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Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Changes
Question: I have been having trouble with feeling completely discombobbled in my head. I have degenerative disk in my neck and arthritis and that too has been extremely painful for weeks. I don't know if that could be the problem with my head or not. I get sharp pains all over my head and it just seems fuzzy. My sinuses are draining, but not to access. My ears and jaw hurt and my jaw pops to the point that at times when I open it wide it almost feels like it is going to get stuck. My teeth have also been hurting and I clench my jaw when I sleep and neck cracks and pops and it is painful. My eyes too, are bloodshot and they hurt at times. It woke me up this morning. I took some Advil yesterday and it seemed to at least make me feel kind of normal, but when it wore off everything was the same. I took they same medication before I went to bed; however, it woke up and everything was right back to the same.
Also, when I drop my head quickly I get shocks down both my arms.
Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Due to cervical spondylosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms that you have are likely to be related to degenerative disc changes or cervical spondylosis. It happens primarily due to degenerative changes secondary to age in the cervical spine.
X-ray of neck in lateral view or MRI will help in the diagnosis.
Treatment includes
1. Use of cervical collar helps in immobilisation and brings relief.
2. Medical drugs like pain killers - acetaminophen/ibuprofen and muscle relaxants might be helpful. Continue using Advil.
3. Methylcobalamin supplements are also recommended for nerve compression symptom- shocks in both the arms.
4. Cervical isometric exercises are beneficial to maintain the strength of the neck muscles. Neck and upper back stretching exercises, as well as light aerobic activities, also are recommended under the guidance of a physical therapist.
5. Hot fomentation helps in relieving acute symptoms.
6. You can avoid using a pillow.
As you try these measures, I also encourage you to consult an orthopedician for both evaluation and to avail stronger prescription medications (if over the counter medications are not helpful).
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What about the pain in my ears and the popping and cracking of my jaw? As I said sometimes it seems like it is going to lock in position and my head feels like my neck cannot hold it up at times and my eyes hurting?
I forgot to mention a shooting pain from my right buttocks to the end of my leg, very painful and uncomfortable.
I guess I am falling apart.
Brief Answer:
All due to joint inflammation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The pain in the ears with cracking of the jaw is due to inflammation of the T-M joint. Rest pain killers and a hot fomentation will be helpful.
The shooting pains from the right buttock is due to nerve root compression at the lumbar spine due to degenerative changes in the spine.
Hope my answer is helpful.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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