Pain
Pain is your body telling you that you have hurt it. This is a good thing, important when you are injured. It can also help diagnose problems with your body. Sometimes pain continues long after it's necessary. Amputees report phantom pain in the legs or arms they no longer have.
There are different kinds of pain, and describing the type is useful in diagnosis: recurring, constant, steady, knife-like, radiating, sharp, dull. Medicines that dull pain are analgesics. Those that kill all feeling are anesthetics.
Recently Answered
- Q Does physical pain affect children differently than adults?
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Children are sometimes unable to express or describe their physical pain, and this may make the diagnosis and treatment of it more difficult. Things modified specially to diagnose pain level in children are now available to doctors to help with this... Full Answer
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- Q What are some good standards for office ergonomics?
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There are some established standards for maintaining functional comfort in the workplace. Here are some suggested thresholds for ergonomics that support office workers: Your computer screen is about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) from your eyes, with the... Full Answer
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- Q What is functional comfort?
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Functional comfort refers to the measure of ergonomic support you have in the workplace, including how well your space is lit and the comfort and support of your chair. Unfortunately, most office furniture and cubicles are designed with the "one size... Full Answer
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- Q What should I do if I have pain or a mass in my testicle or scrotum?
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When pain or a mass develops in the testicle or scrotum, one should be evaluated by a physician to rule out infection or, less commonly, a tumor. In patients where pain persists, despite antibiotic therapy, an ultrasound is usually recommended to rule... Full Answer
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- Q What could cause shooting pain and numbness down my arm?
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Internal MedicineShooting pain down the arm with numbness suggests a nerve problem.Possible causes include a pinched or compressed nerve in the neck or in branches of nerves that travel through the shoulder or arm. Arthritis in the neck or a bulging ("slipped") disc can... Full Answer
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- Q What causes non-cardiac chest pain?
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Dr. Bill Salt, GastroenterologyThe two most common causes of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) are: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)There are two main symptoms of GERD. Heartburn (pyrosis) is a burning feeling behind the breast bone. Regurgitation is feeling stomach juices... Full Answer
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- Q What causes kneecap pain?
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Dr. Scott Martin, Orthopedic SurgeryAs you bend and straighten your knee, the patella (kneecap) rides up and down a groove in the front of the femur called the trochlea. This movement of the patella within the trochlea is referred to as patellar tracking. The patella is covered by... Full Answer
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- Q What are some ways to prevent heel pain?
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Dr. Christopher Chiodo, Orthopedic SurgeryHeel pain can take several forms, but it usually develops when people overdo high-impact exercise or wear poorly fitting shoes. Some heel pain can be prevented by wearing supportive shoes with cushioned heels, by warming up before you exercise,... Full Answer
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- Q What is the gate control theory of pain?
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Dr. Lawrence Friedman, GastroenterologyHave you ever noticed that when you have stomach pain for example you feel it less when you're doing something that requires all your attention? That's because pain is not a one-way street. Your brain can inhibit the pain signals from the gut.Experts... Full Answer
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- Q What could cause jaw pain when I climb stairs or feel stress?
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Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Internal MedicineInstead of worrying, you should see your doctor as soon as you can and tell him or her what is happening. Aches and pains in the jaw and neck are fairly common symptoms of angina—discomfort arising from poor blood flow to part of the heart... Full Answer
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