Featured Conditions
Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN)
Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN) occurs in one-fourth of those with Type II Diabetes. PDPN is deteriorating the quality of life of many whom are not properly treated or remain undiagnosed. It is causing severe chronic pain in our communities. FIND OUR PDPN RESOURCES HERE!
The pain symptoms range from pricking, tingling, pins & needles, electric or shooting, hot or burning, numbness, itching or sensitivity to touch. It’s most common in the feet, which makes it highly disabling… reducing how active a person might be and causing a whirlwind of negative co-morbidities. These include other pain conditions, uncontrolled blood sugar, weight gain, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression. Indeed, pain escalates the complexity of managing diabetes. PDPN is cause by uncontrolled or long-standing diabetes. Despite causing severe Chronic Pain, as many as 12% of patients with PDPN do not report pain symptoms, and around 40% of those with PDPN fail to receive any treatment.
The pain symptoms range from pricking, tingling, pins & needles, electric or shooting, hot or burning, numbness, itching or sensitivity to touch. It’s most common in the feet, which makes it highly disabling… reducing how active a person might be and causing a whirlwind of negative co-morbidities. These include other pain conditions, uncontrolled blood sugar, weight gain, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression. Indeed, pain escalates the complexity of managing diabetes. PDPN is cause by uncontrolled or long-standing diabetes. Despite causing severe Chronic Pain, as many as 12% of patients with PDPN do not report pain symptoms, and around 40% of those with PDPN fail to receive any treatment.
Migraine
Migraine causes intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in your arm or leg. Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. If treatment hasn’t worked for you in the past, talk to your doctor about trying a different migraine medication and/or a preventive. The right medicines, combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes, may make a tremendous difference. Become a MigrainePro Here!
List of Conditions from A-Z
Acute Pain
Acute pain is pain that comes on quickly, can be severe, but lasts a relatively short time. There are different types of pain. Acute pain is a type of pain that typically lasts less than 3 to 6 months, or pain that is directly related to soft tissue damage such as a sprained ankle or a paper cut. Acute pain is of short duration but it gradually resolves as the injured tissues heal. Acute pain is distinct from chronic pain and is relatively more sharp and severe.
Advanced Prostate Cancer
A tumor that has spread outside of the prostate to other areas of your body is considered to be advanced prostate cancer. In addition to staging examinations, your doctor may need to perform additional blood tests in order to confirm that you have advanced prostate cancer. If those tests show that the PSA level in your blood is rising, it could mean your prostate cancer has advanced. In fact, a rising PSA level without symptoms is the most common indication of advanced prostate cancer. Once the stage of your cancer is confirmed, your treatment plan will be developed.
AIDS-Related Pain
AIDS-Related Pain is a major issue for people living with HIV and AIDS. Pain can result from the virus itself, various forms of treatment, opportunistic infections and cancers. It affects all parts of the body and can significantly affect quality of life. Despite the importance of tackling pain, it is very often left untreated. It is estimated that one million late-stage HIV patients suffer pain through lack of treatment in countries where there is insufficient or no access to moderate or severe pain relief.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (pronounced ank-kih-low-sing spon-dill-eye-tiss), or AS, is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort. In more advanced cases this inflammation can lead to ankylosis – new bone formation in the spine – causing sections of the spine to fuse in a fixed, immobile position.
AS can also cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in other areas of the body such as the shoulders, hips, ribs, heels, and small joints of the hands and feet. Sometimes the eyes can become involved (known as iritis or uveitis), and rarely the lungs and heart can be affected. The hallmark feature of ankylosing spondylitis is the involvement of the sacroiliac (SI) joints during the progression of the disease. The SI joints are located at the base of the spine, where the spine joins the pelvis.
AS can also cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in other areas of the body such as the shoulders, hips, ribs, heels, and small joints of the hands and feet. Sometimes the eyes can become involved (known as iritis or uveitis), and rarely the lungs and heart can be affected. The hallmark feature of ankylosing spondylitis is the involvement of the sacroiliac (SI) joints during the progression of the disease. The SI joints are located at the base of the spine, where the spine joins the pelvis.
Arachnoiditis
Arachnoiditis describes a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surround and protect the nerves of the spinal cord. The arachnoid can become inflamed because of an irritation from chemicals, infection from bacteria or viruses, as the result of direct injury to the spine, chronic compression of spinal nerves, or complications from spinal surgery or other invasive spinal procedures. Inflammation can sometimes lead to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions, which cause the spinal nerves to “stick” together. If arachnoiditis begins to interfere with the function of one or more of these nerves, it can cause a number of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, and a characteristic stinging and burning pain in the lower back or legs. Some people with arachnoiditis will have debilitating muscle cramps, twitches, or spasms. It may also affect bladder, bowel, and sexual function. In severe cases, arachnoiditis may cause paralysis of the lower limbs.
Within the NINDS research programs, arachnoiditis is addressed primarily through studies associated with pain research. NINDS vigorously pursues a research program seeking new treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of reversing debilitating conditions such as arachnoiditis.
Within the NINDS research programs, arachnoiditis is addressed primarily through studies associated with pain research. NINDS vigorously pursues a research program seeking new treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of reversing debilitating conditions such as arachnoiditis.
Arthritis
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. Gouty arthritis is caused by deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint, causing inflammation. There is also an uncommon form of gout caused by the formation of rhomboid crystals of calcium pyrophosphate. This gout is known as pseudogout.
Arthrofibrosis
Arthrofibrosis (from Greek: arthro- joint, fibr- fibrous and -osis abnormality) is a complication of injury or trauma where an excessive scar tissue response leads to painful restriction of joint motion, with scar tissue forming within the joint and surrounding soft tissue spaces and persisting despite rehabilitation.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
There are nine forms of cerebral palsy – a condition in which brain abnormalities or damage interfere with the normal relaying of nerve messages from the brain to the nervous system. Ataxic cerebral palsy is one of the rarer forms of cerebral palsy (CP); fewer than one in ten people with CP have the ataxic form. The term ataxic comes ataxia, a medical term referring to loss of muscle coordination, particularly in the limb. Ataxic cerebral palsy is less disabling than some of the other forms of cerebral palsy, but it has a significant impact on patients’ lives.
Depth perception and balance are affected by ataxic cerebral palsy. People with ataxic CP have difficulty with coordination; some must walk by planting their feet an unusual distance apart. Quick movements are difficult. So are activities that require precision movements, such as putting a coin in a slot. Some people with ataxic cerebral palsy experience a symptom called an intention tremor. This means that when they are deliberately reaching for something their hand or hands begin to tremble. The tremble worsens the nearer they come to the object they are reaching for. Ataxic cerebral palsy can cause mental retardation, but generally intelligence is unaffected by this form of CP. All forms of CP can sometimes affect vision and/or hearing.
