Neck pain on the right side: causes and consequences

In medicine, pain in the neck area is called cervicalgia. This term does not indicate a specific disease, but only indirectly indicates the presence of pathology. Cervicalgia can occur not only against the background of other diseases. The right side of the neck may hurt due to hypothermia, heavy physical activity, prolonged sitting or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.

Unilateral neck pain often indicates pathology of the musculoskeletal system, traumatic injuries to the spine, infectious, neurological or oncological diseases. Therefore, if such cervicalgia occurs, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Want to know why your neck hurts on the right side? Go see a doctor. He will examine you, prescribe the necessary tests and consultations with other specialists in order to make the correct diagnosis. Knowing the cause of neck pain on the right, doctors will be able to choose the most effective treatment for you.

Causes of severe neck pain on the right side

Sharp pain in the right neck most often occurs due to hypothermia, injury, pinched nerves or muscle spasms. In addition to severe pain, a person may be bothered by a feeling of numbness in the back of the head, painful stiffness in the shoulders, muscle weakness, or even impaired mobility of the upper limbs. In some cases, painful sensations are accompanied by an increase in body temperature and a feeling of numbness in the hands.

Occipital neuralgia

The disease is characterized by damage to the sensory nerves of the occipital plexus. A person with neuralgia has pain on the right side of the neck on the side and back. Unpleasant sensations intensify when turning and moving the head. Throbbing pain may radiate to the shoulder blade or collarbone. Many patients experience pain in the eye area.

Causes of occipital neuralgia:

• colds;
• hypothermia;
• injuries;
• overstrain of the neck and shoulder muscles.

Neuralgia responds well to treatment. With adequate therapy, they pass without any consequences. In the case of a prolonged course, neuralgia can develop into a neurotic stage, which is accompanied by structural changes in the nerve; Sensitivity in the back of the head may be impaired.

Occipital neuralgia is characterized by the absence of other neurological symptoms: there are no motor disturbances or sensory disorders in the neck, shoulder and upper limb.

Prevention

To maintain good health after treatment, the patient should take the following preventive measures.

Prevention helps avoid relapse

1. Exercise. Running, walking, swimming are just a couple of examples of sports disciplines that can help improve well-being and maintain proper function of the neck muscles.
2. Physical exercise. Exercising in the morning, warming up before, during or after work - all this is also extremely beneficial for the neck and head.
3. Maintaining correct posture. With correct posture, the work of the brain and neck muscles proceeds normally, and the person feels good.
4. Change your diet. Add fatty fish, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Remove smoked, salty and spicy foods, as well as chocolate, nuts and coffee.
5. To refuse from bad habits. Smoking and alcohol have a destructive effect on the body. Getting rid of them significantly improves your health.

These measures, when carried out carefully, help maintain the good condition of the body.

Retropharyngeal abscess

The patient develops acute pain in the neck on the right side, nasal breathing is disrupted, nasal sounds appear, and body temperature rises to 39-40 degrees. Pain in the neck on the right increases when swallowing, causing choking. For this reason, patients with a retropharyngeal abscess refuse to eat food.

To confirm the diagnosis, the patient undergoes pharyngoscopy. During the examination, doctors identify a spherical protrusion in the back wall of the pharynx. In the first days it is localized on the right side, later it shifts to the middle.

The head in patients with a retropharyngeal abscess usually takes a forced position. They tilt it back and tilt it to the side. Patients do this because they have a sore throat and neck on the right side.

What to do?

Of course, says the ENT doctor, every person can look into his own throat with the help of an ordinary flashlight and mirror. However, you should not turn into your own doctor, warns Vladimir Zaitsev. “Because, for example, the use of antibiotics where it is not required, but antiseptics are needed, can seriously harm. For the same pharyngomycosis, the use of antibiotics will further suppress the flora and allow more active growth of fungi. It is also dangerous not to use antibiotics where they are required. And only a doctor can determine exactly what exactly, in what situation and what courses will be required,” says Vladimir Zaitsev. This means that if you experience a sore throat, an in-person examination and the prescription of adequate therapy are required.

