Symptom: Pain

Introduction: Pain

General information about Pain is below, or review more specific information about these symptoms: abdominal pain, back pain, eye pain, headache, leg pain, jaw pain, side pain or other types.

There are many types of pain and many locations to get pain. The body uses pain to tell the brain that something is wrong. Never ignore pain. Any type of pain symptom needs prompt professional medical advice for diagnosis of the underlying cause of the pain.

Pain is one type in a spectrum of sensations, involving the nerves and the brain, ranging from agony to numbness. Unusual sensations such as tingling, burning, or "pins-and-needles" type pain are called paresthesias.

Pain varies in intensity and level. Sudden severe pain is called acute pain; ongoing persistent pain is chronic pain.

» Review Causes of Pain: full list

Causes of Pain:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Pain. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Some causes of episodic general pain include:
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Hypochondria
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Syphilis
• Other causes of pain may depend on the region of pain such as:
  • Back pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Side pain
  • Neck pain
  • Headache
  • Face pain
  • See various other types of pain

See full list of 3014 causes of Pain

» Review Causes of Pain: full list

Causes of Types of Pain:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Pain:

• Back pain (419 causes)
• Abdominal pain (1067 causes)
• Side pain (32 causes)
• Chest pain (536 causes)
• Aches (326 causes)
• Earache (177 causes)
• Sore throat (237 causes)
• Joint pain (500 causes)
• Headache (977 causes)
• Neck pain (127 causes)
• Urinary pain (109 causes)
• Urination pain (148 causes)
• Urethral pain (3 causes)
• Bladder pain (7 causes)
• Anorectal pain (63 causes)
• Rectal pain (21 causes)
• Anal pain (5 causes)
• Kidney pain (8 causes)
• Oral pain (52 causes)
• Sexual pain (100 causes)

See full list of 462 types for Pain

Pain: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Pain, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Pain: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Pain and Nerve symptoms (2650 causes)
• Pain and Sensations (2630 causes)
• Pain and Digestive symptoms (1272 causes)
• Pain and Head symptoms (1245 causes)
• Pain and Muscle symptoms (993 causes)
• Pain and Swelling symptoms (970 causes)
• Pain and Abdominal symptoms (950 causes)
• Pain and Muscle weakness (935 causes)
• Pain and Weakness (900 causes)
• Pain and Fatigue (805 causes)
• Pain and Skin symptoms (778 causes)
• Pain and Respiratory symptoms (768 causes)
• Pain and Fever (759 causes)
• Pain and Temperature symptoms (736 causes)
• Pain and Abdominal pain (733 causes)
• Pain and Headache (725 causes)
• Pain and Face symptoms (700 causes)
• Pain and Skin problems (684 causes)
• Pain and Eye symptoms (638 causes)
• Pain and Breathing symptoms (623 causes)

See full list of 2610 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Pain

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Common symptoms (4555 causes)
• Nerve symptoms (3495 causes)
• Sensations (3186 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Pain

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Pain:

• Paresthesias (210 causes)
• Sensations (3186 causes)
• Numbness (242 causes)
• Nerve symptoms (3495 causes)
• Tingling (358 causes)
• Types of pain
• Itching (808 causes)
• Burning symptoms (150 causes)
• Sensation of burning
• Severe pain
• Chronic pain
• Acute pain

Diagnostic Guides for Pain

Medical Books Excerpts Read excerpts from published book sections related to Pain from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Pain. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Pain

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Pain

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various other causes. See causes of...read more »

Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (see symptoms of multiple sclerosis). See symptoms of Vitamin...read more »

Ganglion a cosmetic defect: Ganglions are among the most common tumours of the hand and wrist. They may disappear spontaneously and recurrences...read more »

Torsion of testis: medical emergency - Torsion of the testis is a medical emergency which occurs in young boys of age group 5- 15 years of age. It is usually sudden in onset and is associated with severe pain, vomiting and groin pain. It must be...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Pain

Diagnostic tests for Pain:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Pain. Some of these are listed below :

• General inspection
  • Posture, mobility, weight, color of skin, facial appearance, general body build
• Physical examination
  • Examine the area that is affected by pain
  • Examine other relevant body systems

See full list of 8 diagnostic tests for Pain

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Pain. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• Where exactly is the pain, and can you point with one finger where the pain is the worse? - to determine the site of the pain.
• When did the pain start?
• Did the pain start gradually or suddenly?
• Can you give the pain a severity rating from 1-10, with 1 being very mild and 10 being the worst pain you could imagine?
• How would you describe the nature of your pain? - e.g. aching, stabbing, burning, throbbing, constricting, gripping and cramp-like.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Pain (42 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Pain) may include:

• Nausea or vomiting? - If yes, nature and volume of the vomit and if it contains any blood?
• Change in appetite?
• Weight change?
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)?
• Diarrhea?

