Pain

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Back pain when sneezing
Symptom

Back pain when sneezing

Do you experience back pain when you sneeze? If so, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. In this guide, we’ll cover the causes, symptoms and treatments of back pain linked to sneezing - it happens more often than you may think! First of all though, let’s look at why we sometimes sneeze in the first place. What happens when we sneeze? Sneezing is normal. It’s one of our reflex (involuntary) actions that happens when our body wants to clear an irritant out of the nose or throat. These are things like pollen, smoke, viruses and dust that can irritate the sensitive lining of this part of your body which then causes a sneeze. Some people sneeze only once, while others can sneeze many times in succession. A sneeze is extremely powerful - sometimes reaching a force of over 100 miles per hour - and so it can sometimes put a lot of stress on our body. When we feel a sneeze about to happen, we breathe in deeply and this increases our abdominal pressure. When we sneeze, we suddenly release all that pressure quickly and violently, and this is when a health problem may occur.

Back pain and dizziness: causes and treatments
Symptom

Back pain and dizziness: causes and treatments

Back pain is extremely common and many of us have experienced it at some time in our lives. There are many possible causes of back pain and it can be short-lived and severe, or more chronic and low-level. Whatever the cause, back pain may also be linked to feeling dizzy, and there are a number of conditions that can cause dizziness and which can also involve back discomfort. We look at some of the common ones in this article. Remember - you can suffer from any of these conditions with or without back pain

Neck pain
Symptom

Neck pain

Neck pain is a very common complaint. It is estimated that over two-thirds of adults will experience an episode of neck pain at some time. In most cases, neck pain is not serious and resolves within a few days. Isolated neck pain, or simple neck pain, describes pain felt in the neck and/or around the shoulders without spreading into the arms or down the spine towards the lower back.

Shoulder pain: when to do something about it
Symptom

Shoulder pain: when to do something about it

Shoulder pain is one of the most common and debilitating joint problems, especially as we get older. Doctors are often consulted for musculoskeletal problems, so they're used to managing them. But they're always on alert for the rare occasion that something is seriously wrong, and they need to get a patient the right help with speed. Doctors can refer you to physiotherapy services to triage your problem and manage it – you may even be able to refer yourself without speaking to your doctor. In this article, we'll go through some of the more serious symptoms relating to shoulder pain, and when you should be urgently seeking help from your doctor (or Emergency Department in some circumstances) rather than waiting for a routine appointment or physio assessment.

Posterior ankle pain: causes, symptoms and treatments
Symptom

Posterior ankle pain: causes, symptoms and treatments

Our ankle joints are complex joints joining each of our legs to our feet and are made up of ligaments, muscle, nerves, cartilage and blood vessels. They move each time we move our feet or legs and they allow our ankles to move in two directions - up (known as dorsiflexion) and down (called plantar flexion). The ankle joint carries our weight and so can be under stress a lot of the time, which can sometimes cause discomfort or pain. If you have pain at the back of your ankle, called posterior ankle pain, this can be very painful and interfere with normal activities such as walking, running, jumping or stretching. We know how frustrating this can be for you so in this article we look at the common causes and symptoms of posterior ankle pain. We’ll also give you advice on how to treat it - both medically and with self-care - how to prevent it, and what to do if you suffer from chronic pain in this part of your body. If you want to know how to get rid of that pain you’ve had for ages in the back of your ankle, read on! What are the causes of pain in the posterior ankle? There are a number of possible causes of posterior ankle pain and so you may need an opinion from a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis if your symptoms do not subside with self care treatments. The usual causes of this pain are posterior ankle impingement, Sever’s disease, heel spurs, and inflammation or rupture of the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel. Posterior ankle impingement,** sometimes known as posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS), this usually occurs when a muscle, ligament or bone pinches the back of the foot and is common in sportsmen and women who move their feet repetitively in a certain way, causing their feet to point down repeatedly - such as in football players, ballet dancers and trail runners for example. Sever’s disease** is heel pain that occurs when the Achilles tendon is too tight and puts too much pressure on the soft cartilage at the end of the heel bone, known as the growth plate. It is common in children between the ages of 8 and 14 years who do lots of running or jumping and who are going through a growth spurt. Fortunately, this doesn’t cause any long-term damage and usually goes away as the child gets older. Heel spurs** are bony growths that stick out from the bottom of your heel, where your heel bone connects to the ligament running between your heel and the ball of your foot. They usually develop over time and are quite common. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon** at the back of your heel (Achilles tendinopathy causes pain, swelling and stiffness of that area and is thought to be caused by repeated tiny injuries to the Achilles tendon. It is common in runners and people who play a lot of sports or in people who exercise regularly in the wrong kind of footwear. If the Achilles tendon tears by more than 50% or snaps completely it is said to be ruptured and this is usually obvious at the time this happens, causing very characteristic symptoms. If you are not sure if you have ruptured your Achilles tendon, we have an article on Achilles tendon rupture which may help you.

Lower back pain after drinking
Symptom

Lower back pain after drinking

Back pain is a very common problem with around 4 out of 5 people having significant back pain at some time in their lives. Fortunately, most cases are not serious, require little in the way of treatment, and gradually get better over time although the exact cause of the pain may remain unclear. This is called nonspecific lower back pain. The usual advice is to keep active, and do normal activities as much as possible. Painkillers can help until the pain eases. Chronic (persistent) pain develops in some cases and further treatment may then be needed. In this article we look at what can cause low back pain after drinking alcohol, and how it can be treated.

