Pain
Pain is the most common reason why people see their doctor. Pain is our body's way of telling us that something is not quite right. There are pain nerves throughout the body that, if stimulated, pass signals on to our brain. If you feel pain it is a sign that the body needs rest, or needs to be left alone, so that the damaged tissue can heal. It is difficult to measure pain objectively because people experience pain differently.
Do you have pain symptoms? Dokteronline.com offers information about different types of pain and can arrange for you to consult a registered EU doctor who can talk to you about your symptoms and, if necessary, prescribe medication to relieve your pain.
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What causes pain?
Pain can be caused by many different factors, including damage to tissues, pimples, or a low level of oxygen in a blood vessel. Pain can also cause psychological complaints such as anxiety and depression. Our psychological state can affect how we experience pain. The best way to relieve pain is to correct the problem. If this is not possible, it may be necessary to treat the pain with medication. Treatment depends on the nature and severity of the pain.
What types of pain are there?
- Nociceptive pain: pain caused by damage to body tissue. The substances that are released stimulate the pain nerve that transmits a pain signal to the brain. Somatic pain is a type of nociceptive pain that includes skin pain, tissue pain or muscle pain.
- Neuropathic pain: pain resulting from damage to the nervous system.
- Psychogenic pain: pain that is attributed to psychological factors.
- Chronic pain: pain that is ongoing and lasts longer than six months.
Types of pain
Stomach ache
Stomach ache is very common and can range from stomach cramps and constipation to bloating. Most people experience stomach ache several times a year. The symptoms can be caused by a disease such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome, but also by acute food poisoning, food allergy, stomach flu, stress or menstrual issues. In the case of stomach flu, stomach ache may be accompanied by vomiting, a decreased appetite and diarrhoea. Stomach flu is usually caused by a highly contagious virus.
Headache
Headache is a common health complaint. Some headaches can be the sign of an underlying condition, but most headaches are not serious. There are different types of headaches and each has its own characteristics and symptoms: pain on both sides of the head, in a specific spot, or throbbing, stinging or pounding pain. Everyone experiences headache differently. The symptoms may also vary depending on the time of day.
Menstruation pain
Menstruation pain is the pain that women experience before or during menstruation. The pain tends to manifest itself in the lower abdomen, back, thighs or head. Menstruation can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as bloating, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and mood swings. For some women, menstruation pain is so severe that it interferes with their daily activities.
Back pain
Back pain is a condition that can occur spontaneously or worsen over time. The pain may be sharp and stabbing, or it may be a dull but constant ache. Movement and posture are commonly believed to relate to back pain. Spending much of your day in a sitting position can leave your back sore or stiff. Back pain can occur in both the upper and lower back.
Muscular and joint pain
Almost everyone has muscle aches and pains now and then. Many issues can cause muscle and joint discomfort or pain: exercise, sitting for too long in one position, strain from overuse, or the flu. When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid build up. This results in muscle cramping or soreness.
Joint pain occurs when the bone, cartilage or the joint capsule is damaged or becomes inflamed.
Nerve pain
Nerve pain, also called neuropathic pain, is caused by damage to the nerve or the spinal cord, the long bundle of nerve tissue that extends from the lower part of the brain down through the spine.