It is not strange that neck pain or stiff muscle issue has become a common problem these days, and usually people get it due to the exertion they do every day at home or workplace. Most of the time, neck pain or muscle spasms are also caused by tension and anxiety, which a person feels for different reasons, either physical or psychological. Physicians suggest various remedies for neck pain, such as exercise for relieving stiff muscle pain. Generally, people don’t worry about it much until it gets worse in some cases. Some people often have neck pain for so long that they adjust to living with it, and it does not seem to be a problem to them. But of course, it can have long-term effects, which are not pleasant to hear about. Therefore, living with neck pain is not an easy thing, and people should try to get it cured at their earliest in order to live a better life. Most of the people get to hear the advice that they need to carry on with their routine activities, and that’s what they often do.
How to Alter Life Style with Neck Pain?
It becomes a way of their life to take pain killers every day and keep themselves as active as possible in order to bother themselves less about the existing condition. Many people suggest that walking is so far the best activity to relieve neck pain or back pain. It is also preferred by doctors and physicians and most of the people who experience it or who learn to live with it for a lifetime. The more they walk, the sooner and better they get along with it. They usually try to avoid any exercise or postures that exacerbates their pain.
Going back to work is also a good idea for the people experiencing neck pain or muscle stiffness as the workplace indulges them well, and they tend to think less about the pain. Regular walk and exercise help them keep their back strong and healthy, therefore active and less bothered. Besides walking, many people with back or neck pain try to indulge in yoga or swimming. What matters the most is that they choose a healthy activity that they enjoy the most, especially which keeps them indulging without feeling the pain.
How Do I know if my Neck Pain is Serious?
Unfortunately, many people ignore the neck pain for so long that it threatens their comfort. They drag their condition hoping for a miracle to happen but sadly, the results are usually not appreciable, and they end up visiting a specialist who suggests further treatment. But when do they actually know that their neck pain is getting serious? Of course, it begins to aggravate their condition with time. Initially, it looks like an ordinary muscular pain that sits there in the back of the neck muscles, making it difficult for the affected person to move around comfortably or concentrate on the work in a normal way.
However, most people just try to ward it off by gobbling some over-the-counter pain killers or a massage. Some evident signs work as a signal of danger for the affected people and indicate that they need to see a doctor right away. If an adult experiences back pain for more than six weeks and nothing helps to ward it off, it is high time for them to see a doctor. Similarly, in case of neck pain, waiting for it to go away within few weeks is fine, but if it persists and nothing seems to soothe it, including pain killers and exercise, an appointment with one’s doctor must be arranged right away.
Signs of having a Serious Neck Pain
People must not ignore these signs if they experience a neck pain:
- a constant headache
- inability to hold one’s head at one place for long duration
- Muscle spasms or tightness that would not go away on its own in few days
- Neck pain while driving or working at the computer
Those who procrastinate the visit to the general physician often end up getting into worse kinds of scenarios. The general physicians can identify any underlying condition, and they may question the patient regarding the extent of pain and the duration. They may also educate and inform the patient regarding neck pain related things that are beyond the basics. Most of the time, the physicians prescribe some of the strongest pain killers to ward off the pain easily, or they suggest the patient alter their life style. After carrying out the diagnosis, the GP will decide whether a patient can get rid of neck pain easily within a few days or he or she needs to see a specialist. In any case, one must not ignore the neck pain that clings with them for a long time as it can turn chronic if not treated at the right time.
What does a Blood Clot in your Neck Feel Like?
Although neck pain or muscle spasms are common among people these days, there are, however, certain signs and symptoms that indicate that the pain in one’s neck is not ordinary. Some patients develop conditions known as thrombophlebitis. It is usually a blood clot in one’s neck or other parts of the body.
Blood clots can be life-threatening, and it has been estimated that in the USA, around 900,000 people are affected by this condition every year. There are several reasons for developing a blood clot in the neck, and the most common ones may include:
- inactivity for a long time
- being bed-ridden after surgery, or trauma
- driving for long duration
- Sitting at work without stretching oneself or taking breaks. Etc.
People can also develop blood clots if they get their blood vessels injured. Blood clots can cause swelling in the patient’s neck, arms, or veins leading to severe pain requiring immediate attention. Blood clots usually affect the superficial veins. The affected area of the neck can turn red or can feel tender due to swelling and inflammation. It is essential to promote movement in order to cut down the chances of having a blood clot in the neck. Movement tends to promote circulation in the body, keeping the blood cells from sticking together to form a clot.
Symptoms of a Blood Clot in Neck?
When a person develops a clot in the neck, often there are no symptoms visible initially. It also depends upon the location of the blood clot. The most common symptom is; having no symptoms at all, strange but true. Second, on the list is that a person usually faints. But once he gains back consciousness, there is no other sign or symptom visible. The third and the most dangerous sign is a stroke. It occurs when due to the blood clot in the neck, the blood supply to the brain is interrupted completely. This condition can often lead to complete paralysis on one side of the body. Blood clots that usually develop in the neck also tend to travel to the brain.
This can further cause a stroke. People may not feel pain with a stroke, but usually, they get frequent headaches with it. It takes at least one or two months for a chronic blood clot in the neck to develop and cause serious conditions. People can get rid of blood clots by receiving adequate treatment timely. Moreover, adopting a healthy lifestyle and an active routine that includes regular exercise can prevent a person from getting chronic problems.
