Tutorial:pharmacology Made Easy 3.0 Module:pain and Inflammation
Pain is something everyone has dealt with in their lives. From acute (short-lived) to chronic (frequent and recurring,) pain occurs when the pain receptors in our bodies are triggered and send a message along the spinal cord to be received by the brain. The area on the body where the pain is felt isn't necessarily indicative of the true cause of the pain. Sometimes the pain receptors overlap, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the issue. For example, a person having a heart attack might feel pain in their arm, leg or neck instead of their chest. Here are 10 common pains and their causes.
Joint Pain
Joints connect the bones in the body and are used so frequently and unconsciously that you don't even notice until it hurts. The most obvious and inevitable cause of joint pain is age, but other causes can include:
- Arthritis – pain in the joints due to inflammation
- Osteoarthritis – degeneration of the joints due to age, more commonly in women
- Sprains – strains to the joints
It is reported that about 80% of adults will experience back pain. The reason back pain is so common is that the important role the spine plays in the body's stability and mobility. Some of the causes of back pain are:
- Slipped/Herniated Discs – occurs when the discs between vertebrae rupture and irritate the surrounding nerves
- Muscle pain – caused by over-using the back muscles or repetitive heavy lifting
- Arthritis – Arthritis is most often linked to arms or hips, but it can affect the back, too
Head Pain
Head pain is one of the most common pains. It can be frustrating and depressing to deal with because the cause can be difficult to define. Head pain is usually caused by:
- Headaches – two of the most diagnosed types are migraines and tension
- Tumors – brain tumors are rare but head pain is one of the first symptoms
Nerve Pain
There are over a billion nerves in the body. No, that wasn't a typo. More than 100 billion, to be precise. Nerve pain happens when the nerves send incorrect pain signals to the brain. Some common nerve pains are:
- Shingles – a viral infection that causes a painful rash
- Phantom Limb – a phenomenon that causes pain where an amputated limb was
Chest Pain
Thanks in part to the overdramatic television trope of clutching one's chest and falling to the floor, chest pain is not always the sign of a heart attack. Other causes of chest pain can be:
- Stress – one frequent symptom of stress is the tightening of the chest
- Indigestion – spicy foods can cause mirror heart attack symptoms
- Lung problems – lung problems, such as asthma, can display themselves in the chest
Abdominal Pain
Whether it is from eating too much or too much of the wrong food, everyone gets a stomach ache from time-to-time. However, frequent and unrelenting pain can be caused by:
- Pancreatitis – a sudden inflammation of the pancreas
- Appendicitis – rupturing or inflammation of the appendix
- Gallstones – stones that block the bile duct
Foot Pain
Humans are bipeds, meaning we walk upright on two feet. Swollen and sore feet are normal everyday pains, to an extent. Some of the more serious causes of foot pain are:
- Plantar Fasciitis – small tears in the heal muscles frequently seen in athletes
- Blisters – walking too much and wearing new shoes can cause blisters
- Stress Fractures – tiny cracks in the bones
Neck Pain
The neck is responsible for holding up your entire head. It's no wonder that it hurts sometimes. Aside from small children, other possible causes of pain in your neck are:
- Muscle Strain – sitting hunched over your laptops or phones all the time can result in muscle strain from overuse
- Injuries – such as whiplash after a car accident
- Herniated Discs – like the back, herniated discs can occur in the neck
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is most commonly found in women, though it can affect men, as well. Some of the most frequent causes of pelvic pain are:
- Endometriosis – a painful condition that occurs when lining typically found inside the uterus grows on the outside of the uterus
- Ovarian Cysts – fluid-filled sacs that grow on the ovaries
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome – affecting male and women, IBS results in frequent diarrhea and stomach pain typically after eating certain foods or drinking dairy products
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects millions of people. The cause of the disorder isn't fully understood yet. The pain is typically referred to as a "fibro-flare" and can include:
- Widespread Pain – it hurts. Everywhere
- Cognitive Functions – memory and focus can be affected
- Fatigue – the constant pain can cause an endless cycle of insomnia and fatigue
- Depression – it can be difficult to live a "normal" life (work, have social interactions) and that can lead to depression
Most people think pain is just a normal, typical thing to deal with every day, but for frequent and explained pain can be the sign of a more serious problem. Hiding your pain doesn't make you a martyr. It just makes you in pain.
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