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Uncommon Signs of Pain

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September is National Pain Awareness Month, and while we have helped to educate our community about chronic pain conditions in the past, Victoria ER wants to call attention to some of the more uncommon symptoms of pain. Most people know throbbing or stinging pain is a sign of something amiss, but for those who suffer from chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis, they might be so used to chronic pain that it is hard for them to realize when their body is hurting.

In cases like these, there are some secondary symptoms which can happen in addition to, or instead of, pain which indicate that something might be wrong. It is important for anyone to be on the lookout for these symptoms and seek professional medical health when they think something might be wrong.

Digestive Issues

For many people who suffer from pain conditions, their bodily functions are affected by their pain. When muscles and organs are frequently aching and sensitive, they can act up and become delicate. This makes secondary conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome a trend in those who suffer from chronic pain. These digestive issues can sometimes be misdiagnosed in patients who do not realize their body is in frequent pain.

Look out for indigestion, IBS symptoms, and urinary issues. If you have these symptoms but they do not go away after getting treatment for your digestion, you may want to talk with your doctor about pain being the source.

Mental Fog & Fatigue

Do you have trouble remembering things? Some mornings, does it feel like you’re waking up in a fog that just won’t lift? While mental fatigue can be symptomatic of many different conditions, it is one of the conditions that goes along with chronic pain.

If you experience mental fog without explanation, in addition to any other symptoms which might indicate pain, then you should speak with a doctor about possible treatment.

Sleep Trouble

Maybe you have trouble getting to sleep, or maybe you have trouble getting up in the morning, but irregular sleep habits and sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, aren’t just signs of bad sleep. Sometimes, these sleep issues can be an indication that your body is in pain, even if you do not realize it.

When bodies are in pain, the nervous system is being stimulated more than it should. When your body is constantly experiencing stimulus like pain, it makes it difficult for your brain to turn itself off and sleep like it should. Being in pain can also cause long-term fatigue which makes some patients feel tired more often and need more sleep to recover.

 

Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, and all of them deserve proper diagnosis and treatment. While the most obvious symptoms are pain, these secondary indicators might be taking the place of shooting pains in your body. Keep track of your discomfort, and if you feel you need to seek treatment, you can get 24-hour observation care at Victoria ER, 24 hours per day, any day of the week.

Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Victoria ER or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Do You Have Fibromyalgia?

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Pain can be one of the most difficult conditions that anyone will have to deal with. Whether it is a symptom of an injury or illness, or whether it is inexplicable and chronic, pain is never easy to endure. People who suffer from chronic pain conditions like Fibromyalgia know this best of all, as they have to manage acute pain on a daily basis. 

In honor of Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, Victoria ER wants to shine a light on this mysterious, chronic condition that many people suffer from. What are the symptoms? Is it treatable? And, perhaps most importantly, what can be done for the pain? 

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: 

Fibromyalgia is a condition that results in widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep issues, mood swings, and even memory problems. It is a condition that researchers believe amplifies painful sensations and alters the way your brain processes neurological sensors of pain. 

What does this mean for people who have Fibromyalgia? Well, their symptoms can look a lot like the following: 

  • Widespread Pain: Fibromyalgia flare-ups can be described as constant, dull aching which persists three months or more. This pain can spread all over the body, it is not limited to one area.  
  • Fatigue: No matter how long and well they slept, many patients with Fibromyalgia will awaken feeling tired. This is usually caused by the chronic pain, as it is exhausting for the body to be aching nonstop. Pain can also interrupt sleep, so people with Fibromyalgia have trouble sleeping through the night and can develop sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and Restless Leg Syndrome. 
  • Cognitive Difficulties: Many people call it “fibro fog” because cognitive difficulties are so common in Fibromyalgia patients. Chronic pain makes it hard for people to concentrate and can make patients more likely to suffer migraines, which only makes the “fibro fog” worse. 
  • Co-Existing Conditions: Fibromyalgia is a condition defined by pain, and it can often be found alongside other painful health conditions. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome), and Temporomandibular joint disorders can all be conditions that occur alongside Fibromyalgia.  

If you or a loved one finds that they suffer with these symptoms, then it would be a good idea to see a doctor and get a diagnosis. 

Can Fibromyalgia be treated? 

Understanding how to treat Fibromyalgia means that we first need to understand how this complex condition begins in the first place. This disease begins with the nervous system. Researchers believe that Fibromyalgia is caused by increased levels of certain chemicals in the brain, which begin to signal pain too often or too strongly. This can be caused by genetics, complications from infections, or physical or emotional trauma. 

With a condition that has no single cause, treatment might differ from patient to patient. Doctors who work with Fibromyalgia tend to prescribe a combination of medication and therapy. Given that there is no cure for Fibromyalgia, it is important for physicians and patients to work together to find a long-term treatment plan that is healthy and effective. 

The most common medications prescribed are pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. Pairing this with the most common therapy plans–physical therapy, occupational therapy, and emotional counseling– many doctors find that managing the symptoms, as well as the most likely source for the pain, are the most effective methods. For patients whose Fibromyalgia stems from hormonal imbalances that are caused by genetics, a doctor might prescribe occupational therapy and medication that will balance out the chemicals in the patient’s brain. On the other hand, for a Fibromyalgia patient whose pain is triggered by emotional trauma, a doctor will be more inclined to prescribe antidepressants and focus on counseling. 

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious condition, but it is one that can be managed if treated. Patients find help for their chronic, widespread pain every day, and facilities like Victoria ER offer special pain management programs to help patients of chronic pain conditions like Fibromyalgia. Our 23-hour Observation Care program is tailored to help you manage extreme pain. If you or a loved one is suffering, please reach out to find help near you. 

Nutex Health, Inc. supports you and your family’s health. Come visit Victoria ER or any one of our concierge-level freestanding facilities for the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.