Common Causes of Neck Pain
There are numerous causes of neck stiffness or pain. Some of which includes:
Muscle strain and stress
This typically results from actions and habits like:
- Bad posture
- spending too much time at a desk without moving around
- sleeping with your neck misaligned
- jerking your neck when working out
Injury
Instances when one can sustain a neck injury include falls, vehicle accidents, and sports. These are ways in which the neck’s muscles and ligaments are forced to move outside of their natural range, more so, the neck is particularly prone to injury.
Severe damage can happen to the spinal cord if the neck’s cervical vertebrae are broken. Whiplash is a term used to describe neck injuries caused by rapid head jerks.
Meningitis
Meningitis [1] is an inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. Common symptoms amongst people that have meningitis include:
- stiff neck
- nausea [2]
- headache
- vomiting
- fever
- sensitivity to light
Meningitis is a chronic condition. It can be fatal and is considered a medical emergency
Seek immediate medical help if you notice any symptoms of meningitis.
Heart attack
Neck pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack. It often comes with other symptoms such as:
- shortness of breath
- nausea
- sweating
- vomiting
- arm or jaw pain
If you feel neck pain and you are experiencing other symptoms of heart attack, call 911 or visit an emergency room immediately.