There are contraindications. Be sure to consult your doctor.

Acute purulent diseases of soft tissues

In the neck area there are many anatomical formations, between which there is fatty tissue. Cellular spaces are separated from each other by cervical fascia. They form peculiar closed compartments in which inflammatory processes can occur. All of them are accompanied by pain in the neck on the front right.

• Furuncle . This is a superficially located dense nodule, in the center of which a necrotic core appears after 3-4 days. Depending on the location of the formation, a person’s neck hurts on the right front or back. The patient is also concerned about itching and swelling of the boil site;
• abscess . It manifests itself as redness of the skin, swelling and pain in the neck on the right front. Upon palpation, you can feel a soft round formation. Fluctuation indicates the presence of an abscess. This symptom indicates a local accumulation of pus;
• phlegmon . It differs from an abscess in the absence of a capsule that would protect the pus from the surrounding tissues. The inflammatory process spreads to the entire cellular space. The patient has a very painful neck on the right front, body temperature rises, chills and signs of general intoxication appear.

Purulent lesions of soft tissues in the cervical region are extremely dangerous. They can cause inflammation of nearby organs, lymph nodes, blood vessels and nerves. In the worst case, purulent meningitis can develop - a severe inflammation of the membranes of the brain, which is fatal.

Never try to open boils or abscesses on your neck yourself. During manipulation, you can damage great vessels, nerve bundles or other vital structures. By self-medicating, you risk your own health and even life.

Acute thyroiditis

It is a fairly rare disease. The pathology is characterized by focal or diffuse inflammation of the thyroid gland. In patients with acute thyroiditis, pain is localized in the front of the neck, on the left and/or right side. The clinical picture depends on the activity and nature of the inflammatory process (purulent, non-purulent), and the localization of the pathology.

Acute thyroiditis is manifested by a sharp increase in body temperature, chills, headaches, weakness and other signs of general intoxication. The thyroid gland increases in size, and round, painful formations may appear in it. At first, a person’s neck hurts in the front right, later the discomfort spreads to the back of the head, lower jaw and ear.

Dysfunctions of the facet joints

Flat facet (or facet) joints connect the articular processes of the cervical vertebrae, which are located on the sides of the spine. Impaired mobility can occur due to injury, sudden inaccurate movement, cervical osteochondrosis, or prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position.

In people with facet joint dysfunction, pain is usually localized in the back, less often they have pain on the right or left side of the neck. Painful sensations intensify with head movements and subside in a state of calm. During palpation, doctors detect areas of pain in the area of ​​projection of the affected joints.

Unlike spondyloarthrosis, with dysfunction there are no radiological signs of organic damage to the facet joints. In some cases, radiographs show signs of cervical spondylosis. Sometimes dysfunction of the facet joints is indicated by pain on palpation in the places of their projection (on the sides of the spinal column).

Cervical spondylosis

Pain in the right neck can be caused by spondylosis, which usually develops against the background of cervical osteochondrosis. Due to the progressive destruction of the core of the intervertebral disc, the patient's entire spinal motion segment suffers. The pathology provokes the development of myofascial pain syndromes, dysfunction of the facet joints and even radiculitis.

Signs of spondylosis are not always noticeable during x-ray examination of the spine. Pathology may be indicated by a decrease in the distance between individual vertebrae. Osteophytes are sometimes visible on x-rays - spike-like growths along the edges of the vertebrae, which consist of bone tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging is more informative in diagnosing pathology.

MRI signs of cervical spondylosis:

• decreased height of the intervertebral disc;
• the appearance of protrusions or hernias;
• formation of osteophytes;
• arthrosis of the facet joints of the spine.