Depth perception and balance are affected by ataxic cerebral palsy. People with ataxic CP have difficulty with coordination; some must walk by planting their feet an unusual distance apart. Quick movements are difficult. So are activities that require precision movements, such as putting a coin in a slot. Some people with ataxic cerebral palsy experience a symptom called an intention tremor. This means that when they are deliberately reaching for something their hand or hands begin to tremble. The tremble worsens the nearer they come to the object they are reaching for. Ataxic cerebral palsy can cause mental retardation, but generally intelligence is unaffected by this form of CP. All forms of CP can sometimes affect vision and/or hearing.
Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis
Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system mistakenly destroys a special type of cell (parietal cells) in the stomach. Parietal cells make stomach acid (gastric acid) and a substance our body needs to help absorb vitamin B12 (called intrinsic factor). The progressive loss of parietal cells may lead to iron deficiency and finally vitamin B12 deficiency. The clinical signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include tiredness, pale complexion, and heart problems such as exercise intolerance and palpitations. B12 deficiency may lead to pernicious anemia as well as gastrointestinal and neurological problems. Autoimmune atrophic gastritis may also be associated with an increased risk of certain types of stomach cancers.
Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Also called osteonecrosis, avascular necrosis can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone’s eventual collapse. The blood flow to a section of bone can be interrupted if the bone is fractured or the joint becomes dislocated. Avascular necrosis of bone is also associated with long-term use of high-dose steroid medications and excessive alcohol intake.
The hip is the joint most commonly affected by avascular necrosis. While avascular necrosis of bone can happen to anyone, it usually occurs in men between the ages of 30 and 60.
The hip is the joint most commonly affected by avascular necrosis. While avascular necrosis of bone can happen to anyone, it usually occurs in men between the ages of 30 and 60.
Back Pain
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move. It can start quickly if you fall or lift something too heavy, or it can get worse slowly (NIAMS).
Behçet’s Syndrome
Behçet’s Syndrome is a rare multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by ulcers affecting the mouth and genitals, various skin lesions, and abnormalities affecting the eyes. Symptoms include mucous membrane lesions of the mouth (canker sores) and genitals (ulcers) that tend to disappear and recur spontaneously. Inflammation of the eyes (anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis) also affects individuals with Behçet’s syndrome. Additional systems of the body may also be affected including the joints, blood vessels, central nervous system, and/or digestive tract. The exact cause of Behçet’s syndrome is unknown.
Breakthrough Pain
Breakthrough pain is pain that comes on suddenly for short periods of time and is not alleviated by the patients’ normal pain suppression management.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome is the medical term for ongoing (chronic) or recurrent burning in the mouth without an obvious cause. The discomfort may affect your tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth, or widespread areas of your whole mouth. Burning mouth syndrome appears suddenly and can be severe, as if you scalded your mouth.
Other names for burning mouth syndrome include scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, stomatodynia, and glossodynia. Unfortunately, the cause of burning mouth syndrome often can’t be determined. Although that makes treatment more difficult, don’t despair. By working closely with your health care team, you can often get burning mouth syndrome under better control.
Other names for burning mouth syndrome include scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, stomatodynia, and glossodynia. Unfortunately, the cause of burning mouth syndrome often can’t be determined. Although that makes treatment more difficult, don’t despair. By working closely with your health care team, you can often get burning mouth syndrome under better control.
Bursitis
Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small fluid-filled pads – called bursae – that act as cushions among your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulders, elbows, or hips. But you can also have bursitis in your knee, heel, and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs in joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.
CADASIL
CADASIL is an inherited disease often misdiagnosed as MS or other neurological disorders. It is considered a serious rare disease that is underdiagnosed. CADASIL causes multiple strokes and TIAs in adults, even young adults, often without cardiovascular factors. Symptoms of the disease result from damage of small blood vessels, especially those within the brain. CADASIL patients have symptoms of seizures, migraines, dizziness and balance problems, vision disturbances, fatigue, and mood disorders that include anxiety, depression, and apathy. CADASIL is an acronym for: Cerebral – relating to the brain. Autosomal Dominant – a form of inheritance in which one copy of an abnormal gene is sufficient for the development of a disorder. Arteriopathy – disease of the small arteries (blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart) with Subcortical – relating to a specific area of the deep brain that is involved in higher functioning (voluntary movements, reasoning, memory) Infarcts – tissue loss in the brain caused by lack of oxygen to the brain, which occurs when blood flow in the small arteries is blocked or abnormal and Leukoencephalopathy – destruction of the myelin (an oily substance that covers and protects nerve fibers in the central nervous system)
Cancer Pain
Not everyone with cancer experiences cancer pain, but one of out three people undergoing cancer treatment does. If you have advanced cancer — cancer that has spread or recurred — your chance of experiencing cancer pain is even higher. Cancer pain occurs in many ways. Your pain may be dull, aching or sharp. It could be constant, intermittent, mild, moderate or severe.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of your hand. It contains nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the nerve to be compressed. Symptoms usually start gradually. As they worsen, grasping objects can become difficult.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a relatively rare but serious condition that describes extreme pressure and swelling of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. It gets its name from Latin, “horse’s tail,” because the nerves at the end of the spine visually resemble a horse’s tail as they extend from the spinal cord down the back of each leg.
Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical emergency that requires testing and possibly urgent surgical intervention. If patients with cauda equina syndrome do not get treatment quickly, adverse results can include permanent paralysis, impaired bladder and/or bowel control, difficulty walking, and/or other neurological and physical problems.
Cauda equina syndrome is a serious medical emergency that requires testing and possibly urgent surgical intervention. If patients with cauda equina syndrome do not get treatment quickly, adverse results can include permanent paralysis, impaired bladder and/or bowel control, difficulty walking, and/or other neurological and physical problems.
Central Pain Syndrome
Central Pain Syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage to or dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. This syndrome can be caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, epilepsy, brain or spinal cord trauma, or Parkinson’s disease. The character of the pain associated with this syndrome differs widely among individuals partly because of the variety of potential causes.
Central pain syndrome may affect a large portion of the body or may be more restricted to specific areas, such as hands or feet. The extent of pain is usually related to the cause of the CNS injury or damage. Pain is typically constant, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and is often made worse by touch, movement, emotions, and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures. Individuals experience one or more types of pain sensations, the most prominent being burning. Mingled with the burning may be sensations of “pins and needles;” pressing, lacerating, or aching pain; and brief, intolerable bursts of sharp pain similar to the pain caused by a dental probe on an exposed nerve. Individuals may have numbness in the areas affected by the pain. The burning and loss of touch sensations are usually most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands. Central pain syndrome often begins shortly after the causative injury or damage, but may be delayed by months or even years, especially if it is related to post-stroke pain.
Central pain syndrome may affect a large portion of the body or may be more restricted to specific areas, such as hands or feet. The extent of pain is usually related to the cause of the CNS injury or damage. Pain is typically constant, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and is often made worse by touch, movement, emotions, and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures. Individuals experience one or more types of pain sensations, the most prominent being burning. Mingled with the burning may be sensations of “pins and needles;” pressing, lacerating, or aching pain; and brief, intolerable bursts of sharp pain similar to the pain caused by a dental probe on an exposed nerve. Individuals may have numbness in the areas affected by the pain. The burning and loss of touch sensations are usually most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands. Central pain syndrome often begins shortly after the causative injury or damage, but may be delayed by months or even years, especially if it is related to post-stroke pain.
