Left Arm Pain
When
having left arm pain the first time you may be experiencing heart
attack symptoms and warnings. Your health should always be your primary
concern and is recommended that you go and see your
doctor if the pain or sensations are prolonged, or that they keep on
reoccurring.
With an electrocardiogram the heart health will be monitored and it can
confirm if the pain you are experiencing is cardio
related. The chances are that it will be nothing to do with your
heart, especially if you don't feel any chest pain, but is
better to be completely sure.
A
very common type of left arm pain, this can also apply to your
right
arm too, is what is known as "dead arm". This occurs when you lay on
your arm, typically when you are asleep, and you restrict the
blood
circulation. It results in your arm aching, and feeling somewhat numb
and heavy. You will then experience what is often referred to as "pins
and needles" pain as the blood flow resumes. This pain can sometimes be
quite severe although it lasts for a few short minutes only. The remedy
is the removal of the restriction by taking your weight off the limb,
accompanied by some exercise to the limb to
help speed the recirculation process. This sort of pain can also be
caused by muscle cramp.
General poor circulation is another
cause of left arm pain, it is characterized by the arm feeling
cold and numb. This is often arises as a reaction
to medication that you may be taking, in which case you should
consult
your doctor.
Left arm pain can come in many conditions. These
include:
tendinitis,
which is an injury to the tendon resulting in a
dull aching sensation;
bursitis,
an inflammation of tiny sacs in your
shoulder joint, leading to severe arm pain;
carpal tunnel syndrome,
a
condition of the wrist typified by numbness and tingling which can
spread into the arm area;
post
herpetic neuralgia, a disorder which
attacks the nerve fibers causing a feeling of pain and numbness;
thoracic outlet syndrome,
following some sort of trauma which then
results in arm pain; and
brachial
plexus injury, which is the results
of a nerve becoming overstretched. Left arm pain can also be
caused or aggravated by rheumatism and arthritis.
So if it has nothing
to do with your heart, what could be the cause and what natural
remedies should you consider? Many times the natural
route is better because it is safe and it is
generally inexpensive.
All of these
disorders can best be treated naturally. The first thing you should do
is to rest you arm and use it as little as possible. A hot compress
can help to lessen the pain and reduce any swelling since it helps the circulation; apply it
up to 3 times per day for about 10-20 minutes. Always remember to keep a
cloth between your skin and any compress to avoid damaging the skin. Keeping
your arm elevated can also help to minimize any swelling.
Eating a
natural, healthy, well balanced diet will also help and regular
exercise, including basic routines to strengthen you arms are beneficial too.
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