BackHurts? Get it checked
Pain is your body's way of attracting attentionso pay attention.
PremiumOTHERS :
Usually the cause of pain is simple and can be remedied easily, provided you know what it is. But sometimes the reasons are hidden, or you are not sure about the cause. It is important to get any persistent pain (lasting more than a week) investigated, for it could be the sign of a larger problem.
Calf pain
Possible causes: “Being inactive for long periods, overweight, smoking and certain medications increase risk for formation of a blood clot in a vein deep in the body (deep-vein thrombosis), and most deep-vein blood clots develop in the lower leg or thigh. The pain here is similar to a sprain, so the diagnosis often gets missed out. But don’t ignore this, as the situation can become life-threatening when a clot gets loose and travels through the bloodstream (and may get stuck in the brain, lungs, etc.)," adds Dr Arora.
“Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is a narrowing of the arteries in the legs or arms, might also be a culprit. PAD happens due to the build-up of plaque in the arterial walls, and muscle pain in the calves or thighs when walking, especially fast or uphill (it subsides with rest), is a common symptom," says Ajay Yadav, director, vascular cathlab and diabetic foot care centre, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
Back pain
Possible causes: “Scoliosis, which causes abnormal curvature of the spine, usually stays silent and begins to pain only in midlife. Or spinal stenosis, where narrowing of the spinal column puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves," says Dr Jain. “Sometimes endometriosis (build-up of uterine tissue outside the uterus), kidney stones, tumours, infections and fractures might also need to be investigated," says Mukesh Mehra, senior consultant, internal medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi.
Tooth and facial pain
Possible causes: Smriti Pandey, consultant paediatric dentist, Asian Institute of Medical Science, Faridabad, Haryana, says: “Tooth pain could result because of receding gums. Teeth are made of dentine, which contains microscopic ducts (connected to nerves). Dentine is protected by enamel (the part of the tooth you can see) and cementum. When these protective covers wear down, the gums recede, and dentine is exposed, leading to direct access to nerves for whatever we eat," she explains. “Brushing right and using a desensitizing toothpaste help," she adds.
“Facial pains, besides dental problems, can also result due to cranial neuralgia, where one of the nerves in the face, head or neck is inflamed," says Dr Mehra.
Neck pain
Did you know? There may be more than poor posture at work here. People tend to slump forward while working on the computer or driving; this pulls the head away from the headrest and can lead to neck pain. Solution? “Keep your seat in an upright position that supports your head and lower back," says Havind Tandon, senior consultant, orthopaedics, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi.
“Cervical spondylosis (ageing and wear and tear on the cervical discs and the vertebrae), herniated disc (putting pressure on the nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord, causing pain in the neck), and worn joints (leading to osteoarthritis in the neck) or infection of the spine may need to be checked for," he adds.
Foot pain
Did you know? Blisters and sprains are common enough, but another pain point are the heels. Even flip-flops and foam-soled sandals can provide poor support to the arch and tendons of the foot, resulting in overworked tendons, which in turn lead to pain in the feet, ankles and knees.
“Stick to shoes with arch support (sneakers) or shoes with straps when you know you’ll be walking a lot," says Nikhil Iyer, consultant orthopaedic and arthroscopic surgeon, OrthoCare Clinic, Mumbai.
Headache
Did you know? It’s not just due to stress, migraine or tension, even a tight ponytail may trigger or worsen a headache, according to 2009 research by the City of London Migraine Clinic in the UK. To prevent hairdo headaches, go easy on tight hats, headbands, buns and braids.
“Don’t take painkillers at will, as that can put you at risk of rebound headaches, which are usually more intense and frequent. And make sure you are not dehydrated. Dehydration causes your blood volume to drop, which may result in constricted blood vessels, thus reducing the brain’s supply of blood and oxygen. This triggers pain signals—and a pounding headache. Finally, stay easy and calm; when you’re angry, the muscles in the back of your neck and scalp become tense, causing a tight, band-like sensation around your head, leading to a headache," says Dr Mehra.
Possible causes: Very high blood pressure, and some infections of the nose, throat and ear can also cause headaches. Consult a doctor if you are taking pain medicine three or more days a week, or if you have slurred speech, a change in vision, loss of balance, confusion, memory loss, stiff neck, nausea, fever or vomiting, along with headache. In some rare cases, brain tumour may need to be investigated.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