At first, cervical spondylosis may be asymptomatic. Later, the person’s neck begins to hurt on the right back. At first, painful sensations arise due to physical exertion or prolonged sitting in one position and go away after proper rest. Over time, the pain becomes stronger and does not disappear even during sleep.

Back neck pain

Changes in the spine are the main cause of aching, sharp or nagging pain in the neck area. They occur due to low physical activity and constant work at the computer. Discomfort can be a symptom of the following diseases:

• osteochondrosis - changes in the structure of intervertebral discs;
• protrusion of intervertebral discs (their protrusion);
• intervertebral hernia;
• spondylosis - bone growths on the vertebrae;
• muscle spasms;
• vertebral fractures as a result of whiplash injuries or osteoporosis.

Pain in the back of the neck is a non-standard symptom of spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, and Reiter's syndrome.

Spondyloarthrosis

If you constantly have pain on the right side of your neck, spondyloarthrosis may be the cause. The pathology can develop against the background of osteochondrosis or be a consequence of age-related changes in the spine. Spondyloarthrosis is characterized by organic damage and deformation of the facet intervertebral joints.

The pathology is manifested by constant aching pain in the neck. Unpleasant sensations intensify with extension, that is, throwing the head back. When you tilt your head towards the affected joint, the pain also becomes stronger. Many people have impaired mobility in the cervical spine.

The diagnosis of spondyloarthrosis can be confirmed using MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging shows pathological changes in the facet joints that are not visualized by x-ray examination.

Causes

There are quite a few causes of neck pain, and it is not always possible to immediately determine the source of the pain, and sometimes even with the help of instrumental research methods it can be difficult to determine the true cause of the pain. The main conditions causing neck pain are the following:

Neck sprain . A strained neck muscle can be caused by an injury that can cause the neck muscles and upper back muscles to spasm. Strained neck muscles can be the result of systematic static loads associated with poor posture, psychological stress or lack of sleep. Typically, symptoms of a neck strain include pain, stiffness and discomfort in the upper back or shoulder and symptoms can last up to six weeks.

Cervical spondylosis is degenerative changes in the vertebrae in the cervical spine, in which changes in the shape of the vertebrae and bone growths along the edges of the vertebrae (osteophytes) occur. Osteophytes can exert compression on surrounding tissues (including nerve structures). Research shows that almost 90% of nerve compression cases are caused by osteophytes. Moderate manifestations of spondylosis are a common involutional process associated with the aging of the body, while significant manifestations of spondylosis are a pathological degenerative process. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis may include neck pain or weakness, numbness or discomfort in the arms or shoulders, headaches, or limited neck mobility.

Discogenic neck pain . Discogenic neck pain is believed to be the most common type of neck pain. The cause of discogenic pain is morphological changes in the structure of one or more intervertebral discs. Characteristic symptoms of discogenic neck pain are pain in the neck when turning or tilting the head. Pain may intensify when the neck is subjected to prolonged static load, when the neck is in one position for a long time (for example, when driving a car, when working at a computer). The pain may be accompanied by muscle stiffness and muscle spasms. Discogenic pain may also radiate to the arm and shoulder.

Facet joint syndrome – The facet joints are located at the edges of the vertebrae and are most often damaged by whiplash injuries and are often the source of headaches. Another potential cause of facet joint damage may be the nature of the job, which requires frequent neck extension. Symptoms of facet joint syndrome in the cervical spine include pain in the middle or side of the neck, and some patients may have pain in the shoulder at the scapula, at the base of the skull, or in one arm.

Whiplash – Whiplash syndrome is caused by a traumatic incident of sudden hyperextension of the neck (forward – backward). The most common cause of this injury is a motor vehicle accident. Symptoms of whiplash include severe pain, muscle spasms, and decreased range of motion in the neck.

Cervical myofascial pain – myofascial pain is characterized by the presence of dense and painful points in the neck area. Myofascial neck pain can develop after injury or be caused by conditions such as psychological stress, depression or insomnia.

