Pain: A warning signal you should never ignore

Oct 22, 2003

DO you know that physical pain means something has gone wrong in your body? It is a signal to call your attention to the problem

By Grace Canada

DO you know that physical pain means something has gone wrong in your body? It is a signal to call your attention to the problem. However, we often ignore the signal believing it will just go away. Well, it may or may not. It is advisable to pay attention to pain signals because the problem could be more serious than you think.

Let us look at neck pain. Neck pains have various causes. Most common being tension. However, in some cases, neck pain or a stiff neck maybe symptoms of a serious decease. These are the various types of neck pains and possible causes:

Neck pain after long periods of sitting or lying down in bed –– caused by tense muscles.

What to do:
  • Massage your neck l Take small breaks
  • Get up and stretch. Check your sitting position and improve it if possible

    Neck pain after exposure to drafts. Possible causes are tension brought about in the next muscles by cold temperature and incubation of a viral cold

    What to do about it:
  • Keep the neck warm with a scarf. l Massage the neck
  • If pain persists after three days, see a doctor.

    Much anxiety, stress and emotional pressure can cause some neck pain.

    What to do about it:
  • Talk to a trusted friend, try to dissolve the disturbing issues or problems.

    Sudden neck pain; stiff or tilted neck. Possible causes are Muscle tension

    What to do about it:
  • Lie down and apply warm compressions. If pain does not subside after a few days, see a doctor.

    Neck pain that is more pronounced in the mornings with headache localised at temples, shoulder and pelvic and blurring eye sight. Possible causes are Connective tissue disorder of muscles or blood vessel disorder

    What to do about it:
  • See a doctor immediately

    Neck pain worsening overtime with pain, weaknesses or sensitivity to touch in the arms and a stiff neck. Possible causes are vertebral damage

    What to do
  • See a doctor immediately

    Neck pain may be worse by bending head forward with fever, confusion, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, severe headache and exhaustion. Meningitis could be the possible cause. See a doctor immediately.

    Paying attention to pain and getting treatment on time can make a difference between life and death.
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