Unfortunately, part of the human experience is pain--pain of all kinds. Physical pain can come from minor mishaps, major accidents, illnesses varying in intensity, or just daily wear-and-tear. But when you are feeling an ongoing ache in your body that has no apparent underlying cause, you can feel frustrated, tired, and a little helpless. So what is that persistent ache?
I am going to give you a few things to think about, but my advice should not be substituted for that of a licensed physician. So if you are concerned about the constant pain you are feeling, make an appointment as soon as you can.
If your discomfort is focused heavily on your joints, it could be arthritis, or worse--Rheumatoid arthritis, often called RA for short. Arthritis tends to strike just one or two joints at a time, especially in the knees and hands. RA is a much more serious condition that causes constant inflammation in most, if not all, the joints of a person's body and can also begin to take a toll on their internal organs.
RA can be so severe that it begins to cripple a person's ability to live their life normally and can even cause physical deformity. If your pain is this severe, you need to visit with your doctor for a blood test. You may also experience a slight fever, persevering fatigue, stiffness, and weight loss if RA is the problem.
With the right treatments, RA is manageable, but you will need to be in regular communication with your doctor to find out what works for you. S/he may also send you to a specialty in orthopedics or a rheumatologist.
Fibromyalgia is also a possibility. It is generally marked by widespread pain in muscles and joints, coupled with often bone-crushing fatigue. Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose and can be even harder to treat, as the medical community has not come to a consensus on the cause or the best approach to management. However, if you feel you might have the disorder, have a chat with your doctor.
Fibromyalgia differs from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in that CFS is not always accompanied by aches and pains in the body, but sufferers of CFS do tend to report intense migraines. Make a list of your symptoms and keep a pain journal so that you can have an accurate discussion with your doctor about what you are experiencing.
Ongoing discomfort can also come from poor sleep quality. Is your mattress old or otherwise giving you grief? Think about replacing it. And, of course, it never hurts (no pun intended) to go for a relaxing massage at your favorite day spa.
Author Resource:-
OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is a Bloomington neurology and health care clinic. Their staff strives to serve every patient, every time with the greatest care and love (http://www.osfstjoseph.org)
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