Cerebral Palsy
The term cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. CP affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. The majority of children with cerebral palsy are born with it, although it may not be detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches 3 years of age. The most common are a lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements (ataxia); stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity); walking with one foot or leg dragging; walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait; and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy. Other neurological symptoms that commonly occur in individuals with CP include seizures, hearing loss, and impaired vision, bladder and bowel control issues, and pain and abnormal sensations.
A small number of children have CP as the result of brain damage in the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or head injury from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse. The disorder isn’t progressive, meaning that the brain damage typically doesn’t get worse over time. Risk factors associated with CP do not cause the disorder but can increase a child’s chance of being born with the disorder. CP is not hereditary.
A small number of children have CP as the result of brain damage in the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or head injury from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse. The disorder isn’t progressive, meaning that the brain damage typically doesn’t get worse over time. Risk factors associated with CP do not cause the disorder but can increase a child’s chance of being born with the disorder. CP is not hereditary.
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck. The spinal canal is the open area in the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column. The spinal cord is a collection of nerves that runs through the spinal canal from the base of the brain to the lower back. These nerves allow us to feel, to move, and to control the bowel and bladder and other body functions. In cervical spinal stenosis, the spinal canal narrows and can squeeze and compress the nerve roots where they leave the spinal cord, or it may compress or damage the spinal cord itself. The seven vertebrae between the head and the chest make up the cervical spine. Squeezing the nerves and cord in the cervical spine can change how the spinal cord functions and cause pain, stiffness, numbness, or weakness in the neck, arms, and legs. It can also affect your control of your bowels and bladder.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of genetic nerve disorders. It is named after the three doctors who first identified it. In the United States, CMT affects about 1 in 3,300 people. CMT affects your peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves carry movement and sensation signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Symptoms usually start around the teen years. Foot problems such as high arches or hammertoes can be early symptoms. As CMT progresses, your lower legs may weaken. Later, your hands may also become weak. There is no cure. The disease can be so mild you don’t realize you have it or severe enough to make you weak. Many people with CMT lead active lives and have a normal life span. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces and other devices and sometimes surgery can help you cope.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical or mental activity but doesn’t improve with rest. Although there are many theories about what causes this condition – ranging from viral infections to psychological stress – in most cases the cause is still unknown. Because its symptoms are difficult to measure, CFS wasn’t widely accepted as a real medical condition for several years. Today, however, doctors and researchers agree that this chronic condition should be taken seriously. Although an underlying cause often isn’t found, effective treatments for the signs and symptoms of CFS are available. Many people recover from chronic fatigue syndrome over time.
Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain (CFAP)
Chronic abdominal pain and chronic pelvic pain (CPP) can arise from many contributing factors or medical conditions. When the cause of the pain is known, your primary care physician, gastroenterologist or surgeon may treat the condition and, subsequently, the pain. But other times, despite an extensive work-up by these teams, the cause of the pain may not be clear, but the pain may be debilitating just the same. Patients with abdominal pain may then be referred to a pain management clinic for evaluation and treatment, whether from a known or unknown cause.
Chronic abdominal pain, also known as chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP), is pain caused by an unexplained source. Chronic functional abdominal pain is the diagnosis when appendicitis, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, and other diagnoses have been ruled out.
Chronic abdominal pain, also known as chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP), is pain caused by an unexplained source. Chronic functional abdominal pain is the diagnosis when appendicitis, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, and other diagnoses have been ruled out.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can be described as ongoing or recurrent pain, lasting beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury or more than 3 to 6 months, and which adversely affects the individual’s well-being. A simpler definition for chronic or persistent pain is pain that continues when it should not.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is commonly defined as a continuing, chronic, inflammatory process of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible morphologic changes. This chronic inflammation can lead to chronic abdominal pain and/or impairment of the endocrine and exocrine function of the pancreas.
Chronic pancreatitis usually is envisioned as an atrophic fibrotic gland with dilated ducts and calcifications. However, findings on conventional diagnostic studies may be normal in the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, as the inflammatory changes can be seen only by histologic examination. By definition, chronic pancreatitis is a completely different process from acute pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, the patient presents with acute and severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The pancreas is acutely inflamed (neutrophils and edema), and the serum levels of pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) are elevated. Full recovery is observed in most patients with acute pancreatitis, whereas in chronic pancreatitis, the primary process is a chronic, irreversible inflammation (monocyte and lymphocyte) that leads to fibrosis with calcification.
The patient with chronic pancreatitis clinically presents with chronic abdominal pain and normal or mildly elevated pancreatic enzyme levels. When the pancreas loses its endocrine and exocrine function, the patient presents with diabetes mellitus and steatorrhea.
Chronic pancreatitis usually is envisioned as an atrophic fibrotic gland with dilated ducts and calcifications. However, findings on conventional diagnostic studies may be normal in the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, as the inflammatory changes can be seen only by histologic examination. By definition, chronic pancreatitis is a completely different process from acute pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, the patient presents with acute and severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The pancreas is acutely inflamed (neutrophils and edema), and the serum levels of pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) are elevated. Full recovery is observed in most patients with acute pancreatitis, whereas in chronic pancreatitis, the primary process is a chronic, irreversible inflammation (monocyte and lymphocyte) that leads to fibrosis with calcification.
The patient with chronic pancreatitis clinically presents with chronic abdominal pain and normal or mildly elevated pancreatic enzyme levels. When the pancreas loses its endocrine and exocrine function, the patient presents with diabetes mellitus and steatorrhea.
Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches are rare when compared with other types of headaches, but not to the people that have them. The pain is extremely severe and tends to recur in the same way each time. Cluster headaches occur in groups, hence the name cluster headaches. Each attack lasts about 1 to 3 hours on average. They may occur every other day, up to multiple times a day. Cluster periods are followed by remissions where there are no headaches. These may last months or years. Men are affected by cluster headaches more than women. They typically start around age 30.
Coccyx Injury
A coccyx injury results in pain and discomfort in the tailbone area (the condition is called coccydynia). These injuries may result in a bruise, dislocation, or fracture (break) of the coccyx. Although they may be slow to heal, the majority of coccyx injuries can be managed with cautious treatment. The coccyx is the triangular bony structure located at the bottom of the vertebral column. It is composed of three to five bony segments held in place by joints and ligaments.
Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)
Medically known as pneumothorax, a collapsed lung occurs when air escapes from the lung and then fills the space outside of the lung, between the lung and chest wall. This buildup of air puts pressure on the lung, so that it cannot expand as much as it normally does when you take a breath.
