Key Warning Signs Of Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia occurs when there's an injury or inflammation of the occipital nerves. These nerves run from the scalp through the top of the spinal cord. When there's damage or inflammation to the nerves, affected individuals may experience headache pain at the base of their skulls or the back of their head. Occipital neuralgia is often confused with other headaches, like migraines, since the symptoms tend to be similar. However, migraines and occipital neuralgia are treated very differently. Because of this, it's important for individuals to get the correct diagnosis so they can get the correct treatment as well. Occipital neuralgia may be caused by injury, tightness in the muscles, inflammation, or a number of medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, cervical disc disease, neck tumors, infections, diabetes, gout, and inflammation of the blood vessels.