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What Causes Stiffness In Neck Post Alcohol Consumption?

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Posted on Wed, 31 Dec 2014
Question: Dear Doctor,

I have been very heavy alcoholic in the past and since the last 2 months i am drinking only on weekends, but whenever, i am drinking i am getting stiffness or dull ache on my left side of neck and sometimes on the back side down the skull bone and this usually happens a day after drinking. Can you please guide anything to worry like Hodgkings Lymphoma or anything else.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Dull ache on left side of neck and back side down the skull bone day after drinking is caused by the alcohol which causes blood vessels in the brain and neck to widen which alters the effects of serotonin on nerve endings leading to such stiffness.

It also causes dehydration, a common trigger of migraine attacks.

Migraines can cause pain in the back of the head and neck.

Try taking an advil with a dose of caffeine (coffee, tea, or soda).

You are not having hodgkins lymphma as you are not havng symptons such as painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin, persistent fatigue, fever and chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss as much as 10 perecent or more of your body weight and loss of appetite.

I will advise you to stop taking alcohol totally.

Regards

DR DE


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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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What Causes Stiffness In Neck Post Alcohol Consumption?

Brief Answer: Nothing to worry. Detailed Answer: Hi Dull ache on left side of neck and back side down the skull bone day after drinking is caused by the alcohol which causes blood vessels in the brain and neck to widen which alters the effects of serotonin on nerve endings leading to such stiffness. It also causes dehydration, a common trigger of migraine attacks. Migraines can cause pain in the back of the head and neck. Try taking an advil with a dose of caffeine (coffee, tea, or soda). You are not having hodgkins lymphma as you are not havng symptons such as painless swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, armpits or groin, persistent fatigue, fever and chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss as much as 10 perecent or more of your body weight and loss of appetite. I will advise you to stop taking alcohol totally. Regards DR DE