Here are seven neck symptoms that may indicate serious underlying health problems:
- Severe Pain: Sudden, sharp, or persistently severe neck pain can be a sign of conditions like meningitis or cervical artery dissection.
- Pain with Neurological Symptoms: Neck pain accompanied by numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms or legs could indicate a spinal cord issue, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
- Trouble Swallowing or Breathing: Difficulty swallowing or breathing with neck pain may suggest an infection or a throat blockage.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Neck pain combined with unexplained weight loss and fatigue could signal a serious infection or malignancy, such as lymphoma.
- Fever and Stiff Neck: A stiff neck with high fever, headache, and light sensitivity might be symptoms of meningitis, a life-threatening condition.
- Loss of Balance or Coordination: Neck pain associated with balance loss or difficulty walking can be indicative of a spinal cord injury or brain tumor.
- Changes in Bladder or Bowel Function: Neck pain with changes in bladder or bowel control may be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, needing urgent care.
