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 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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- Q What will a doctor need to know to diagnose knee pain?
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Dr. Scott Martin, Orthopedic SurgeryWhen diagnosing knee pain, more important than any test is an accurate description of your symptoms. During the exam, the doctor asks many questions about your pain and other symptoms: Where does it hurt? Try to describe the location of the pain... Full Answer
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- Q What might cause painful, swollen feet in the morning?
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Dr. Howard LeWine, Internal MedicineTalk to your doctor, especially if the swelling is new. Before linking the two problems of pain and swelling, you and your doctor should consider the possible causes of each separately.Swelling: In general, foot and ankle swelling can cause discomfort,... Full Answer
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- Q Besides menstrual cramps, what might cause pain in my upper right abdomen?
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Dr. Howard LeWine, Internal MedicineYour first thought — "Could these be menstrual cramps?" — is similar to what many other young women would wonder. But it's unlikely because of where the pain is.Since this is new pain for you, you need to call your doctor for... Full Answer
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- Q What should I do if I have pain in my eye?
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Pain around the eye is not normal. While many of the causes of nonspecific pain around the eye may not be dangerous or harmful, a more serious condition could exist. It is important to seek an eye exam if you notice pain in or around an eye that does not... Full Answer
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- Q What are some causes of breast pain?
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Likely causes of breast pain are: Fibrocystic changes in the breast tissue, which can cause the breast to feel ropy or granular Fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in the breast, enlarging and becoming tender before the menstrual period Hormone changes... Full Answer
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- Q What could cause burning and tingling in my feet?
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Burning and tingling in the feet are most frequently due to a peripheral neuropathy. This is a length dependent process which affects the parts of the nerves furthest away from the body (i.e. the toes followed by the feet). There are many causes to... Full Answer
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- Q What can I do for pain caused by ankle surgery 30 years ago?
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Joint pain years after receiving a surgical intervention may not have anything to do with the original surgery. You may find that it has more to do with degenerative processes as the years have passed. Chronic pain can be caused by osteophytes or... Full Answer
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