Neck Pain: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Neck Pain Symptoms

Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

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Symptoms & Signs

Pain in the neck can be more than just a hassle. Neck pain can come from disorders and diseases of any structure in the neck. There are seven vertebrae that are the bony building blocks of the spine in the neck (the cervical vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs and nearby pass the nerves of the neck. Within the neck, structures include the neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.

Health concern on your mind? Visit the Symptom Checker.

REFERENCE:

Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.

Main Article on Neck Pain

Neck Pain Neck pain (cervical pain) may be caused by any number of disorders and diseases. Tenderness is another symptom of neck pain....learn more »
Terms related to Neck Pain:
- Cervical Pain
- Pain, Cervical
- Pain, Neck

Causes of Neck Pain

Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing...learn more »
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Article
- Ankylosing spondylitis facts
- What is ankylosing spondylitis?
- What causes ankylosing spondylitis?
- What are ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and signs?
- How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?
- What are ankylosing spondylitis treatment options?
- Can ankylosing spondylitis be prevented?
- What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
- What is in the future for patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
- Where can people find more information about ankylosing spondylitis and learn about support groups?
Arthritis Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...learn more »
In This Article
Arthritis Article
- Arthritis facts
- What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?
- What are risk factors for arthritis?
- What are arthritis symptoms and signs?
- Who is affected by arthritis?
- How is arthritis diagnosed, and why is a diagnosis important?
- What is the treatment for arthritis?
- Is there a special diet for arthritis?
- What are the prognosis (outlook) for arthritis, and what are arthritis complications?
- Can arthritis be prevented?
- What is the national financial impact of arthritis?
- What is a rheumatologist?
- What is the Arthritis Foundation?
Bone Fracture (Broken Bone) Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of...learn more »
In This Article
Bone Fracture (Broken Bone) Article
- Bone fracture facts
- Introduction and definition of bone fracture
- What causes a bone fracture?
- What are the signs and symptoms of a bone fracture?
- What are common types of bone fractures?
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- Broken hip
- Broken leg
- Broken shoulder
- Broken hand or fingers
- Open fracture
- Stress fracture
- Compression fracture
- Broken rib
- Skull fracture
- Other fractures
- Bone fracture in children
- How is a bone fracture diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for a bone fracture?
- Bone fracture surgery
Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica Degenerative disc disease makes the disc more susceptible to herniation (rupture) which can lead to localized or radiating pain....learn more »
In This Article
Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica Article
- Degenerative disc disease and sciatica facts
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- What are the symptoms of degenerative disc disease?
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- How is radiculopathy treated?
- What is bony encroachment and spinal stenosis?
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- Can degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, and sciatica be prevented?
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH or Forestier's disease) is a form of degenerative arthritis. It is characterized...learn more »
In This Article
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Article
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis facts
- What is diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis?
- What causes diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis?
- What are symptoms and signs of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis?
- How is diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis?
- What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis?
- Can diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis be prevented?
Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia, formerly known as fibrositis, causes chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints...learn more »
In This Article
Fibromyalgia Article
- Fibromyalgia facts
- What is fibromyalgia?
- What causes fibromyalgia?
- Whom does fibromyalgia affect?
- What are fibromyalgia symptoms and signs?
- How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
- Are exercise, stress reduction, or changes in diet helpful in the treatment of fibromyalgia?
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- What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with fibromyalgia?
- Can fibromyalgia be prevented?
- What is in the future for fibromyalgia therapy?
- Where can people find more information about fibromyalgia and support groups?
Herniated Disc A herniated disc may be caused by injury or degeneration from age. Symptoms depend on the location of the herniation and whether...learn more »
In This Article
Herniated Disc Article
- Herniated disc facts
- How are the spine and its discs designed?
- What is a herniated disc? What causes it?
- What are symptoms of a herniated disc?
- How is a herniated disc diagnosed?
- How is a herniated disc treated?
- What is the prognosis (outlook) for a herniated disc?
- Can a herniated disc be prevented?
Meningitis Encephalitis is a brain inflammation that causes sudden fever, vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck and back,...learn more »
In This Article
Meningitis Article
- Encephalitis and meningitis facts
- What is encephalitis?
- What causes encephalitis?
- What are encephalitis symptoms and signs?
- What is meningitis?
- What causes meningitis?
- What are meningitis symptoms and signs?
- What is encephalomyelitis?
- How are encephalitis and meningitis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment of encephalitis and meningitis?
- What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with encephalitis or meningitis?
- Is meningitis contagious?
- Can meningitis be prevented?
Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Also...learn more »
In This Article
Osteoarthritis Article
- Osteoarthritis facts
- What is osteoarthritis?
- What causes osteoarthritis?
- What are osteoarthritis symptoms and signs?
- How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?
- "If I have minimal or no symptoms with early signs of osteoarthritis, what should I do?"
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- Can osteoarthritis be prevented?
- What does the future hold for osteoarthritis?
- Where can people get more information about osteoarthritis?
Pinched Nerve A pinched nerve can be caused of a variety of conditions, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc, sciatica,...learn more »
In This Article
Pinched Nerve Article
- Pinched nerve facts
- Introduction to pinched nerve
- What causes a pinched nerve?
- Pinched nerve in the neck or lower back
- Pinched nerve in the wrist or elbow
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- How is a pinched nerve diagnosed?
- How is a pinched nerve treated?
- What is a patent's prognosis for a pinched nerve?
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In This Article
Polymyalgia Rheumatica Article
- Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis facts
- What is polymyalgia rheumatica?
- What causes polymyalgia rheumatica?
- What are symptoms and signs of polymyalgia rheumatica?
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- What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with polymyalgia rheumatica?
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- What is giant cell arteritis?
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- Can giant cell arteritis be prevented?
- What are complications of giant cell arteritis?
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In This Article
Relapsing Polychondritis Article
- Relapsing polychondritis facts
- What is relapsing polychondritis?
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In This Article
Rheumatoid Arthritis Article
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- Rheumatoid arthritis diet and other treatments
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In This Article
Shingles Article
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In This Article
Sprains and Strains Article
- Muscle sprains and strains facts
- What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
- What causes a sprain or strain?
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- Can sprains and strains be prevented?
- What is the prognosis of sprains and strains?
- Where can people find more information about sprains and strains?
Strep Throat Strep throat is a sore throat caused by a bacterium called streptococcus (strep) that can be treated through antibiotics. Common...learn more »
In This Article
Strep Throat Article
- Strep throat facts
- What is strep throat?
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- Bacterial causes of throat infection
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- Is strep throat contagious?
- What are the signs and symptoms of strep throat?
- Are strep throat symptoms different in children compared to adults?
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Thyroid Cancer There are four major types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Tumors on the...learn more »
In This Article
Thyroid Cancer Article
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- What is the thyroid?
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- What are the different types of thyroid cancer?
- Thyroid cancer symptoms*
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- What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?
- Surgery
- Thyroid hormone treatment
- Radioactive iodine therapy
- External radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Second opinion
- Follow-up care
- Sources of support
- Taking part in cancer research
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In This Article
Whiplash Article
- What is whiplash?
- What causes whiplash?
- What are the symptoms of whiplash?
- How is whiplash diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for whiplash?
- What can be done to prevent whiplash?
- Whiplash At A Glance