Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia and Its Home Remedies for Treatment

Optical Neuralgia is a condition that causes damage to the optical nerves; it is also sometimes called C2 Neuralgia. Chronic pain is the most common symptom of the disease. It is mostly brought on by head trauma. Treatment is going to involve pain management.

Optical Neuralgia Causes

Nerve damage is the main cause of optical neuralgia and this is often caused by head trauma.

The types of traumas that can lead to this problem include:

• Neck Injury (e.g. Whiplash). The trauma leads to the condition when it causes nerve irritation and inflammation of the occipital nerves.
• Blunt Force Trauma to the Head and leading to damage to the occipital region.
• Trapping or Pinching of the Nerves in the Neck. This can be caused by tight muscles, tumors, and by certain conditions of the spine.

Some people with the following conditions are considered at a higher risk of developing Occipital Neuralgia:

• Diabetes
• Gout

Aside from these causes, the condition can also appear without any apparent causative agent.

Optical Neuralgia Symptoms

Pain is the most common symptom of this condition.

It can last for weeks and can be relieved with the help of pain medication.

The following may be present with a patient who has this condition:

• Pain With Touch, especially at the back of the head, neck, or scalp.
• Pain With Movement or Pressure on the Affected Area.
• Stabbing or Burning Pain. This can be observed at the back of neck, scalp, or head.
• Skin that is sensitive to touch.

In some instances, the symptoms of occipital neuralgia may be associated with the symptoms of other life threatening diseases. It is important to seek immediate medical attention when the following symptoms are observed:

• Confusion
• Weakness
• Syncope
• Loss of Vision, Severe Eye Pain
• Severe Headache
• Trouble Speaking
• Paralysis; the whole body or only half of it can be involved.

Home Remedies for Optical Neuralgia

Pain medication is the main treatment choice for people with this condition. In addition to drugs, there are also some home remedies and complementary treatments that can help people deal with the condition better, these include:

• Rest. The place of rest should be quite and dark, free of any stimulus that can make the pain worse.
• Hot or Warm Compresses
• Distraction Therapy. The patient is encouraged to watch TV or perform activities that can help distract them from the pain.

Complementary Treatments include:

• Yoga
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy

These therapies can help patients relax better and can help take their minds off the pain. These treatments can be provided together with the conventional drugs.