Many of us are familiar with the feeling of pain in the arms or legs. For some, this problem occurs rarely, while others suffer from unbearable pain all the time. In any case, pain in both the arms and legs, if this is not an isolated case, signals problems in the body. And there are a lot of reasons for such malaise.
Pain disrupts the usual rhythm of life, we experience discomfort. The limbs can hurt on their own, but sometimes pain in both the arms and legs can manifest itself as a result of malfunctions in other organs. These pains are called radiating.
Pain radiating to the legs
Sometimes, turning to a doctor with a complaint of pain in the legs, a person hears a completely unexpected diagnosis. There are a number of pathologies of the internal organs, in which pain can spread to other parts of the body, including the lower limbs. For example, if stones are present in the urinary tract, the pain may radiate to the upper thigh. Soreness of the front of the thighs can be a sign of diseases such as sarcoma, lymphoma, carcinoma. Besides,pain in the legs can be felt with diseases of the spine, chronic prostatitis and in the last months of pregnancy.
Pain radiating to arms
Painful sensations that radiate to the hands may be the result of heart disease, intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, ulcers or perforated ulcers of the stomach, diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems. The pain may be felt in one or both hands.
Diseases that provoke pain
The most common diseases that provoke pain in the arms, legs, back are arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism. In addition, the cause of pain are fractures, bruises and other injuries, vascular disease, paralysis, neuritis, skin diseases, cerebral palsy.
Myofascial pain
This is a condition in which there is a spasm in the muscles. Pain is caused by the appearance of specific points (trigger points) in the muscles. When pressed on them, severe pain is felt. Almost everyone has experienced such a problem throughout their lives.
The causes that contribute to the occurrence of such pain are kyphosis, flat feet, sprains, muscle overload, nervous strain, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, immobilization after injuries, hypothermia of the muscles. All these conditions lead to the occurrence of microtraumas in the muscles, as a result of which a trigger point appears in them, which causes pain. Pain can be mild or very intense. Muscles weaken, but notatrophy. Pain in the arms and legs also occurs with myositis. In acute purulent myositis, the pain is very strong, the affected area swells. The patient's body temperature rises, weakness and chills appear, changes in the blood indicate inflammation.
In non-purulent myositis, pain may be the only symptom. At the same time, muscle weakness is not pronounced.
Myositis, caused by autoimmune diseases, is characterized by increasing muscle weakness and moderate pain. As a consequence of injuries, a special type of myositis occurs, in which compounds are deposited in the connective tissues calcium.
Phantom pains
Phantom pain in both arms and legs has several properties:
- A person experiences pain even after healing of damaged tissues. For some, the pain goes away, while others feel them for decades, even after the final healing of the damage. Sometimes the pain is similar to those that preceded the amputation. The trigger zone can occur on a he althy area on the same or opposite side of the body. Careful touching of a he althy limb can cause severe pain in the phantom part of the body.
- By reducing somatic impulses, a lasting relief can be achieved. The introduction of anesthetic drugs into sensitive areas or nerves of the stump stops pain for a long time and even forever, although the effect lasts only a few hours.- Long-term reduction in pain may also be due to increasedsensory impulses. The introduction of a hypertonic solution into certain areas causes pain that radiates to the phantom part of the body and lasts about ten minutes. Then the pain disappears partially or completely for several hours, days or forever. The method of vibration stimulation, electrical stimulation of the muscles of the stump also helps to improve the patient's condition.
Smoking cessation and pain
A person who decides to quit smoking develops pain in the arms and legs as a smoking cessation syndrome. In addition to pain in muscles and joints, a person’s immunity decreases, blood pressure jumps, anxiety, depression, appetite increases, problems with falling asleep, neurosis, headaches, and cough appear. The body does not receive the usual dose of nicotine, this is stressful for him.
Pain in children
Pain in both hands and feet in a child, which is episodic, often associated with unusual load, minor injuries and muscle strain. If your child experiences pain in the limbs after playing sports, it may be necessary to reduce their level of physical activity. Such complaints do not require a visit to a specialist; a cold compress, a tablet of paracetamol or ibuprofen will help alleviate the condition. Pain in the arms and legs of a child during a period of intensive development may be a sign of the so-called "growing pains". They occur mostly at night and go away without treatment. A dry warm compress will help relieve the condition.
If the pain is accompanied by fever, cough and runny nose, sore throat, then most likely the cause of this condition is a cold.
When to see a doctor
- The painful joint is red and hot to the touch, the child has a high fever. These symptoms are characteristic of rheumatic diseases.
- If severe pain occurs in a particular area, the skin around that area is swollen and hot. It is necessary to consult a specialist to rule out infections of the bones, skin or joints.
- A visit to the doctor is also necessary if the pain is regular and intense, and the child feels constant fatigue. Before the examination, it is necessary to exclude exercise.
What to do with pain in the limbs
Often, pain in the arms and legs occurs after unusual physical exertion. In this case, a hot bath will help, which will relax and soothe overworked muscles. Sea s alt or pine extract can be added to the water. Massage has a good effect, but it is better to entrust this procedure to a specialist.
But if you feel pain in your arms and legs, the causes of which you do not know, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The causes of this condition can be quite harmless, but they can also pose a serious threat to your he alth. Pain in both hands and feet requires diagnosis by a qualified doctor, which consists of a visual examination, testing, additional examination methods (X-ray or tomography). Sometimes there is a need forultrasound examination. Based on the results, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment that is suitable for your case.
