General Pain

General pain, according to International Association for the Study of Pain, is any unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. It is associated with either actual or potential tissue damage. Unlike specific pain, general pain is not limited to one area of the body. It may affect various body parts at a time. 

Pain is associated with injury or health condition. Some of the possible conditions that cause general pain are arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain condition and muscle pain. Since the pain is not localized, determining or diagnosing the underlying cause is highly important. This is often the key to finding the proper pain management and treatment solutions. If you experience general pain and other associated symptoms, it is best to consult a pain specialist as soon as possible.

Pain Symptoms in General

Pain can be dull, sharp, mild, throbbing or severe. The kind of pain one experiences usually depends on the condition that the patient has or if the pain is acute or chronic, or on what particular area of the body is the pain experienced. In many cases, one type of pain can be a sign of different types of conditions. Most pain conditions usually come with other symptoms as well. Thus, when pain specialists try to determine the pain condition, they usually look at the type of pain, the area where the pain is felt, along with other symptoms present.

Common Pain Conditions with General Pain

The pain may be chronic pain or a sign of arthritis, muscle pain or fibromyalgia.

• ArthritisPain is the most common symptom of arthritis. This condition affects the joints and may be in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. The most common symptoms of arthritis, depending on the type you have, are the following: pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and decreased range of motion. 
• Chronic PainWhen the pain lasts for three to six months or even more, then it is already chronic. The common symptoms of this condition include the following: 

• Stiffness, soreness, tightness and/or discomfort.
• Electrical, burning, shooting or aching pain.
• Pain does not go away after days or weeks. It lasts for months or years. 

• FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a condition generally characterized by musculoskeletal pain which is widespread. It is usually accompanied by mood, memory and sleep issues. The following are the common symptoms of fibromyalgia:

• Widespread musculoskeletal pain.The fibromyalgia pain is characterized as a dull ache which could affect both sides of the body, as well as below and above the waist. The pain usually lasts for at least three months or more. 
• Cognitive issuesImpairs one’s ability to concentrate, pay attention and focus. This symptom is also known as “fibro fog.” 
• Fatigue and sleep disorders.Because of the lasting, recurring and severe pain, people with fibromyalgia are likely to suffer sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and fatigue. 
• Muscle Pain SymptomsMuscle pain is also medically known as myalgia. This type of pain may be caused of inflammatory conditions, infections, or injury. The muscle pain may be localized or may affect multiple muscle groups. It can be mild, severe or debilitating.

Experiencing pain is not always a cause of concern. Pain is sometimes normal and may go away on its own. However, if pain is really that bad, if it comes with other symptoms, or if has been on for weeks, then it’s time to seek professional help. Have your pain checked and treated by experienced pain specialists.