Is your pain caused by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, or arthritis? They all involve pain but they are actually quite distinct with respect to the specific symptoms and type of pain. How can you tell the difference?
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Leg pain is any type of pain or discomfort in the leg, from the hip joint to the heels. Leg pain is a fairly common complaint. Your legs are made up of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels all of which are subject to injury, infection or other conditions that can cause leg pain.
Leg pain may last briefly or be constant, and affect your entire leg or only a particular area. Your pain may feel achy, piercing or tingling. Pain-like sensations often described as pins-and-needles, prickling, or burning sensations are called paresthesias. Leg pain may be simply irritating and uncomfortable, or so debilitating that you cannot put weight on your leg or walk.
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Neck pain is any type of pain or discomfort throughout the neck region, which consists of the cervical spine, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives, and it is usually not a cause for concern.
Neck pain can be due to minor problems, such as sleeping in an awkward position, or it can be due to more serious problems, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease. Any of the structures in the neck can become irritated or inflamed in response to a variety of different conditions.
Depending on the underlying cause, neck pain may last briefly, or it may be chronic, defined as lasting more than three months. Your neck pain may feel like a dull ache, or it may be sharp and jolting in a specific area. Although most cases of neck pain resolve themselves in a few days to a few weeks with basic self-care measures, neck pain can also persist and lead to more serious problems, such as nerve damage.
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Doctors still have much to learn about what causes fibromyalgia. What they do know is that many times, it doesn't occur alone. People with fibromyalgia frequently cope with chronic headaches, depression, and other painful or debilitating disorders.
Understanding how these conditions interact may eventually help researchers develop better treatments for fibromyalgia. In the meantime, learning about related conditions could help you identify other causes for your symptoms. This knowledge can help you and your doctor manage and improve your health.
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