pain awareness

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.