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Can A Cervical MRI Detect Occipital Neuralgia Or Tension Headache?

Posted on Thu, 22 Feb 2024

Question: Hello sir...following up on my previous query. The Cervical MRI is attached for your reference. Please advise if it is Occipital Neuralgia or Tension Headache or anything related to this current findings?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
not confirmatory data of occipital neuralgia or tension headache.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

MRI report of cervical spine.

The report is indicative of C4-C5 osteophyte formation with left lateral canal narrowing , but not confirmatory of occipital neuralgia or tension headache.
This can give you varying degree of pain over nape of neck, possible tingling over left upper arm or forearm ; but not the typical symptoms which you have narrated in previous conversation.

I would recommend to go for MRI brain if not done till now for more conclusive data.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (1 hour later)

Hello Sir...just to give you a heads up....I applied cold compression towards the base of my skull yesterday for 15 min and then in morning placed my head under hot running water....And today at work did 15 min of ice cold compression again....And as of now I don't feel any tension around my head.....any observations?

Also I have a history of migraine in family...my dad has acute migraine issues that is accompanied by severe vomiting and acute headache for hours... my headache trigger patterns are definitely alcohol, stress but when this triggers it goes on for certain days.....but lot less over the weekend when I have a time off from my work.....

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for the details.

* There are many of the neurologic conditions where there are inter mingling
symptoms, definite precise diagnosis remains under suspicious.

* My recommendations at present for current situation

- Always maintain hydration with plenty of liquids.
- Follow dietary measures to avoid spices, non veg, excess ghee till possible.
- Avoid stress, anxiety.
- Maintain regular sound sleep of 7-8 hours.

- Do regular walk in fresh air, exercises, YOGA and deep breathing which are
corner stone of the management.
- Hard to follow, but has to quit alcohol and any tobacco products for rest of the
life.
- Manage some activity of your choice in week ends which will help to counter the
symptoms during that period.

* Most important above all is to relieve pressure regarding the cause, rather than
focus on the management part.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (21 minutes later)

Thank you sir.....regarding the frequent use of Voltaren which you believe to have caused significant damage to my current gut issue...is this reversible? Do u suspect any ulcers or kind of stuff that may have occurred? Also from 3-4 days I am having this nausea kind of feeling...despite regularly eating Nexium 40 mg..could this be due to addition of Kefir? Though I am drinking not more than 200 ml in the morning along with Probiotic Curd Oats 1 capsule of 64 Billion Probiotic....the Morning BM is still twice in the morning but not aggressive and the texture of stool is more like sausage ...I guess the 2nd BM is more like the left over that comes out which couldn't during the 1st BM.....Also the rumbling noise that comes from stomach during frequent intervals...your advise?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Welcome for follow up.

* I suspect chronic gastritis with gut flora disturbances from Voltaren, which is
reversible once we follow certain measures of diet management and medicines.

* Kefir does not sound to be responsible for nausea, but still take nexium in
morning with 2 sips of water and keep stomach empty for 1 hour after that.

* For 2 bowel movements in morning at some time interval, it is acceptable but I
predict to recover the content of second BM with time.
Ignore rumbling stomach noise which is non specific.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (43 minutes later)

thank you sir....do u suspect any ulcers or related condition at this stage considering my past reports....also do i still need to get brain MRI or just follow stress management and other recommendations?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi

* I do not suspect typical ulcer in your case.
* No need to go for MRI brain on priority basis at present.

Just observe the situation on regular basis with dietary measures and strict life style modifications.

I am confident as per my surgical experience, simple but consistent efforts will help you to far levels than any other medicines.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (21 hours later)

hi sir....I didn't go to work today for some personal reason. But today I am feeling tired legs and fatigue (mostly in legs)...I slept at 9 pm yesterday and got up at 4.20 am....did my deep breathing yoga...and took Nexium 40 mg....then had my breakfast after 2 hours of probiotic curd + Kefir + Oats....Since then I have been lying on bed and been on my XXXXXXX replying to official emails non stop...Just had my lunch and after eating 90% of my lunch all of a sudden felt full...and at this moment feeling exhausted......I did notice something yesterday that I was very anxious all of a sudden for no reason while talking to my colleague....had my hands trembling but didn't feel any drowsiness or anything else.....is this all owing to stomach distension or I am thinking too much about it?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

* The above mentioned symptoms are due to underlying stress and anxiety
related to the condition.
* Do not forget to hydrate your body in between with plenty of liquids, along with
busy office work schedules.

* Simply doing YOGA does not mean everything, you have to do it by passion and
just have to loss your body and soul while doing that then only you will get
benefit, otherwise you will have false sense of doing something without returns.

* Additionally I advise to keep stomach empty by 25 % of your satiety level every
time during lunch or dinner.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (19 hours later)

Thank you sir...my last question before I close the thread....I am experiencing Very mild heart burn and nausea (Though no vomiting so far)...I am taking my food properly but feel like a bit of choking feeling while eating at some point of time....Is this coz of GERD or acid in my stomach or indigestion? I am taking Nexium 40 mg in morning and Drinking 2 spoons of Mylanta (Antacid) after each meal as of now....do u want me to add something? Or will this subside automatically in few days?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Welcome for follow up.

* The mild heart burn and nausea are due to indigestion with added effect of
stress.

I don`t recommend to add any drug molecule for that, rather focus more on meditations and deep breathing exercises which will give you long lasting permanent results.

Welcome for any further guidance.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (17 minutes later)

The feeling of fullness and gas is all coz of indesgetion?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Yes the feeling of fullness is because of indigestion.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj