Bone Pain
Bone Pain: Knowing When to Take it Seriously
It may not be everyday that you experience bone pain. When you do experience pain in your bones though, it may be a cause for real concern.
Bone Pain
Causes of Pain
A fracture is one of the most obvious causes of bone pain that you can easily determine yourself. Once your bones suffer trauma and get fractured, you may not be able to move until you receive medical attention. Aside from fractures, osteoarthritis is also a common cause of pain in the bones. This is typically caused by the wear and tear that diminishes the cartilage that cushions the joints. There are other forms of arthritis that may also cause pain in the bones.
Bone pain may also be a sign of far more serious bone conditions and diseases. Some specific conditions that target the bones and cause pain include rickets, osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, osteomyelitis and Paget’s disease. Pain may also result from tumor growths that may be malignant or benign. Individuals who have malignant bone tumors may be suffering from certain types of bone cancer such as osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.
Bone pain is not an exclusive symptom of bone diseases. Some medical conditions that do not primarily involve the bones may also cause pain in the bones. These conditions include fibromyalgia, leukemia, sepsis, tuberculosis and lung cancer.
What You Should Do
Some individuals who experience bone pain may initially attempt self-treatment. They may opt to use over the counter pain medication and apply hot and cold compresses. It is recommended though that patients see their doctors for the proper treatment of pain. This is especially because bone pain that is not obviously caused by a fracture may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Patients should not delay or postpone their appointments with their doctors.
Steps in Diagnosis
Regardless of a patient’s condition, diagnosing the cause of bone pain follows similar steps. The doctor would have to first conduct a physical examination. A patient would also have to sit in for an interview. Aside from asking about a patient’s medical history, the doctor would also want to know about the location of the pain, its intensity and the length of time the patient has had it. Other symptoms which may or may not have been previously obvious to the patient may also be established during the medical check up.
Depending on the result of the interview and physical exam, a patient may have to undergo a number of tests. Some possible tests include x-ray, MRI, CT scan and blood test. If the problem seems to be more serious, a bone scan may be required.
Treatment
Bone pain cannot be treated separate from its cause. The disease or condition causing the pain may therefore have to be resolved first before the pain disappears. Naturally, treatment would depend on the disease that you have. In any case, immediate treatment is recommended.
Bone pain is not something to you should ignore. You could be putting your health at serious risk by disregarding this symptom.