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is an abnormal accumulation of air in the space between the lungs and the chest cavity (called the pleural space) that can result in the partial or complete collapse of a lung. This type of pneumothorax is described as primary because it occurs in the absence of lung disease such as emphysema. Spontaneous means the pneumothorax was not caused by an injury such as a rib fracture. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is likely due to the formation of small sacs of air (blebs) in lung tissue that rupture, causing air to leak into the pleural space. Air in the pleural space creates pressure on the lung and can lead to its collapse. A person with this condition may feel chest pain on the side of the collapsed lung and shortness of breath.
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is an abnormal accumulation of air in the space between the lungs and the chest cavity (called the pleural space) that can result in the partial or complete collapse of a lung. This type of pneumothorax is described as primary because it occurs in the absence of lung disease such as emphysema. Spontaneous means the pneumothorax was not caused by an injury such as a rib fracture. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is likely due to the formation of small sacs of air (blebs) in lung tissue that rupture, causing air to leak into the pleural space. Air in the pleural space creates pressure on the lung and can lead to its collapse. A person with this condition may feel chest pain on the side of the collapsed lung and shortness of breath.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (CRPS/RSD) is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by severe burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to light touch.
Corneal Neuropathic Pain
Corneal pain, commonly known as ‘dry eye,’ may be a neuropathic pain condition with abnormalities of the nerve plexus. Corneal neuropathic pain and photosensitivity is an under-recognized disorder that may be associated with focal facial dystonias, particularly blepharospasm which is defined as the involuntary bilateral spasmodic closing of the eyelids.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease causes inflammation of the digestive system which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease.
Degenerative Disk Disease
Degenerative Disk Disease is a condition where normal changes that take place in the disks of your spine cause sharp or constant pain in the back and neck.
Depression
Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.
Dercum’s Disease
Dercum’s Disease is an extremely rare disorder characterized by multiple, painful growths consisting of fatty tissue called lipomas. These growths mainly occur on the trunk, the upper arms and upper legs and are found just below the skin (subcutaneously). Pain associated with this condition can often be severe. Pain may be caused by these growths pressing on nearby nerves. Dercum’s Disease mainly occurs in adults and more women are affected than men. In some cases, affected individuals may also experience weight gain, depression, lethargy, and/or confusion. The exact cause of this disease is unknown.
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is one of a group of muscle diseases known as inflammatory myopathies, characterized by chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. Dermatomyositis’ cardinal symptom is a skin rash that precedes, accompanies, or follows progressive muscle weakness. The rash looks patchy, with purple or red discolorations, and characteristically develops on the eyelids and on muscles used to extend or straighten joints, including knuckles, elbows, knees, and toes. Red rashes may also occur on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, and other locations, and there may be swelling in the affected areas. The rash sometimes occurs without obvious muscle involvement. Adults with dermatomyositis may experience weight loss, a low-grade fever, inflamed lungs, and be sensitive to light such that the rash or muscle disease gets worse. Children and adults with dermatomyositis may develop calcium deposits, which appear as hard bumps under the skin or in the muscle (called calcinosis). Calcinosis most often occurs 1-3 years after the disease begins. These deposits are seen more often in children with dermatomyositis than in adults. In some cases of dermatomyositis, distal muscles (muscles located away from the trunk of the body, such as those in the forearms and around the ankles and wrists) may be affected as the disease progresses. Dermatomyositis may be associated with collagen-vascular or autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a form of nerve damage in the hands or feet. It is one of the most common complications impacting the estimated 26 million Americans with diabetes. More than 1 in 5 experiences pain as a result of this damage, commonly referred to as diabetic nerve pain or painful DPN.
Dystonia
Dystonia causes muscles to contract involuntarily, resulting in an uncontrollable twisting of the affected body part. Symptoms can be mild or severe and may interfere with the performance of many day-to-day tasks. Doctors divide dystonia into two broad categories, generalized or focal. If your symptoms begin during your youth, you could have a type of dystonia that’s inherited and the symptoms may eventually affect the entire body (generalized). Most cases of dystonia, however, occur in adults and tend to affect only one body part – often the neck, the face, or an arm (focal).
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders that weaken connective tissues. Connective tissues are proteins that support skin, bones, blood vessels, and other organs.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when tissue called endometrium, like that which lines the uterus, is found outside the uterus – usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations. This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does; each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation that can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.
Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)
Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS) is a rare disorder that affects multiple organ systems of the body including the muscles, skin, and lungs. The onset of the disorder is often abrupt and the specific symptoms can vary greatly from one person to another. Common symptoms include muscle pain (myalgia), muscle weakness, cramping, skin rashes, difficulty breathing (dyspnea) and fatigue. Affected individuals have elevated levels of certain white blood cells known as eosinophils in the various tissues of the body, a condition known as eosinophilia. Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome can potentially cause severe, disabling complications and even death.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (also called FBSS, or failed back syndrome) is a misnomer, as it is not actually a syndrome. Instead, it is a very generalized term that is often used to describe the condition of patients who have not had a successful result with back surgery or spine surgery. There is no equivalent term for this in any other type of surgery (e.g. there is no failed cardiac surgery syndrome, failed knee surgery syndrome, etc).
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to pressure (allodynia). Other core symptoms are debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Some patients may also report difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling (paresthesia), and cognitive dysfunction.
Gout
Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in joints; often the joint at the base of the big toe. A complex form of arthritis, gout can affect anyone. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to this condition after menopause.
Headaches
Headaches are the most common form of pain. Tension headaches, the most common type, are due to tight muscles in the shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw. They are often related to stress, depression, or anxiety. Other common headaches include migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Most people can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and taking pain relievers.
Herniated Disc
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling. Hydrocephalus means “water on the brain.” The symptoms depend on the cause of the blockage, the person’s age, and how much brain tissue has been damaged by the swelling. In infants with hydrocephalus, CSF fluid builds up in the central nervous system, causing the fontanelle (soft spot) to bulge and the head to be larger than expected.
Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis is a very rare and highly debilitating hearing disorder characterized by an increased sensitivity to certain frequencies and volume ranges of sound, or a lower than average tolerance for environmental noise. A person with severe hyperacusis has great difficulty tolerating many everyday sounds, which are perceived by the person as uncomfortably loud and sometimes physically painful.
Intercostal Neuralgia
Intercostal neuralgia is caused by nerve compression in the abdominal area, which is the area by the ribcage. The intercostal nerves arise from the spinal cord and lie under the rib, along with the vein and artery. These nerves innervate the muscles of the rib cage, skin, and chest cavity. The intercostals nerves can be injured from surgery or trauma, viral infections such as shingles, or idiopathic, meaning they have no identifiable cause. Symptoms include spasmodic pain occurring around the ribs. Due to the placement of the nerve, motions such as breathing, laughing or sneezing can cause pain. Other symptoms include left-sided pain in the back, pain in the left side of the ribs, tingling, numbness, loss of appetite, paralysis, and atrophy of the muscles. In severe cases, the pain may feel like a lightning bolt and could extend to the back.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition characterized by a combination of uncomfortable bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pain in your pelvis, which can range from mild burning or discomfort to severe pain. While interstitial cystitis – also called painful bladder syndrome – can affect children and men, most of those affected are women. Interstitial cystitis can have a long-lasting adverse effect on your quality of life. The severity of symptoms caused by interstitial cystitis often fluctuates, and some people may experience periods of remission. Although there’s no treatment that reliably eliminates interstitial cystitis, a variety of medications and other therapies offer relief.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a “syndrome,” meaning a group of symptoms. IBS is not a disease. It’s a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn’t work, or function, correctly. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.
