Archive for May 2009

Pain in Shoulder – How to Cure This


As people are subjected to various stressful activities everyday, it is not surprising how, at the end of the day, muscle pains and other stress related discomforts may be experienced. These stressful activities however may also include pain, persistent or not, in the shoulder area of the body. Specifically, one may suffer pain in the left shoulder blade area. A number of causes may account for such conditions. But before we proceed our exposition as to what may cause pain in the left shoulder blade, let us first identify which part of the body exactly do we refer to when we say “shoulder blade.”

The shoulder blade, which is also known as the scapula, is the part of the human body – specifically, a bony structure – which connects the upper arm to the chest wall. It may also form part of the joint socket connecting the upper arm to the body. This bony structure is surrounded by tendons, muscles and tissues which function as cushion for the shoulder blade. This cushion allows the arms and the shoulders to move smoothly.

Pain in left shoulder blade may be caused by some inflammation of the tendons or sinews in the left part of the shoulder blade. Strained and overworked muscles or torn tissues in the part of the left shoulder blade may also account for moderate to acute pain in left shoulder blade. If the large muscle called the trapezius becomes spastic in the left shoulder blade area, then one will feel pain in the left part of his shoulder blade. Spastic muscles may be due to trauma or overuse.

However, not all instances of pain in the left shoulder blade can be categorized as conditions resulting from strained muscles or tendons. One may feel pain in left shoulder blade although there really is nothing wrong in that particular region of the body. Rather, the pain felt may be pain transmitted from another part or organ of the body. It is a signal that another organ is in pain and is in need of immediate attention. This process of pain being transmitted from one organ to the left shoulder blade area is called referred pain. Radiated pain to the left shoulder area may actually indicate medical problems in the other parts of the body. Therefore, these radiated pains from the other organs of the body may properly be the cause of pain in left shoulder blade.

What all these imply is that the pain felt in specific areas of the shoulder blade may be indicative of which organ may have been affected and have been radiating the pain. Left shoulder blade pain may be a signal of some abdominal or stomach-related problems. This may include ulcers, pancreatic, and ectopic pregnancy among others. Pain in left shoulder blade may also indicate problems in the chest region. These problems would include pneumonia, heart attack and/or other heart-related ailments, aortic dissection, pleuritis etc. Although pain in left shoulder blade may just be caused by some strained muscles and tendons, it may also indicate diseases or pain radiated form the other organs of the body. To be safe, it is always prudent that when symptoms arise, one goes to consult with a physician to get proper diagnosis and medication.



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Low Back Pain Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Low Back Pain


Low back pain

Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing back pain in the lumbar vertebrae. It can be either acute, sub acute or chronic in its clinical presentation. Typically, the symptoms of low back pain do show significant improvement within two to three months from its onset. In a significant number of individuals, low back pain tends to be recurrent in nature with a waxing and waning quality to it

Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. It comes in many forms, from lower back pain to neck pain to sciatica. Back pain is not a diagnosis — it’s a symptom of an underlying condition.

Causes of  Low Back Pain

Anyone who has ever suffered from a bad back will know how much pain and discomfort can be exacerbated by a poor mattress, but it is not just those with existing back complaints who can benefit from a good mattress; back pain may actually be preventable by investing in a good quality mattress and bed.

Muscle strains are the most common cause of low back pain. Patients may or may not remember the initial event that triggered their muscle spasm

Some of the more common causes of lower back pain are:

Sudden injury to the back such as may occur in an auto accident, fall, sports, or other manner.

Stress to the muscles, nerves, or ligaments in the lower back.

Symptoms of  Low Back Pain

Low back pain means a pain or ache somewhere between the bottom of the ribs, at the back, and the top of the legs. The pain often begins suddenly, and may follow an obvious strain or injury, but may seem to come on “out of the blue”, or come on slowly.

Symptoms in the low back can be a result of problems in the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area. Pains in the upper back can also be a result of disorders of the aorta, chest tumors, and inflammation of spine.

Treatment of  Low Back Pain

Sleeping with a pillow between the knees while lying on one side may increase comfort. Some doctors recommend lying on your back with a pillow under your knees.

Stay active – It’s important to return to your normal level of physical activity as soon as possible. Staying active will help your back to get better, and reduces your risk of getting simple back pain again.

Stay positive – remember that back pain usually goes away quickly.

Safely issues – Many CAM treatments are believed to be safer and to have less side effects than conventional treatments, especially pharmaceutical treatments. But side effects are often only discovered after very large extensive studies have been done or even after they have gone to market. A CAM treatment may have not been studied extensively enough to uncover potential safely issues.