See Diagnosis Checklist for Pain (42 listings)

Stories from Users for Pain

Real-life user stories relating to Pain:

• Lung/Breathing Pain...any answers???
• My bones hurt! =(
• Numbness and burning in different parts of my body...please help!!
• Low back pain/frequent Urination
• Tip of Penis Hurts
• Total Body Burning
• Sores only on buttocks
• Can constipation cause this type of agony?
• sore knees after running
• sore heel
• It hurts to swallow
• buttocks-down the leg aches when sitting or lying
• intermittent chest pain/gallbladder problems
• It hurts so bad!!!!!!!!!
• Recurring joint pain in 14 year old
• My boyfriend had sex with a girl with Chlamydia..what are the chances that I got it?
• it hurts when i cough =(
• Recurring anxiety, fatigue, shaky, achy, restlessness, insomnia, sinus
• Penis discomfort
• Recurring anal abscesses for 2 yrs!

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Pain or relevant symptoms:

• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (171)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Hand numbness
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • Anxiety and high BP
  • More user stories
• Respiratory (Lungs and Breathing) (136)
  • Chlorine/ammonia odor when I breathe
  • Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
  • Clearing throat cough and breathing difficulties
  • Chest discomfort
  • Unable to get diagnosis....please help!
  • More user stories
• Gastrointestinal (Food - from entry to exit) (452)
  • Bloating/Distention/Intestinal Gas
  • Intense Abdominal Pain
  • Help Please! Extreme Abdominal Pain/Gas/Bowel Symptoms ++
  • Feels like a baby kicking-not pregnant
  • 7 year old with severe heartburn/stomach aches
  • More user stories
• Genitourinary (The urination system) (138)
  • Burning In Penis After Urination. Std/urine Culture = Negative
  • Blood in urine (hematuria)
  • I KEEP PEEING AND I DONT KNOW WHY!! Iplease some1 help me
  • Excessive Burping..
  • Swollen (enlarged)Kidneys, normal blood tests (no stones)Dr.'s not helping
  • More user stories
• Musculoskeletal (Muscles, joints and bones) (405)
  • Joint and muscular pain after taking chantix
  • Arm pain after sneezing
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Joint swelling, stiffness, severe foot pain
  • Muscle twitches/spasms
  • More user stories
• Neurological (Nerves) (357)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • Eye twitch
  • Essential tremor
  • More user stories

Videos for Pain

Patient Surveys for Pain

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about diseases related to your Pain
  Take Survey  View Results

Causes of Pain listed in Disease Database:

Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible causes of Pain as a symptom include:

• Capsaicin
• Compartment syndrome
• Functional disorders
• Reflex sympathetic osteodystrophy
• Repetitive strain injury
• Snake bite (Viperidae)
• Substance P
• Surgery complication
• Thalamic syndrome

See full list of 3014 causes of Pain
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medications or substances causing Pain:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Pain as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Cyclandelate
• Cyclan
• Cyclospasmol
• Cladribine
• Leustatin

See full list of 180 medications causing Pain

Drug interactions causing Pain:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Pain as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Allopurinol and Vidarabine interaction
• Zyloprim and Vidarabine interaction
• Vidarabine and Allopurinol interaction
• Alcohol and Nizoral interaction

See full list of 4 drug interactions causing Pain

Definitions of Pain:

Pain: algophobia.
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Causing physical or psychological misery, pain or distress.
- (Source - Diseases Database)

A symptom of some physical hurt or disorder; "the patient developed severe pain and distension"
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli and generally received by specialized nerve endings.
- (Source - CRISP)

Detailed list of causes of Pain

The list below shows some of the causes of Pain mentioned in various sources:

• 3-methylglutaconic aciduria, type 4 - impaired hearing
• Abdominal abscess - abdominal pain
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm - groin pain
• Abdominal Cancer - abdominal pain
• Abdominal chemodectomas with cutaneous angiolipomas - abdominal pain

See full list of 3014 causes of Pain

How Common are these Causes of Pain?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Pain. Of the 3014 causes of Pain that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 60 causes are "very common" diseases
• 86 causes are "common" diseases
• 55 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 19 causes are "rare" diseases
• 173 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 2727 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 3014 causes of Pain

Conditions listing symptoms: Pain:

The following list of conditions have 'Pain' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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