you to get yourself examined by a neurologist and plan the investigations accordingly.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I was prescribed xanax to use when needed. and since you first said anxiety could be the cause, I took a xanax to see if I noticed a difference. it has been a few hours now and I'm not feeling the tightening in my neck when I bend over. I think it will start again at some point because I've been feeling it for a few days on and off now. do you still think this is anxiety/stress related or should I still see a neurologist for an xray? if I need to see a neurologist I won't be able to for at least another month if not longer because I will be traveling. Is this something that can wait this long? thank you for your help!
Brief Answer:
It does not appear to be that serious.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Yes,it is likely due to stressed neck muscles or anxiety.It does not appear to be that serious.Do regular mental relaxation exercises like meditation/yoga and you should do fine.
You can wait to consult a neurologist or getting a X-Ray done.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have no further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
It does not appear to be that serious.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Yes,it is likely due to stressed neck muscles or anxiety.It does not appear to be that serious.Do regular mental relaxation exercises like meditation/yoga and you should do fine.
You can wait to consult a neurologist or getting a X-Ray done.
Hope that I have answered your query.If you have no further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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