Carotid Pain

Pain in the carotid arteries may indicate severe underlying issues.

The carotid arteries are two large arteries that allow oxygenated blood to flow from the heart to the frontal lobe of the brain. These arteries are susceptible to certain ailments that can cause serious health issues if left untreated.

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease develops when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries. This buildup of plaque can increase your risk of stroke. Serious signs can develop in later stages, such as sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, slurred speech, and sudden blindness in one eye.

Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysm

An extracranial carotid artery aneurysm occurs when the walls of the carotid artery weaken and expand and possibly burst from thinned walls. Symptoms of carotid artery aneurysms include transient ischemic attacks, which are "warnings strokes," or a full-blown stroke. Other symptoms include facial swelling, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing.

Carotidynia

Carotidynia causes a continuous throbbing pain that is felt from the temple to the eyes, ears or cheeks. Symptoms usually occur during cold weather, and some patients feel a swelling sensation in the glands and experience severe migraines along with the pain on the side of the face.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Carotid Artery Disease: Symptoms
• Cleveland Clinic: Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysms
• Migraine Information: Carotidynia
• WebMD: Carotid Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Tests and Treatment