Knee pain going upstairs & downstairs
Symptom

Knee pain going upstairs & downstairs

If you're suffering from pain in your knee when you go up or down stairs, you're not alone. This is a really common problem, especially in people after they reach middle age as cartilage wears down around the joints. The pain you feel in your knee will differ from person to person and could start immediately when you go up or down the first step, or could happen later on, particularly if you've overexerted yourself. Read on to find out why you could be feeling knee pain on the stairs and how to treat it.

Shoulder pain from using a mouse
Symptom

Shoulder pain from using a mouse

Sitting in front of a computer screen for hours each day isn’t the best for your health yet for many of us, it’s unavoidable due to our jobs. Whether you're working in an office or working remotely, you’re likely in front of a computer screen for close to 8 hours which can lead to all sorts of aches and pains. Work-related shoulder pain is affecting people more and more frequently today and one of the most common ailments is shoulder pain from using a mouse, known as mouse shoulder. In this article, we’ll cover the symptoms of mouse shoulder, what can cause it, ways to treat this type of joint pain and how you can prevent it from happening. What is mouse shoulder? A common issue that people experience from using a computer mouse for an extended period with poor posture or lack of support is mouse shoulder. It’s a form of a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) which is due to overusing muscles or straining them by doing the same actions. Mouse shoulder often feels like a deep aching or burning sensation in your shoulder and neck on the side you have been using a mouse. Carpal tunnel syndrome is another ailment brought on by your mouse, causing pain in your wrist and hand.

Back pain - tips and tricks to getting better and when to see a doctor
Symptom

Back pain - tips and tricks to getting better and when to see a doctor

Back pain will affect most of us, but it's usually a short-lived episode with no serious consequences. Most cases are managed without seeing your doctor if you can avoid strenuous activity and treat yourself with gentle stretches, hot or cold compresses, plus painkillers if needed. More severe or chronic back pain may require medical attention. Back pain can arise from a variety of causes, and there are several factors, such as age, lifestyle, and weight, that can increase the likelihood of it occurring. Thankfully, there are several measures you can take to manage and treat symptoms of back pain. In this guide, we’ll talk you through the possible causes and suitable treatment options to help you live a happy and healthy life. About your back The back is a complex structure that comprises the bones of the spine (vertebrae), stacking on top of each other with the spinal cord - a bundle of nerves providing vital signals to the body - running through them. Movement of the back comes from ligaments, tendons and surrounding muscles. Intervertebral disks provide a cushion between each vertebra, and your rib cage encloses the lungs from front to back, where it attaches to the vertebrae. The spine flexes side to side and front to back, and it has 4 natural curves, named the cervical (neck), thoracic (upper), lumbar (lower) and sacral (lowest) regions. The lower back is the part most vulnerable to injury, as it carries most of the load if we’re lifting something. Injury is usually to the muscles here, and doctors call this mechanical back pain or musculoskeletal back pain, but anywhere in the back – upper, middle or lower – can become injured and painful, and it may only affect one side. Referred pain from surrounding organs and structures can be felt in the back, such as kidney pain in either side of your flanks, lung conditions, pain from the heart or major blood vessels in the chest, and injury or illness referred from the shoulders, neck or pelvis. There are certain cases where doctors worry about what’s causing back pain, and these can relate to your age, how long you've been suffering, specific symptoms and any underlying health conditions or lifestyle risk factors. Let's take you through worrying symptoms and signs of backache, and ways to help heal a back injury.

Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Symptom

Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

If you’re dealing with knee pain, you’re not alone. It’s a very common problem that many people experience every day and it can be brought on by lots of different things. The likely cause of your knee pain will depend on how or when it started, its location and if there are any other associated symptoms.

Pain
Symptom

Pain

We’ve all experienced physical pain in our lives – a cut finger, a stubbed toe, an ankle sprain, headache, sore throat, or even perhaps after an operation. We understand that it varies from mild to severe, and can last briefly or a few days. Pain serves a purpose – if you break a bone in your leg, you avoid standing on it and rest up until the fracture heals. We also have a psychological response to pain, and it can really help to reassure us (and therefore reduce its impact or intensity) if we can understand the cause of the pain. Let’s consider the broad causes of pain and then hopefully we can tailor solutions to get ourselves better.

Joint pain: causes, symptoms and treatments
Symptom

Joint pain: causes, symptoms and treatments

Joint pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether it's a nagging discomfort or a debilitating sensation, joint pain can significantly impact daily life and limit mobility. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments is essential for managing this condition effectively. With many different possible causes, it’s usually best to speak to a doctor. Your doctor will narrow down different potential causes depending on how or when the pain started, how many joints are affected, and if there are any other symptoms alongside. In this article, we’ll take a look at the common causes of joint pain and how to treat it. Understanding joint pain Joints are the connections between bones in the human body. For example, the separate bones in the upper and lower arm are connected by our elbow joint. Joints provide the bones with stability and allow for easy movement, and are made up of several components including bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and synovial fluid. Joints can be rigid - such as the joints between your skull bones - or more commonly movable, such as in your shoulders, hips and knees. However, when joints don’t function as they should, this can lead to pain. As complex parts of the body, there are many types of joint pain that people commonly experience. The medical term for joint pain is ‘arthralgia’ and refers to discomfort in any joint in the body. It’s important to realize that this is different from the term ‘arthritis’, which specifically means joint inflammation. It’s possible to have a joint that is painful but not inflamed, but you can also have a joint that is both inflamed and painful. Types of joint pain Types of joint pain can affect various areas of the body, resulting in discomfort and restricted movement. Understanding the specific regions where joint pain commonly occurs is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. Some of the most common types include: knee pain shoulder pain back pain hip pain foot pain, including your ankle and toes hand pain, including your wrist and fingers elbow pain neck pain

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