Juvenile Dermatositis (JDM)
Juvenile dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disease of the muscle (myositis), skin and blood vessels that affects about 3 in 1 million children each year. The cause is unknown. The symptoms of JDM include muscle weakness and skin rash. Other forms of myositis in children include polymyositis, focal myositis, and other rare forms of myositis. Patients with JDM develop weakness in the large muscles around the neck, shoulders, and hips. This causes difficulty in climbing stairs, getting into cars, getting up from a chair or off the floor, or brushing hair. Most patients have little, if any, pain in their muscles, which distinguishes them from patients with other forms of muscle disease. Juvenile dermatomyositis causes varying symptoms. They range from minimal muscle weakness, including falling when running and having to turn over out of bed, to not being able to swallow and changes in the voice. Patients can also have skin rashes that range from mild redness to severe ulcers.
Knee Injury
The knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments, and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, it is referred to as a knee injury or knee problem. Knee injuries can cause pain and difficulty walking.
Leg Pain
Leg Pain can be caused by a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse), injury, or other cause. Common causes of muscle cramps include dehydration, medications (such as diuretics and statins), and muscle fatigue.
Loin Pain-Haematuria Syndrome (LPHS)
Loin Pain-Haematuria Syndrome (LPHS) is a combination of loin (ie kidney) pain and haematuria, which is a medical term for blood in the urine. The loin pain may be a continuous dull ache, or intermittent, coming on only occasionally. The blood in the urine may be visible to the naked eye, coming in occasional attacks. There may even occasionally be blood clots. In other cases, the amount of blood is so small that it cannot be seen but is detected when the urine is tested in the clinic.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”) and creates auto-antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These auto-antibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. Borrelia is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks belonging to a few species of the genus Ixodes (the so-called “hard ticks”). Early symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, depression, and a characteristic circular skin rash called erythema migrans. Left untreated, later symptoms may involve the joints, heart, and central nervous system. In most cases, the infection and its symptoms are eliminated by antibiotics, especially if the illness is treated early. Late, delayed, or inadequate treatment can lead to more serious symptoms, which can be disabling and difficult to treat. Occasionally, symptoms such as arthritis persist after the infection has been eliminated by antibiotics, prompting suggestions that Borrelia causes autoimmunity.
Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK)
Medullary Sponge Kidney is a benign congenital disorder characterized by dilatation of collecting tubules in 1 or more renal papillae, affecting 1 or both kidneys. Medullary sponge kidney is usually a benign condition, and patients can remain asymptomatic. Despite being a congenital disorder, medullary sponge kidney usually is not diagnosed until the second or third decade of life or later.
Meralgia Paresthesia
Meralgia Paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness, and burning pain in the outer part of your thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your thigh.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Caused by asbestos, mesothelioma has no known cure and has a very poor prognosis. Helpful Resources: Mesothelioma Pain and Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Migraine
Migraine causes intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in your arm or leg. Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. If treatment hasn’t worked for you in the past, talk to your doctor about trying a different migraine medication and/or a preventive. The right medicines, combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes, may make a tremendous difference.
Mitochondrial Disorders
Mitochondrial Disorders are a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders that arise as a result of dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. They can be caused by mutations of nuclear or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Some mitochondrial disorders only affect a single organ (e.g. the eye in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy [LHON]), but many involve multiple organ systems and often present with prominent neurologic and myopathic features. Mitochondrial disorders may present at any age. Many affected individuals display a cluster of clinical features that fall into a discrete clinical syndrome, such as the Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO), mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF), neurogenic weakness with ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP), or Leigh syndrome (LS). However, considerable clinical variability exists and many individuals do not fit neatly into one particular category.
Common clinical features of mitochondrial disease include ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, proximal myopathy, and exercise intolerance, cardiomyopathy, sensorineural deafness, optic atrophy, pigmentary retinopathy, and diabetes mellitus. Common central nervous system findings are fluctuating encephalopathy, seizures, dementia, migraine, stroke-like episodes, ataxia, and spasticity. A high incidence of mid and late pregnancy loss is a common occurrence that often goes unrecognized.
Common clinical features of mitochondrial disease include ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, proximal myopathy, and exercise intolerance, cardiomyopathy, sensorineural deafness, optic atrophy, pigmentary retinopathy, and diabetes mellitus. Common central nervous system findings are fluctuating encephalopathy, seizures, dementia, migraine, stroke-like episodes, ataxia, and spasticity. A high incidence of mid and late pregnancy loss is a common occurrence that often goes unrecognized.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially debilitating disease in which the body’s immune system eats away at the protective sheath (myelin) that covers the nerves. Damage to myelin causes interference in the communication between your brain, spinal cord, and other areas of your body. This condition may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves, a process that’s not reversible.
Symptoms vary widely, depending on the amount of damage and the nerves that are affected. People with severe cases of multiple sclerosis may lose the ability to walk or speak clearly. Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease because symptoms often come and go – sometimes disappearing for months. Multiple sclerosis has no cure. However, treatments may help treat MS attacks, manage symptoms, and reduce the progress of the disease.
Symptoms vary widely, depending on the amount of damage and the nerves that are affected. People with severe cases of multiple sclerosis may lose the ability to walk or speak clearly. Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease because symptoms often come and go – sometimes disappearing for months. Multiple sclerosis has no cure. However, treatments may help treat MS attacks, manage symptoms, and reduce the progress of the disease.
Musculoskeletal Pain
Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, along with the bones.
Myofascial Pain
Myofascial Pain syndrome is a chronic form of muscle pain. The pain of myofascial pain syndrome centers around sensitive points in your muscles called trigger points. The trigger points in your muscles can be painful when touched. And the pain can spread throughout the affected muscle.
Myositis
Myositis means inflammation of the muscles used to move the body. An injury, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause it. Two specific kinds are polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Polymyositis causes muscle weakness, usually in the muscles closest to the trunk of your body. Dermatomyositis causes muscle weakness, plus a skin rash. Other symptoms of myositis may include fatigue after walking or standing, rripping or falling, and trouble swallowing or breathing. Doctors may use a physical exam, lab tests, imaging tests and a muscle biopsy to diagnose myositis. There is no cure for these diseases, but you can treat the symptoms. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are first treated with high doses of a corticosteroid. Other options include medications, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy, assistive devices, and rest.
