Duration
The duration of neck pain with headache can vary greatly depending on the cause. If the pain occurs for the first time, for example after a long car journey or sleeping in an unfavorable position, the pain usually subsides after a few days. However, many people often suffer from recurring neck pain with headaches, so that a chronic course over months and years is not uncommon. A special case is when the complaints occur suddenly without any signs and with the most severe intensity. In the case of a so-called annihilation headache, immediate medical clarification is important, as such a short duration can be the symptoms of a bleeding in the area of the meninges.In contrast, long-standing neck pain with headaches usually has a harmless cause, but is difficult to treat.
Localization
Neck pain with headache is often felt more strongly on the right or left side. In some cases, it is even possible that it is only one side that is affected. A frequent cause is then that there is tension on the left or right side of the neck muscles.
This can be felt as an asymmetrical hardening in the course of the muscle. Headaches radiating from the neck are then usually only localized on one side. In the case of very severe, newly localized unilateral headaches and neck pain as well as accompanying symptoms such as fever or visual disturbances, a prompt medical examination is indicated in order to exclude rare causes requiring treatment or to identify them in time.
When neck pain is accompanied by headache, bilateral infestation is common. The whole neck can feel tense and thus lead to a severe restriction of the head‘s mobility. The headaches can then also occur on both sides, whereby the back of the head is often particularly affected.
However, some sufferers report a mostly dull pain in the entire head. Bilateral neck pain with headaches usually does not indicate a dangerous disease. However, warning signs of a possible threatening cause are high fever or disturbances of consciousness.
