| Visit our website today to request an appointment if you need help relieving your headache behind the ear. Regular follow-up with your doctor ensures that you are getting the correct and effective care. These simple steps will help you and your doctor diagnose, treat, and manage headaches behind the ears. Show Headaches that are localized behind the ear aren"t as common as other types of headache pain. Before treatment can begin, the doctor must find out what is causing your pain and discomfort. In most cases, this type of pain can be limited to one of the following causes:
Each of these conditions has symptoms that are unique, but headaches behind the ear tend to appear on all three lists. Pain Behind the Ears - Signs & Symptoms That Identify the Cause If you are experiencing a fever along with the headache, the signs may point to an infection of some kind, normally mastoiditis. If occipital neuralgia is the culprit, the pain that starts behind the ear, may gradually work its way to other areas of the head and neck. TMJ syndrome is often identified by the misalignment of the teeth and the popping of the jaw joint when you eat or speak. The headache behind the ear is often the result of inflammation and pressure placed on the structures in the area. Diagnosing the Problem There may be cases where it"s difficult to determine the exact cause of your headache pain, even with a thorough physical examination. If there is no sign of infection and your teeth and jaw pose no other symptoms, the doctor may recommend an MRI. Headache pain that is localized behind the ear may not indicate a serious illness, but it shouldn"t be ignored either. If the pain persists longer than two or three days and recurs steadily over the course of a week or more, it"s in your best interest to seek urgent medical attention to determine the exact cause. Occipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, usually on one side of the head. Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes. Their scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light. The location of pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head. The pain is caused by irritation or injury to the nerves, which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head, pinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles, compression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis, or tumors or other types of lesions in the neck. Localized inflammation or infection, gout, diabetes, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and frequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a downward and forward position are also associated with occipital neuralgia. In many cases, however, no cause can be found. A positive response (relief from pain) after an anesthetic nerve block will confirm the diagnosis. TreatmentTreatment is generally symptomatic and includes massage and rest. In some cases, antidepressants may be used when the pain is particularly severe. Other treatments may include local nerve blocks and injections of steroids directly into the affected area. PrognosisOccipital neuralgia is not a life-threatening condition. Many individuals will improve with therapy involving heat, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle relaxants. Recovery is usually complete after the bout of pain has ended and the nerve damage repaired or lessened. ResearchThe National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes at the National Institutes of Health conduct research related to pain and occipital neuralgia in their clinics and laboratories and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of pain and testing treatments in order to find better ways to treat occipital neuralgia. View research on this topic. View studies being conducted about this condition. View NINDS publications on this topic. OrganizationsAmerican Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) P.O. Box 850 National Headache Foundation 820 N. Orleans Content Provided By NINDS Disorders is an index of neurological conditions provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This valuable tool offers detailed descriptions, facts on treatment and prognosis, and patient organization contact information for over 500 identified neurological disorders. What does a headache behind your left ear mean?One of the most common causes of a headache behind the ear is a condition called occipital neuralgia. Occipital neuralgia occurs when the occipital nerves, or the nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, are injured or inflamed.
When should I worry about left sided head pain?A headache on the left side may result from migraine, vasculitis, cluster headaches, or other types. Often, a person can treat a headache at home with over-the-counter remedies and rest. However, if headaches are severe, persistent, or otherwise concerning, contact a healthcare professional.
What causes a headache behind the ear?Joint inflammation, dental infections, or nerve-related headaches can be the underlying cause of the discomfort behind your ear.
|
Pain in the head behind the left ear
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 pauex Inc.
