Therapy | Carotid artery hurts

Therapy

For muscle tensions, physiotherapeutic exercises, back and posture schools and sports activities help to alleviate the pain. In addition, attention should be paid to a good sitting posture and ergonomic workplaces. In the event of an acute pain event, for example after a sudden movement (“dislocating the neck“), heat helps to ease the cramp.Carotid stenoses are almost always caused by arteriosclerosis, i.e. calcification of the vessels.

The more the vessel is narrowed, the more likely a stroke, or a harbinger of stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA), can occur. In a transient ischemic attack, all the symptoms of a stroke are possible (impaired vision, speech disorders, impaired balance, paralysis), but they disappear completely within a day. Carotid stenosis must often be treated surgically if the carotid artery is severely stenosed.

There are two different surgical options available. In the stent operation, a stent, i.e. a vascular support, is inserted into the narrowed segment to keep the vessel open at this point in the future. In thrombendarterectomy, i.e. the removal of a thrombus, the arteriosclerosis or a clot is removed at this point.

This operation is somewhat larger, since the artery has to be cut open lengthwise. It is controversial which method is better. A large study showed the equivalence of both methods. For carotid dissections, blood-thinning therapy and control is often sufficient. In the case of carotid sinus syndrome, depending on the degree of severity, a pacemaker must occasionally be installed to prevent fainting (syncope).

Diagnosis

To make a diagnosis, the doctor can palpate (palpate) the carotid artery and listen to it with a stethoscope. If the artery is narrowed due to arteriosclerosis or a clot, a sound can often be heard with the stethoscope. With ultrasound diagnostics, a narrowing can be easily detected. In addition, the direction of blood flow can be shown. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography, the arteries can be accurately visualized and assessed.