Diffuse skeletal hyperostosis - Diffuse skeletal hyperostosis is a syndrome in which abnormal calcification occurs in the ligaments and tendons in the cervical spine, resulting in tissue hardening. Many patients are asymptomatic, but some may experience stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility. Diffuse skeletal hyperostosis can occur not only in the cervical spine, but also in the thoracic and lumbar regions.

Cervical spondylogenic myelopathy occurs when there are degenerative changes that lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis can lead to damage (compression) of the spinal cord and neurological impairment. Therefore, in addition to pain, patients may have weakness in the limbs, poor coordination of movements, as well as dysfunction of the pelvic organs (intestines, bladder, erectile dysfunction).

Cervical Radiculopathy – Cervical radiculopathy occurs when the nerve roots are irritated by a herniated disc or other formation, such as a synovial cyst. Signs of radiculopathy may include pain, weakness, or sensory disturbances (eg, numbness, tingling) in the arms. The most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are degenerative changes in the cervical spine (osteochondrosis).

Malignant neoplasms or their metastases

Malignant tumors of the cervical spine are a rare event. More often the neck hurts on the right side in people with Pancoast syndrome, which develops 7-12 months before the diagnosis of lung cancer. The cause of pain is compression of tissue by a tumor in the area of ​​the apex of the lung or superior pulmonary sulcus.

On the right front, the neck may hurt if there is a malignant or benign tumor of the pharynx. Pathology is indicated by a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, nasal voice, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Painful sensations in the neck and back of the head can also cause metastases of malignant tumors.

The following can metastasize to the spinal column:

• mammary cancer;
• melanoma;
• lungs' cancer;
• malignant kidney tumors;
• thyroid cancer;
• prostate tumors.

A person with a malignant neoplasm is worried about general weakness, apathy, and decreased ability to work . With lung cancer, the patient develops a cough and chest pain. If a woman’s breast is affected, a round, dense formation, fused with the surrounding tissues, can be palpated.

Treatment of cervical pathology

After diagnosis, the doctor develops an individual treatment strategy for each patient. It takes into account the severity of changes in the affected area, concomitant diseases, age and level of physical development. A set of measures is being carried out aimed at eliminating the symptoms and causes of the pathology.

Physiotherapy

The Innovative Medical Center conducts sessions using modern Hivamat 200 Evident devices and equipment for shock wave therapy. With the help of these procedures, swelling and inflammation are relieved, and blood flow in the damaged area is improved. After a course of UVT therapy, the elasticity of ligaments and tendons is restored, and metabolism is accelerated.

Taping

This method of manual therapy relieves pain and restores damaged muscles. Special thermally coated bandages are used. They are carefully fixed on the damaged part of the body.

Manual therapy

For pathologies of the cervical spine, it is performed using several techniques. The session begins with a relaxing massage with increasing tempo of kneading. The effect is felt after 1 procedure. After the course, the vertebrae return to their anatomically correct position, and muscle spasms are eliminated. Blood circulation improves, soft tissues are restored.

Acupuncture

The procedure is indicated for various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The effect on biologically active points of the body allows you to eliminate neck pain and weakness, and increase blood supply in this area.

Massotherapy

An auxiliary method of therapy is effective for osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine. After the procedures, discomfort, swelling, cramps, and fatigue are eliminated. Improves blood flow, the patient’s well-being and emotional state. Either local or general massage is prescribed. Techniques are selected individually for each specific case.

Kinesitherapy

Exercise therapy and classes on special decompression simulators are prescribed to strengthen the muscle corset. During the procedures, the load is removed from the spine and the risk of cartilage abrasion is minimized. A large hall with additional equipment is equipped for classes - rollers, balls. Doctors and experienced instructors supervise the exercises.

Neck pain that radiates to other parts of the body

Pain in the neck area can spread to the back of the head, head, upper limb or back. Such irradiation speaks volumes. It allows you to suspect a particular disease, and in some cases, even make a diagnosis and determine the localization of the pathology.

