Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Pain

Video: Aching Back Pain

Headaches

Janet Jackson performs during the opening night of her North American tour.

Dealing With a Migraine Like Janet Jackson's

A vestibular migraine involves the illusion of movement and can be disabling.

Join a Discussion

Pain Community

From the occasional headache to chronic fibromyalgia, pain disorders can be daunting and difficult to manage. Get support from others with experience handling pain.

Back Pain

Most cases of back pain resolve within a matter of weeks or months. But for some it becomes a constant problem, which, if ignored, can result in depression, disturbed sleep, impaired balance, and a withdrawal from the pleasurable activities of life.

Fibromyalgia

Unlike arthritis, this condition does not affect the joints. Instead, it causes widespread pain and achiness in the body's muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Numbness, tingling, and the sensation of swelling of the hands are other common symptoms. The disorder cannot be cured, but symptoms can be managed.

Headache

It's the most common reason people skip work and school. Headache pain results when nerves of the blood vessels and head muscles are activated and send pain signals to the brain, though it's not clear why these signals are activated in the first place. Especially in the case of migraines, they tend to run in families.

Kidney Stones

When a stone is in the kidneys, many people are totally unaware of its presence. If shape and size permit, kidney stones sometimes pass without significant discomfort after they break loose. However, even a small stone can wreak havoc as it moves down the urinary tract.

Osteoarthritis

By age 60, almost everybody has OA in at least one joint. All those years of bending and lifting and twisting and turning wears down the cartilage that caps the ends of bones, resulting in painful inflammation. Treatment focuses on easing the discomfort.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Most often the onset of this autoimmune disorder is marked by fatigue, weakness, low-grade fever, or loss of appetite and weight. Such symptoms may or may not be accompanied by mild joint stiffness or pain.

Shingles

The pain of shingles can be intense and feel unrelenting. It may be itching, stabbing, or shooting. Three to four days before the telltale blisters develop, you may feel sluggish or have a fever, chills, a headache, an upset stomach, diarrhea, or difficulties with urination.

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Pain Videos

Aching Back Pain

Dr. Paul Knoepflmacher takes us inside the body to see how the back works.

HealthiNation video

Arthritis: Pain in Your Joints

What you can do right now to ease the pain of arthritis.

HealthiNation video

What Are Migraines?

Learn what triggers a migraine and what medications can help ease the pain.

Health Rankings

America's Best Hospitals

Best Hospitals

The U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals rankings cover 170 hospitals in 16 adult specialties.

America's Best Health Plans

Best Health Plans

New England is home to many of the best health plans in the country. U.S. News and NCQA review nearly 700 plans.

Symptom Search

American Hospital Association Symptom Finder

Discover possible causes of your symptoms.

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