Neck Pain
Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain can be acute, meaning it lasts a few hours to a few weeks, or it can be chronic. Neck pain that lasts several weeks or longer is considered chronic neck pain. Most causes of neck pain are not serious. Poor posture at work, such as leaning into your computer, and during hobbies, such as hunching over your workbench, are common causes of neck pain. But sometimes neck pain can signify something more serious. If your neck pain is so severe that you can’t touch your chin to your chest despite a few days of self-care, seek immediate medical attention.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, is a type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves in the central nervous system become injured or damaged. It is a complex, chronic pain state that is usually accompanied by tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves might be damaged, dysfunctional, or injured. These damaged nerve fibers send incorrect signals to other pain centers. The impact of a nerve fiber injury includes a change in nerve function both at the site of injury and areas around the injury.
Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital Neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, usually on one side of the head. Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes. Their scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually affects the hands, knees, hips, or spine.
Paget’s Disease of Bone
Paget’s Disease of Bone, also known as osteitis deformans, causes bones to grow larger and weaker than normal. They also might break easily. The disease can lead to other health problems, too, such as arthritis and hearing loss. You can have Paget’s disease in any bone, but it is most common in the spine, pelvis, skull, and legs. The disease might affect one or several bones, but not your entire skeleton. More men than women have the disease. It is most common in older people.
Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN)
Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN) occurs in one-fourth of those with Type II Diabetes. PDPN is deteriorating the quality of life of many whom are not properly treated or remain undiagnosed. It is causing severe chronic pain in our communities. FIND OUR PDPN RESOURCES HERE!
The pain symptoms range from pricking, tingling, pins & needles, electric or shooting, hot or burning, numbness, itching or sensitivity to touch. It’s most common in the feet, which makes it highly disabling… reducing how active a person might be and causing a whirlwind of negative co-morbidities. These include other pain conditions, uncontrolled blood sugar, weight gain, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression. Indeed, pain escalates the complexity of managing diabetes. PDPN is cause by uncontrolled or long-standing diabetes. Despite causing severe Chronic Pain, as many as 12% of patients with PDPN do not report pain symptoms, and around 40% of those with PDPN fail to receive any treatment.
The pain symptoms range from pricking, tingling, pins & needles, electric or shooting, hot or burning, numbness, itching or sensitivity to touch. It’s most common in the feet, which makes it highly disabling… reducing how active a person might be and causing a whirlwind of negative co-morbidities. These include other pain conditions, uncontrolled blood sugar, weight gain, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression. Indeed, pain escalates the complexity of managing diabetes. PDPN is cause by uncontrolled or long-standing diabetes. Despite causing severe Chronic Pain, as many as 12% of patients with PDPN do not report pain symptoms, and around 40% of those with PDPN fail to receive any treatment.
Parsonage Turner Syndrome (PTS)
Parsonage Turner syndrome is an uncommon neurological disorder characterized by rapid onset of severe pain in the shoulder and arm. This acute phase may last for a few hours to a few weeks and is followed by wasting and weakness of the muscles (amyotrophy) in the affected areas. PTS involves mainly the brachial plexus, the networks of nerves that extend from the spine through the neck, into each armpit and down the arms. These nerves control movements and sensations in the shoulders, arms, elbows, hands, and wrists. The exact cause of PTS is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by an abnormality of the immune system (immune-mediated disorder). The severity of the disorder can vary widely from one individual to another due, in part, to the specific nerves involved. Affected individuals may recover without treatment, meaning that strength returns to the affected muscles and pain goes away. However, individuals may experience recurrent episodes. Some affected individuals may experience residual pain and potentially significant disability.
Pelvic Pain
Pain in the pelvic area that starts over a short period of time, anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. This type of pain is often a warning sign that something is wrong and should be evaluated promptly. Pelvic pain can be caused by an infection or inflammation. An infection doesn’t have to affect the reproductive organs to cause pelvic pain. Pain caused by the bladder, bowel, or appendix can produce pain in the pelvic region; diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney or bladder stones, as well as muscle spasms or strains are some examples of non-reproductive causes of pelvic or lower abdominal pain. Other causes of pelvic pain can include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), vaginal infections, vaginitis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). All of these require a visit to your healthcare provider who will take a medical history, and do a physical exam which may include diagnostic testing.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy causes pain and numbness in your hands and feet and is often caused by diabetes. The pain typically is described as tingling or burning, while the loss of sensation often is compared to the feeling of wearing a thin stocking or glove. Peripheral neuropathy can also result from such problems as traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems and exposure to toxins. In many cases, peripheral neuropathy symptoms improve with time – especially if it’s caused by an underlying condition that can be resolved. Medications initially designed to treat other conditions, such as epilepsy and depression, are often used to reduce the painful symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
Phantom Limb Pain
Phantom Limb Pain is felt in the area where a limb has been amputated. Phantom limb pain can be mild to extremely painful. In some cases, phantom limb pain can be disabling and can lead to a lifelong struggle with chronic pain. Phantom limb sensations usually will disappear or decrease over time. When phantom limb pain continues for more than six months, the prognosis for spontaneous improvement is poor.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues – such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s function and can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys. Cysts are noncancerous round sacs containing water-like fluid. The cysts vary in size and, as they accumulate more fluid, they can grow very large. Although kidneys usually are the most severely affected organs, polycystic kidney disease can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body. The disease causes a variety of serious complications.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, primarily in your neck, shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs. Symptoms usually begin quickly over a few days. It causes muscle pain and stiffness in your neck, shoulders and hips. It is most common in women and most people who develop this condition are older than 65. It rarely affects people younger than 50. The main symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica is stiffness after resting. Other symptoms include fever, weakness, and weight loss. In some cases, polymyalgia rheumatica develops overnight. In others, it is gradual. Polymyalgia rheumatica is related to and may coexist with another inflammatory disorder called giant cell arteritis, which can cause headaches, visual impairment, jaw pain and other symptoms.Doctors often prescribe a medicine called prednisone for both conditions. Polymyalgia rheumatic usually responds to treatment. Without treatment, it usually goes away after a year or more. Untreated, giant cell arteritis carries a small risk of blindness or stroke.
Polymyositis
Polymyositis is a persistent inflammatory muscle disease that causes weakness of the skeletal muscles, which control movement. Medically, polymyositis is classified as a chronic inflammatory myopathy – one of only three such diseases. This condtition can occur at any age, but it mostly affects adults in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. It’s more common in blacks than in whites, and women are affected more often than men are. Polymyositis signs and symptoms usually develop gradually, over weeks or months. Remissions, periods during which symptoms spontaneously disappear, are rare in polymyositis. However, treatment can improve your muscle strength and function.
Porphyria
Porphyria refers to a group of disorders that result from a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in your body. Porphyrins are essential for the function of hemoglobin – a protein in your red blood cells that links to porphyrin, binds iron, and carries oxygen to your organs and tissue. High levels of porphyrins can cause significant problems. Porphyria mainly affects your nervous system, skin, and other organs. The signs and symptoms of porphyria can vary, depending on the specific type and severity. Porphyria is usually inherited when one or both parents pass along an abnormal gene to their child. But in some types of porphyria, environmental factors may trigger the development of symptoms. Treatment depends on the type of porphyria you have. Although porphyria usually can’t be cured, certain lifestyle changes may help you manage it.