If a person has severe pain in the right shoulder, arm and neck on the right, most likely the fourth cervical root coming out of the spinal cord is pinched. Pain in the neck and shoulder blade, a feeling of numbness in the upper limb indicates pinching of the fifth root.

Myofascial syndromes

The pathology develops against the background of diseases of the spinal column. Myofascial pain usually occurs in people with cervical osteochondrosis due to reflex muscle tension. Painful sensations intensify after hypothermia, prolonged sitting or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.

Factors contributing to the development of myofascial syndromes:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• excess body weight;
• incorrect posture;
• hard physical labor;
• "sedentary work;
• frequent exposure to drafts;
• prolonged limitation of mobility (for example, after injury or surgery).

Painful sensations with myofascial syndromes can be localized in the trapezius or other muscles. Most often, patients complain of pain in the interscapular area. Patients with myofascial syndrome have neck pain on the right side, which is caused by damage to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The pain may spread to the right side of the head (cervicocranialgia).

Irradiation of pain to the upper limb is characteristic of anterior scalene syndrome. Patients develop a feeling of numbness and tingling in the ring finger, little finger, inner surface of the hand and forearm, cold temperatures and discoloration of the skin of the upper limb are possible. The skin may become pale or take on a bluish tint. For some, the pain syndrome is localized in the collarbone on the right side of the neck, and swelling appears in the supraclavicular area.

Herniated discs

Formed in the last stages of osteochondrosis. Hernias are characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms after injury, sudden movement or heavy physical activity. Herniated discs located between the fifth and sixth, sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae have a clear clinical picture. They cause pinching of the spinal roots that innervate the tissues of the neck and upper limb.

Features of pain syndrome with hernias:

• sudden onset with a specific cause;
• increased pain when coughing, sneezing, straining;
• forced position of the head: the person tilts it forward and to the side opposite to the place of pinching;
• The patient experiences severe pain when tilting the head back, rotating it or tilting it to the affected side.

When the spinal roots are pinched by hernias, a person feels pain in the entire upper limb, in the neck and shoulder area on the right side, and the fingertips go numb.

Rheumatoid arthritis

The cervical spine is affected in 80% of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for 10 years or more. Many patients develop spondylodiscitis, a non-infectious inflammation of the intervertebral discs. Pathology leads to instability in the cervical spine and even vertebral subluxations.

In addition to the classic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, there are:

• local aching pain in the neck;
• paresthesia in the upper limb;
• feeling of numbness in the back of the head;
• increased pain when tilting and turning the head.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, JRA, and ankylosing spondylitis often develop atlantoaxial subluxation between the first and second vertebrae. The pathology can be asymptomatic and appear during an X-ray examination. Sometimes a subluxation causes aching pain in the neck and back of the head.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

The appearance of pain in the anterolateral cervical region is a sign of various diseases, therefore, to identify the immediate cause, consultation with a specialist is required. Before the diagnosis is verified, for severe pain in the front of the neck, it is allowed to take analgesics from the NSAID group to eliminate discomfort. Without a doctor's prescription, it is not advisable to use warm compresses or other local treatments on the cervical area, as this may aggravate the symptoms. It is important to limit movements in the cervical spine as much as possible.

Conservative therapy

Drug treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating the underlying disease as the cause of pain; symptomatic therapy is also required to relieve pain. For chronic pain, physiotherapy methods are indicated - electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs and local anesthetics, laser therapy and UHF. In the acute period, physiotherapeutic treatment is undesirable. It is necessary to ensure maximum functional rest for the neck and head. The following groups of pharmaceutical drugs are most often prescribed:

