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Cause For Having Sharp Burning Pain On Back Side Of Head? Treatment?
Question: What causes a sharp burning pain on left back side of head? I have had it for the past week. Thank you for your reply.
Brief Answer:
It sounds like neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Neuralgia is pain related the nerves. It is normally associated with abnormal sensations such as the burning sharp pain that you are describing. It is due to irritation or damage to a nerve.
It can either be central (related to the brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nerves.
Some persons may experience tingling, sticking and other abnormal sensations.
It can occur for different reasons such as: (1) Infections such as herpes zoster, hepatitis
(2)diabetes
(3)vitamin deficiency such as B12 deficiency
(4)side effect of medication
(5)kidney disease
(6)due to compression of the nerves by bone or another mass. This can occur for example in osteoarthritis where the bony outgrowths can compress the nerves.
(7)multiple sclerosis
(8) thyroid disease
(9)lupus,
(10) alcohol abuse
(11)transient ischemic attack or stroke
Since you are currently not using any medication , it is not likely related to that.
In most persons with these symptoms, the normal course of management involves blood tests to check vitamin levels, thyroid function, kidney and liver function.
If the pain is severe then a CT scan is normally considered.
If a specific cause is found then the treatment is aimed at this.
In addition there are medications that are used to reduce the sensations felt.
You should consider visiting your doctor for an assessment.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
It sounds like neuralgia
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Neuralgia is pain related the nerves. It is normally associated with abnormal sensations such as the burning sharp pain that you are describing. It is due to irritation or damage to a nerve.
It can either be central (related to the brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nerves.
Some persons may experience tingling, sticking and other abnormal sensations.
It can occur for different reasons such as: (1) Infections such as herpes zoster, hepatitis
(2)diabetes
(3)vitamin deficiency such as B12 deficiency
(4)side effect of medication
(5)kidney disease
(6)due to compression of the nerves by bone or another mass. This can occur for example in osteoarthritis where the bony outgrowths can compress the nerves.
(7)multiple sclerosis
(8) thyroid disease
(9)lupus,
(10) alcohol abuse
(11)transient ischemic attack or stroke
Since you are currently not using any medication , it is not likely related to that.
In most persons with these symptoms, the normal course of management involves blood tests to check vitamin levels, thyroid function, kidney and liver function.
If the pain is severe then a CT scan is normally considered.
If a specific cause is found then the treatment is aimed at this.
In addition there are medications that are used to reduce the sensations felt.
You should consider visiting your doctor for an assessment.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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