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What Causes Occipital Headaches?
Should I be concerned about a reoccuring occipital headache (lower back of my head, top of my neck). Is it just muscle ache from hours on the laptop? (Doing end of year finances....) I sit on my bed against a wedge bolster with my feet on the bed too. I have had sudden sharp pain there that only lasts 1/2 a sec several times this past year - like while walking out into the garden... My history in a nutshell: I am in good health, 62, no diabetes, no heart or lung problems, low BP, pulse and cholesterol, no smoking (occasional 2nd hand smoke). I do have mild scoliosis in my lumbar and thoracic spine and moderate kyphosis (? - hunched over) but am still active and working on our house. I had an over active thyroid, but my numbers returned to normal over 5 years ago after replacing most of the metal fillings in my teeth with white ones (high electrical charge measured - could have been stimulating the thyroid). But my question is about my aching head. Thanks for your advice in advance. Ruth Foster I m on Apple Health - I ll ask my doctor at my appt next month... don t want to pay to be told to ask her!
Sat, 7 Jul 2018
Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
1. most headaches in general practice are ordinary tension headaches and need just an analgesic and maybe a tranquilizer, however in every patient of a headache, one must test the following signs, as routine:
. check Blood pressure and blood sugar: control them if present.
. check sinus tenderness, and look for any focus of infection in teeth, tonsils & ears.
. check tenderness on the nape of neck or pain on neck movements. [ for spondylitis].
. check with an Ophthalmologist [for eye sight]
. If there is any neurological sign as a weakness of cranial nerves or limbs, refer for Neurologist's opinion.
2. since you do have mild Kyphosis and scoliosis thus consult with an Orthopedic surgeon for:
. X-ray LS spine: AP & Lateral [for osteoarthritis, disc prolapse, osteoporosis]
3. Your case history requires evaluation by a medical professional, documentation of ongoing symptoms, and further necessary investigations [if required], like a CT or MRI.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
1. most headaches in general practice are ordinary tension headaches and need just an analgesic and maybe a tranquilizer, however in every patient of a headache, one must test the following signs, as routine:
. check Blood pressure and blood sugar: control them if present.
. check sinus tenderness, and look for any focus of infection in teeth, tonsils & ears.
. check tenderness on the nape of neck or pain on neck movements. [ for spondylitis].
. check with an Ophthalmologist [for eye sight]
. If there is any neurological sign as a weakness of cranial nerves or limbs, refer for Neurologist's opinion.
2. since you do have mild Kyphosis and scoliosis thus consult with an Orthopedic surgeon for:
. X-ray LS spine: AP & Lateral [for osteoarthritis, disc prolapse, osteoporosis]
3. Your case history requires evaluation by a medical professional, documentation of ongoing symptoms, and further necessary investigations [if required], like a CT or MRI.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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