• Analgesics
  . Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used, which have a pronounced analgesic effect. They reduce the amount of pathological cytokines that irritate nerve endings and eliminate local signs of inflammation.
• Antibiotics
  . For purulent lesions, massive etiotropic therapy is needed to eradicate the pathogen. For common processes in the cervical tissue, a combination of two drugs is indicated. For tuberculosis, specific treatment regimens are selected.
• Corticosteroids
  . If the causes of pain in the neck are rheumatic diseases, long-term use of hormones is necessary. To quickly relieve exacerbations, pulse therapy with prednisolone is recommended. If ineffective, cytostatics may be added.
• Antithyroid drugs
  . For thyrotoxicosis of various etiologies, medications that selectively inhibit thyroid function are indicated. If a decrease in the endocrine function of an organ is determined, thyroid hormone replacement therapy is used.
• Antianginal agents
  . To prevent angina attacks, drugs that improve blood supply to the myocardium and antiplatelet agents are effective. The best therapeutic effect is provided by beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, and myotropic antispasmodics.
• General strengthening therapy
  . For lesions of peripheral nerves, B vitamins (especially thiamine) are prescribed, which improve the nutrition of nerve fibers and the speed of impulse conduction. Additionally, agents with an anabolic effect are recommended.

Surgery

For unbearable pain in the neck, local anesthesia is performed in the form of novocaine blockades. When an abscess forms in the retropharyngeal space or in the case of suppuration of a median neck cyst, prompt opening of the abscess and provision of adequate drainage is necessary. After dissecting the abscess capsule, be sure to wash the cavity with solutions of antibiotics and antiseptics. When sialoadenitis is complicated by strictures of the excretory duct, its bougienage is required, followed by the introduction of proteolytic enzymes.

In case of proliferation of nodular goiter of the thyroid gland, which is accompanied by pain and compression syndrome, surgical interventions of various volumes are indicated. If the function of the rest of the organ is preserved, enucleation of the node is performed; in case of diffuse pathology, hemithyroidectomy or subtotal resection of the thyroid gland is performed. In case of severe neck injuries with damage to internal organs, revision, removal of bone fragments and elimination of defects of hollow organs are performed.

Headache

Secondary headaches caused by pathology of the cervical spine are usually called cervicogenic. According to statistics, they are detected in 15-20% of patients with chronic cephalgia. 60-80% of people experiencing headaches complain of the simultaneous appearance of unpleasant sensations in the neck.

Main reasons:

• head and neck injuries;
• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
• dysfunction or spondyloarthrosis of the facet joints;
• compression of nerve roots by osteophytes;
• damage to the atlantoaxial joint.

People with these pathologies may have pain on the right, left, or both sides of the neck and head . A peculiarity of cervicogenic headache is that it disappears after diagnostic anesthetic blockade of the cervical structures. MRI can detect signs of damage to the cervical spine in some patients.

Cervicogenic headaches should be distinguished from migraines. The latter is a neurological disease. A person with migraine has pain on the entire right side of the head and neck. The appearance of such sensations is usually preceded by an aura (lightning, colored dots, fog before the eyes, tingling and a feeling of numbness in the scalp).

Diagnostic methods

At the Clinical Brain Institute, a complete diagnosis is carried out, which examines all possible causes of pain in the right ear and right side of the head. The initial appointment is carried out by a therapist. Based on anamnesis (medical history), examination and questioning, the patient receives a referral to a specialist. To exclude diseases of the hearing organ or paranasal sinuses, consultation with an otolaryngologist is necessary, or if a neurological picture is present, a neurologist. If you have high blood pressure, it is recommended that you undergo regular scheduled examinations with a physician.

To obtain a complete picture of the disease, an individual diagnostic regimen is prescribed. It may include the following steps:

• general and biochemical blood tests - will show the concentration of leukocytes (an indicator of the inflammatory process), deficiency of important microelements, as well as glucose levels;
• additional tests - studies to determine the gas composition of arterial blood (to detect hypoxia) and hormones;
• MRI and CT are the most accurate and informative ways to assess the condition of the brain; they are prescribed for suspected neoplasms, various defects of nervous tissue, and pathological changes in blood vessels;
• electroencephalography - a method for assessing the bioelectrical activity of brain tissue;
• Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head (Dopplerography) - indicates areas of narrowing of the arteries, impaired blood flow and other pathologies;
• examination by an otolaryngologist to identify diseases of the hearing organ.