It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of spinal surgery with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician’s judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.



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Chest Pain – When Is It Not Serious?


You have heard that chest pain can be serious. It can signal a heart attack. It might be a rare, life-threatening problem. But it could be quite the opposite. It could be not at all serious.



When is chest pain not serious?



It is wise to learn when chest pain is not serious. You will want to check your symptoms with a licensed professional, but here are 7 examples of chest pain that is probably not immediately serious.

1. Acid reflux or heartburn: Chest pain can seem to be heart pain when it is related to the digestive tract. When acid refluxes (flows back) into the esophagus, it can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This chest pain can be mistaken for heart pain – the reason it was named as it was, even though it has nothing to do with the heart. This chest pain is not serious if it is occasional. If it happens frequently, you may be developing GERD, a more serious condition. To determine if this chest pain is serious, consider whether it came soon after eating. Try using an antacid. If the discomfort is relieved, it is probably heartburn.

2. Bruising: Chest pain can occur due to bruising of the outer chest. Perhaps you were moving furniture or other large objects. At the time, you didn’t realize you had hurt yourself. Later, you experience chest pain, but it is not serious.



3. Nerves: When is chest pain not serious? The roots of every nerve in the body are in the spinal cord. Smaller nerves branch from them along the neck and upper back. Chest pain can occur if one of these nerves is pinched where it leaves the spine. Chest pains caused by pinched nerves are sharp “shooting” pains. They may be triggered by moving your neck or arms in certain ways. They may be felt in the left or right part of the chest. These are not immediately serious chest pains.

4. Rib Injury: Chest pain can be caused by a bruised or fractured rib. This chest pain will be localized, right or left side, near a rib. It will be a sharp pain, and may increase when the rib area is touched. This chest pain is likely to increase when coughing.



5. Strains/sprains: When it is a result of a strain or sprain to one of the many muscles, bones, tendons, and cartilages in the chest, chest pain is probably not serious. These chest pains last for only a few seconds. They may return frequently over a period of days, and may be brought on, or relieved, by moving into certain positions. They are non-cardiac symptoms.

6. Stress: When is chest pain not serious? When it is caused by stress, your chest pain is not serious. As you respond to unusual demands on your body, emotions, or mind, you may tighten the muscles of the chest. This causes chest pain. With the pain, you may experience intense fear. Your heartbeat may increase, your breathing become rapid. You may perspire profusely and feel shortness of breath. This could be an anxiety or panic attack.

7. Ulcers: Another form of chest pain that is triggered by a digestive tract problem is the pain of an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum. This chest pain, like the pain of acid reflux or heartburn, is often felt in the upper abdomen or lower chest. As above, ask whether it was triggered by eating. Try getting relief with antacids. Although ulcer chest pains are not immediately serious, you should seek medical advice.

The Other Side of the Coin

Asking, when is chest pain not serious, should be followed by asking the opposite question: when is chest pain serious?

Chest pain can be caused by heart attack, probably the most life-threatening condition. Other heart conditions can also cause chest pain, and should receive medical attention.

Pleurisy, with its sharp, localized chest pain, is made worse when you cough or breathe in. Pleurisy is caused by inflammation of the membrane lining the chest cavity and covering the lungs. A blood clot can lodge in a lung artery, blocking blood flow to the tissue of the lungs. This condition, a pulmonary embolism, is similar to pleurisy in that the localized chest pain is made worse by a cough or deep breath. Other lung conditions can also cause chest pain.



Shingles, a nerve infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, often causes chest pain. This is a sharp, burning pain. It may begin a few hours or a day before a band of blisters appears on your back and chest.

Err on the Side of Caution

If you cannot find an explanation for your chest pain, and it persists, take an aspirin and seek emergency medical care. If your pains feel like pressure or tightness in your chest, do you have these other symptoms?

1. shortness of breath

2. sweating

3. nausea

4. dizziness

5. pain radiating to one or both arms or neck

If your chest pain includes any of those symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Do not worry about what people will think if your chest pain is not serious. Chest pain is one of the most frequent reasons people call for emergency medical help. Often that chest pain is not related to a heart problem. You may be embarrassed if that happens to you. Don’t be. Even if your chest pain is not serious, it is better to go to the emergency room for evaluation.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and offers the information in this article for educational purposes only. Please discuss it with your health care provider before relying on it in any way.



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