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Arm pain is generally not a sign of a serious problem, especially when it is mild and appears gradually, being in most cases related to changes in muscles or tendons, due to excessive exercise or injury.
To be able to identify what is causing the symptom, one must observe when the pain in the arm appeared, its intensity and if it improves or worsens with rest. If the pain is very severe, comes on suddenly or is accompanied by other more serious symptoms, such as dizziness or shortness of breath, it is important to go to the hospital or see a doctor.
The following are 10 of the most common causes of arm pain:
1. Muscle strain
The signs and symptoms of a muscle strain in the arm are localized pain over the muscle, which usually arises after a fall, stroke, or exertion at the gym. The region may still spin a little swollen, but this is not always noticeable.
What to do: during the first 48 hours it may be useful to put a cold compress on the site of the pain, and after this period it is more appropriate to place a warm compress, for 20 minutes, 1 or 2 times a day. Applying an anti-inflammatory ointment like Diclofenac can also help. Find out more details on how you can treat a muscle strain.
2. Tendonitis
Arm pain can also be a sign of tendonitis, a situation that mainly affects teachers, servants, painters or people who have a profession in which they need to raise their arms several times a day or making very repetitive movements.
However, tendonitis can also affect people who do weight training or who fell and hit their shoulder or elbow on the floor, for example. The pain may be located closer to the elbow or shoulder, but it is also common for it to radiate down the arm.
What to do: placing a cold compress, with crushed ice, is a good option to fight pain. Physiotherapy is also a good option for persistent pain, which lasts for more than 1 month. Check out the main treatment options for tendonitis.
3. Panic attack / anxiety crisis
During an anxiety attack or panic attack, symptoms such as agitation, heart palpitation, chest pain, feeling hot, sweating, shortness of breath and a strange feeling in the arm are possible. In addition, in a panic crisis the person may still not be able to leave the house, avoiding contact with other people and preferring to be alone in the room.
What to do: in a panic or anxiety crisis it is important to try to take a deep breath, keep calm and, if necessary, stay crouched to feel more protected. See what else you can do to deal with a panic attack.
4. Rotator cuff injury
The pain in the arm that is located closer to the shoulder region can be a sign of injury to the rotator cuff, which happens when there is an injury in the structures that help stabilize the shoulder, causing pain, in addition to difficulty or weakness to raise the arm .
What to do: it is recommended to rest, apply ice and do physiotherapy sessions, and the orthopedist may also indicate the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ketoprofen, to relieve pain or, in cases where there is no improvement, can surgical treatment is necessary. Learn more about the rotator cuff.
5. Shoulder dislocation
When there is severe pain in the shoulder that radiates to the arm, it can be a sign of shoulder dislocation, which happens when the bone manages to move out of its natural position in the shoulder joint. This type of injury is more common in people who do sports like swimming, basketball or swimming, but it can also happen after an accident or when lifting a very heavy object incorrectly, for example.
In addition to the pain, it is also normal for the person to have a decrease in the movements they can make with the affected arm.
What to do: It is important to see a doctor so that the arm is returned to its natural position. In some cases, the arm may return to its position naturally, and in these cases, to relieve pain, you can take a warm bath and apply an ointment such as Diclofenac on the shoulder and arm. Learn how to identify and treat shoulder dislocation.
6. Arthrosis
Arthrosis is another of the most common causes of pain in the arm, especially after 45 years of age, and arises when performing large movements involving the shoulder or elbow. This type of pain can last for a few hours, and there may be a feeling of sand in the joint or crackling during movements.
What to do: Treatment for osteoarthritis is done with the use of pain relieving drugs, which should be recommended by the orthopedist, and physical therapy sessions to improve joint mobility. Treatment is usually time-consuming and, depending on the case, surgery may be necessary. Better understand what arthrosis is and how treatment is done.
7. Heart attack
Although it is more rare, pain in the arm can also be a sign of a heart attack. This is because, in infarction, it is common for the pain that arises in the chest to end up radiating to the arm, causing a feeling of heaviness, in addition to tingling, especially in the left arm.
In addition, the infarction is accompanied by other characteristic symptoms such as a feeling of tightness in the chest, poor digestion and discomfort in the throat. See the top 10 heart attack symptoms.
What to do: whenever a heart attack is suspected, it is very important to go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
8. Angina
Another cardiac condition that can be associated with pain in the arm is angina pectoris, however, in angina, usually the pain that appears in the chest is less intense.
Angina is more common in people who have some kind of circulatory disorder, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure or diabetes, and arises because the arteries of the heart are affected and the blood cannot pass easily, causing pain in the heart muscle. Pain related to angina can arise after strong emotions or make some effort, for example.
What to do: if there is a suspicion of angina it is important to go to the emergency room or consult a cardiologist, to confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment. The doctor may recommend the use of drugs to improve blood flow through the arteries of the heart, such as dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate. Find out more details of the treatment for the different types of angina.
9. Adhesive capsulitis
In adhesive capsulitis it is common for the person to be unable to move the shoulder well, which seems to be 'frozen' and the pain radiates to the arm, being more intense at night. This alteration can appear suddenly, during sleep, and seems to be related to psychological disorders. There may still be pain in the shoulder and the symptoms tend to persist for several months, compromising daily tasks, such as dressing or combing hair.
What to do: it is recommended to do physiotherapy sessions with kinesiotherapy exercises and clinical pilates, in addition to passive mobilization techniques. Better understand what adhesive capsulitis is and how to treat it.
10. Osteoporosis
When pain in the arms appears to be located in the bones and is accompanied by pain in other bone locations, such as the legs, it can be a sign of osteoporosis. This type of pain can be present even when at rest, being more common in people over 50, especially in menopausal women.
What to do: treatment should be done with increased intake of foods rich in calcium and with drugs that supplement calcium and vitamin D, for example. See more tips in this video:
When to go to the doctor
Although in most cases arm pain is not a sign of any serious problem, it is important to go to the hospital when:
- Suspecting a heart attack or angina pectoris;
- If the pain in the arm appears suddenly and is very severe;
- When the pain gets worse with the effort;
- If you notice any deformity in the arm;
- If the pain is getting worse over time.
If fever is present, it is still possible that the pain in the arm is being caused by some type of infection, and it is necessary to perform tests at the hospital to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.