Post Herniorraphy Pain Syndrome
Post Herniorraphy Pain syndrome refers to chronic or persistent postoperative pain after inguinal hernia surgery. Many patients have some prolonged post-operative discomfort after any surgery, which may last for several months before resolving. Approximately 3-5% of such patients may develop chronic or persistent pain in the region of a surgical incision. This can be especially bothersome after inguinal hernia repair. Post Herniorraphy Pain syndrome can develop from a variety of causes. Often, only with an examination by a surgeon or Hernia Specialist, can the exact cause be identified. Even then, the exact cause may not be identifiable.
Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome (PMPS)
Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome is a type of chronic postoperative pain. PMPS is pain that persists after a mastectomy or other type of breast surgery is performed. Procedures that may lead to post mastectomy pain include total mastectomy, partial mastectomy, lumpectomy, and even breast reconstruction. Post-mastectomy pain is often neuropathic, meaning it is usually caused by nerve damage. Most researchers assume post mastectomy pain is caused by damage to the nerves in the breast and underarm area, or the development of a neuroma (an abnormal nerve tissue growth). Another possible cause of post-mastectomy pain under investigation is the formation of a hematoma during surgery.
Post Stroke Pain
Pain that follows a stroke is termed post stroke pain. Stroke (a cerebrovascular accident, or CVA) is the leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Most strokes do not cause pain, only numbness. However, sometimes this numbness is accompanied by a deep burning, pins and needles sensation and often by muscle contraction.
Post Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome
Severe and incapacitating chronic pain experienced after a thoracotomy is known as Post Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome. Other Post Thoracotomy complications can include respiratory failure due to splinting and the inability to clear secretions by effective coughing, with resulting pneumonia.
Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS)
Post-Polio Syndrome is a condition that affects polio survivors anywhere from 10 to 40 years after recovery from an initial paralytic attack of the poliomyelitis virus. PPS is characterized by a further weakening of muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. The most common symptoms include slowly progressive muscle weakness, fatigue (both general and muscular), and a decrease in muscle size (muscular atrophy). Pain from joint deterioration and increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis are common. Some individuals experience only minor symptoms, while others develop more visible muscle weakness and atrophy. PPS is rarely life-threatening but the symptoms can interfere significantly with the individual’s capacity to function independently. While polio is contagious, PPS is not transmissible. Polio was once one of the most feared diseases in America, responsible for paralysis and death. Shortly after polio reached its peak in the early 1950s, the inactivated polio vaccine was introduced and greatly reduced polio’s spread. Today, few people in developed countries get paralytic polio, thanks to the polio vaccine. According to some studies, however, up to half the people who had polio at a young age may experience certain effects of the disease many years later – post-polio syndrome.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a real illness that can occur after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, rape, physical abuse, or a bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you.
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Postherpetic Neuralgia is a painful condition affecting your nerve fibers and skin. Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles, a second outbreak of the varicella-zoster virus, which initially causes chickenpox.
Postsurgical Pain
Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is an unwanted adverse event in any operation. It leads to functional limitations and psychological trauma for patients, and leaves the operative team with feelings of failure. It is crucial that preventive strategies for CPSP are considered in high-risk operations.
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)
Primary lateral sclerosis is a rare neuromuscular disease with slowly progressive weakness in voluntary muscle movement. PLS belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases. PLS affects the upper motor neurons (also called corticospinal neurons) in the arms, legs, and face. It occurs when nerve cells in the motor regions of the cerebral cortex (the thin layer of cells covering the brain which is responsible for most higher level mental functions) gradually degenerate, causing movements to be slow and effortful. The disorder often affects the legs first, followed by the body, trunk, arms and hands, and, finally the bulbar muscles (muscles that control speech, swallowing, and chewing). Symptoms include weakness, muscle stiffness and spasticity, clumsiness, slowing of movement, and problems with balance and speech. PLS is more common in men than in women, with a varied gradual onset that generally occurs between ages 40 and 60. PLS progresses gradually over a number of years, or even decades. Scientists do not believe PLS has a simple hereditary cause. The diagnosis of PLS requires extensive testing to exclude other diseases. When symptoms begin, PLS may be mistaken for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spastic paraplegia. Most neurologists follow an affected individual’s clinical course for at least 3 to 4 years before making a diagnosis of PLS.
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)
Primary lateral sclerosis is a rare neuromuscular disease with slowly progressive weakness in voluntary muscle movement. PLS belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases. PLS affects the upper motor neurons (also called corticospinal neurons) in the arms, legs, and face. It occurs when nerve cells in the motor regions of the cerebral cortex (the thin layer of cells covering the brain which is responsible for most higher level mental functions) gradually degenerate, causing movements to be slow and effortful. The disorder often affects the legs first, followed by the body, trunk, arms and hands, and, finally the bulbar muscles (muscles that control speech, swallowing, and chewing). Symptoms include weakness, muscle stiffness and spasticity, clumsiness, slowing of movement, and problems with balance and speech. PLS is more common in men than in women, with a varied gradual onset that generally occurs between ages 40 and 60. PLS progresses gradually over a number of years, or even decades. Scientists do not believe PLS has a simple hereditary cause. The diagnosis of PLS requires extensive testing to exclude other diseases. When symptoms begin, PLS may be mistaken for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spastic paraplegia. Most neurologists follow an affected individual’s clinical course for at least 3 to 4 years before making a diagnosis of PLS.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis – a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Most people develop psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but joint problems can sometimes begin before skin lesions appear. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They can affect any part of your body, including your fingertips and spine, and can range from relatively mild to severe. In both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, disease flares may alternate with periods of remission. No cure for psoriatic arthritis exists, so the focus is on controlling symptoms and preventing damage to your joints. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis may be disabling.
Pudendal Neuralgia
Pudendal neuralgia is a rare problem with the pudendal nerve that can affect both men and women. The pudendal nerve runs through your pelvic region, including your genitals, urethra, anus, and perineum. Your perineum is the area between your anus and genitals. Pudendal neuralgia can cause pain, especially when you sit. Men with pudendal neuralgia may have pain in the buttocks, scrotum, penis, and perineum. Women with pudendal neuralgia may have pain in their buttocks, vulva, urethra, and perineum. The condition is also known as pudendal neuropathy, pudendal nerve entrapment, cyclist’s syndrome, pudendal canal syndrome, or Alcock’s syndrome.
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is a condition caused by a compressed nerve in the spine that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the course of the nerve. Radiculopathy can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (lumbar radiculopathy) and in the neck (cervical radiculopathy).
Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s Disease is a condition that causes some areas of your body – such as your fingers, toes, tip of your nose, and your ears – to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress. In Raynaud’s Disease, arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow, limiting blood circulation to affected areas.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, Restless Legs Syndrome causes a powerful urge to move your legs. Your legs become uncomfortable when you are lying down or sitting. Some people describe it as a creeping, crawling, tingling, or burning sensation. Moving makes your legs feel better, but not for long.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of your joints (synovium) causing swelling that can result in aching and throbbing and eventually deformity. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis symptoms make even the simplest activities difficult to manage.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
A dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint, or SI joint, causing low back and/or leg pain. The leg pain can be particularly difficult and may feel similar to sciatica or pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells in different parts of your body, most commonly in the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, and skin. Doctors believe sarcoidosis results from the body’s immune system responding to an unknown substance, most likely something inhaled from the air. There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but most people do very well with modest treatment. Sarcoidosis often goes away on its own. Alternatively, signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis may last for years and sometimes lead to organ damage.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a term used to describe a set of symptoms caused by an underlying medical condition; it is not a medical diagnosis. Sciatica refers to leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg.
Shingles
Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is a viral infection of the nerve roots. It causes pain and often causes a rash on one side of the body. The rash appears in a band, a strip, or a small area. Shingles is a second outbreak of the varicella-zoster virus, which initially causes chickenpox. During an initial infection of chickenpox, some of the virus remains in your body, lying dormant inside nerve cells. Years later, the virus may reactivate, causing shingles. The condition is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. It can lead to complication like postherpetic neuralgia, however, most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
SCD is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. “Sickle-shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They move easily through your blood vessels. Red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin. This protein carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. Sickle hemoglobin causes the cells to develop a sickle, or crescent, shape. Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage. Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD).
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms – dry eyes and a dry mouth. Sjogren’s syndrome often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
In Sjogren’s syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first, resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren’s syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, which often subside with time.
In Sjogren’s syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first, resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren’s syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, which often subside with time.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can be serious. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. That means you are unable to get enough air through your mouth and nose into your lungs. When that happens, the amount of oxygen in your blood may drop. Normal breaths resume with a snort or choking sound. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you can be drowsy during the day. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for car crashes, work-related accidents, and other medical problems. If you have it, it is important to get treatment.
Spasmodic Torticollis
Spasmodic torticollis, also called cervical dystonia, is a painful condition in which your neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing your head to twist or turn to one side. Cervical dystonia can also cause your head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward. A rare disorder that can occur at any age, even infancy, spasmodic torticollis most often occurs in middle-aged people, women more than men. Symptoms generally begin gradually and then reach a point where they don’t get substantially worse.
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction refers to structural disorders involving the billiary sphinceter that may result in impedance of bile and pancreatic juice flow. Up to 20% of patients with continued pain after cholecystectomy and 10-20% of patients with idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis may suffer from Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. This condition is more prevalent among middle-aged women for unclear reasons.
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of injury when displaced bone fragments, disc material, or ligaments bruise or tear into spinal cord tissue. Most spinal cord injury causes permanent disability or loss of movement (paralysis) and sensation below the site of the injury. Paralysis that involves the majority of the body, including the arms and legs, is called quadriplegia or tetraplegia. When a spinal cord injury affects only the lower body, the condition is called paraplegia.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs when there is a narrowing of the spinal canal. This can cause spinal cord or nerve pinching which can lead to persistent pain in the buttocks, limping, lack of feeling in the lower extremities, and decreased physical activity.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA)
Spinocerebellar Ataxia can occur when parts of the nervous system that control movement are damaged. People with ataxia experience a failure of muscle control in their arms and legs, resulting in a lack of balance and coordination or a disturbance of gait. While the term ataxia is primarily used to describe this set of symptoms, it is sometimes also used to refer to a family of disorders. It is not, however, a specific diagnosis.
Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a rare disorder that causes a cyst to form in your spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, gets bigger and longer over time, destroying part of the spinal cord. Damage to the spinal cord from the syrinx can cause symptoms such as pain and weakness in the back, shoulders, arms or legs, headaches, inability to feel hot or cold.
Tarlov Cysts
Tarlov cysts are sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid that most often affect nerve roots in the sacrum, the group of bones at the base of the spine. These cysts (also known as meningeal or perineural cysts) can compress nerve roots, causing lower back pain, sciatica, urinary incontinence, headaches (due to changes in cerebrospinal fluid pressure), constipation, sexual dysfunction, and some loss of feeling or control of movement in the leg and/or foot. Pressure on the nerves next to the cysts can also cause pain and deterioration of the surrounding bone. Tarlov cysts can be diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, it is estimated that the majority of the cysts observed by MRI cause no symptoms. Tarlov cysts may become symptomatic following shock, trauma, or exertion that causes the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. Women are at much higher risk of developing these cysts than are men.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) refers to a complex and poorly understood set of conditions that can cause pain in the area of the jaw joint and associated muscles and/or problems using the jaw. Both or just one of the TM joints may be affected. TMJDs can affect a person’s ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, make facial expressions, and even breathe.
Tethered Cord Syndrome
Tethered Cord Syndrome is a stretch-induced functional disorder associated with the fixation (tethering) effect of inelastic tissue on the caudal spinal cord, limiting its movement. This abnormal attachment is associated with progressive stretching and increased tension of the spinal cord as a child ages, potentially resulting in a variety of neurological and other symptoms.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
Thoracic outlet syndrome consists of a group of distinct disorders involving compression at the superior thoracic outlet that affect the brachial plexus (nerves that pass into the arms from the neck), and/or the subclavian artery and vein (blood vessels that pass between the chest and upper extremity).
Transverse Myelitis
Transverse Myelitis is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across both sides of one level, or segment, of the spinal cord. The term myelitis refers to inflammation of the spinal cord; transverse simply describes the position of the inflammation, that is, across the width of the spinal cord. Attacks of inflammation can damage or destroy myelin, the fatty insulating substance that covers nerve cell fibers. This damage causes nervous system scars that interrupt communications between the nerves in the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia, or tic douloureux, is a neuropathic disorder of the trigeminal nerve in the face. It causes episodes of intense pain in any or all of the following: the ear, eye, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, teeth or jaw on one side of the face.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. Symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly. Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes can lead to life-threatening complications. While it has no known cure, treatment can greatly reduce signs and symptoms of the disease and even bring about long-term remission.
Vascular Pain
Vascular Pain is caused by the dilation or constriction of blood vessels. Dilating (enlarging) the blood vessels in the head causes pain when the vessels exert pressure on surrounding nerves. Constructing (narrowing) the blood vessels reduces the supply of blood to the brain. The tissue around the blood vessels may become inflamed, and chemical irritants build up in the area.
Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain without an identifiable cause. The location, constancy, and severity of the pain vary among sufferers. Some women experience pain in only one area of the vulva, while others experience pain in multiple areas. The most commonly reported symptom is burning, but women’s descriptions of the pain vary.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury caused by the neck and head being thrown suddenly backward then forward upon impact. The impact forces the neck and head beyond their normal range of movement, causing tissue damage and pain.