What is the occasional nerve block?
Occicital nerve block is a minor surgery in which the injecting anesthetic and steroids is used to blunt the occipital nerve, which is located on the skull base. This procedure is used as a treatment of rear nerve pain caused by nerve or injuries and sometimes as a treatment of migraines and other types of headaches. The occipital nerve block can provide nerve pain relief within approximately 24 hours of the procedure.
On both sides of the head there are two larger rear nerves. These nerves range from the upper vertebrae of the neck at the skull base and cover a large part of the back and the upper part of the head. These parts of the head may be affected by neuralgia or nervous pain when one of the larger occipital nerves is stimulated in an abnormal way. Typical symptoms of this abnormal stimulation include burning, sting or shooting pain in the affected area. The occipital nerve block is made to reduce frequency of the severity of neuralgia. In some cases, this procedure can also be usedT to treat migraines and cluster headaches.
During the occipital nervous block of the procedure, the patient lies face down on the exploration table or can sit on a chair with a head tilted forward to reveal the neck. The place of injection is disinfected by an antiseptic and the neck area is anesthetic by an anesthetic injection. Finally, steroid drugs are injected to the site to reduce nerve inflammation and ensure long -lasting pain relief. In some cases, anesthetics and steroid may be administered in the same injection. The whole procedure takes less than 30 minutes, but patients usually remain on the clinic or hospital for one or two hours to make sure there is no complications.
As soon as the remedy of the occipital nerve block is administered, the initial pain relief generally occurs within 15 to 20 minutes. However, this initial pain relief is temporary because it is the result of anesthetics. Anesthetics with a fewThe hours wear. Steroid drugs generally begin to work within 24 hours and provide pain relief that may take weeks or months.
Injection of anesthetic and steroid drugs can cause some side effects. The most common smaller side effects are swelling, bruises and pain at the injection site. They can be treated at home with ice or heat application and painkillers if necessary. The source of colds or heat should not be placed directly against the skin to prevent skin damage or irritation. Normal daily activities can be restored whenever the individual feels ready, but it is best to avoid strenuous activities for several days.