Based on the diagnostic results, an individual treatment regimen can be prescribed. It is important to go through all the stages and carry out the necessary tests. At the Clinical Brain Institute, examinations are carried out using modern equipment, which allows you to obtain the most accurate results.

Why does a child’s neck hurt on the right side?

In some cases, children may experience pain in the front or back of their neck. It may be caused by incorrect posture, the height of the furniture not matching the height of the child, carrying an uncomfortable briefcase, or lifting heavy objects. Painful sensations in the neck area may indicate lymphadenitis, pharyngitis, retropharyngeal abscess, spinal pathology, inflammatory diseases of the soft tissues of the neck, etc. Let's consider the most difficult to diagnose and dangerous diseases in which the neck on the right side of a child hurts.

Otitis

Otitis is an acute inflammation of the middle, outer or inner ear. The disease occurs after hypothermia, an acute respiratory viral infection or a runny nose. A child with otitis media has pain in the ear and neck on the right side, body temperature rises, chills, general weakness and other signs of intoxication appear.

If left untreated, otitis media can lead to facial paralysis, meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscesses and other serious complications. Therefore, if your baby has pain in the right side of the neck and ear, immediately go for a consultation with a pediatric ENT doctor.

Torticollis

The pathology may be congenital or acquired. Torticollis is manifested by tilting the head with its simultaneous rotation to the side. The development of the disease is caused by congenital shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, birth injuries or defects in the development of the spine.

Pathology can be suspected by the forced position of the baby's head. Due to constant tension, the child has pain in the sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck on the right. Over a long period of time, the disease can lead to facial asymmetry and spinal deformity.

Infectious mumps

The disease is well known among the people as “mumps” or “mumps”. Infectious mumps is characterized by acute inflammation of the parotid salivary glands, causing severe pain and swelling in the neck, back of the head and behind the ears. The appearance of the child resembles a pig.

Mumps is manifested by an increase in temperature to 38-39 degrees, a runny nose, pain and sore throat, and bad breath. In some children, the pancreas becomes inflamed, which causes them to experience pain in the left hypochondrium, nausea, and diarrhea. Note that the disease most often affects boys. When involved in testicular pathology, mumps can lead to infertility.

First actions

What to do if there is pain in the head and neck? Before you see your doctor, you can try the following:

1. Open the windows and ventilate the rooms. The fact is that lack of oxygen also often causes headaches.
2. Go for a massage. The main thing is to pay attention to the neck, back of the head and shoulders.
3. Lie on your back. The surface must be hard. You need to “stretch” and relax.
4. Any bad thought must be driven away. This will help you relax faster.

What to do if your neck hurts on the right

Do you have pain on the right side of your neck and don't know what to do? Go for a consultation with a doctor and undergo a full examination. This will help identify the cause of pain and choose treatment tactics.

To combat occipital neuralgia, muscle relaxants, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. If drug treatment is ineffective, the patient is given drug blockades. To do this, corticosteroid hormones are injected into the tissue near the inflamed nerve.

In case of vertebrogenic pain caused by osteochondrosis of the spine or its complications, a person needs to change their lifestyle: start moving more, perform special exercises and go to physiotherapy. To relieve pain, you can use ointments based on NSAIDs (Diclofenac, Nise Gel, Nimesulide). If serious complications of osteochondrosis develop, a person needs the help of a doctor.

A sharp pain on the right side of the front of the neck should always cause you serious concern. It indicates inflammatory diseases of the pharynx or cellular spaces of the neck. These diseases are treated in a hospital setting with antibiotic therapy. Often patients require surgical intervention. During the operation, doctors open the abscess or remove the cellulitis.