What illness might left arm pain be a precursor to?
Sep 09, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Jianjun
Introduction
Left arm pain may be an early sign of conditions such as tennis elbow, cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, mediastinitis, diabetes, and other diseases. It is recommended to visit a hospital for a thorough examination to determine the exact cause. During episodes of left arm pain, it is important to get adequate rest and avoid heavy physical labor. If the pain persists and does not improve, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause, followed by appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance.
Left arm pain may be an early sign of conditions such as tennis elbow, cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, mediastinitis, diabetes, and other diseases. It is recommended to visit a hospital for a thorough examination to determine the exact underlying cause.
1. Tennis Elbow
This condition causes aseptic inflammation in the tendons of the elbow. When the inflammation spreads to the muscles and fascia on the outer side, it may lead to symptoms such as soreness and swelling on the outer elbow and difficulty gripping objects firmly. If the pain is significant, it is advisable to take medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, or celecoxib capsules under medical guidance to relieve symptoms.
2. Cervical Spondylosis
When intervertebral discs in the cervical spine compress the cervical nerve roots, it may trigger radiculitis. As the inflammation spreads to the areas innervated by the nerves, it can cause pain, tingling, soreness, and other sensory abnormalities. It is recommended to follow medical advice and take medications such as mecobalamin tablets, meloxicam tablets, or mastic tree extract tablets (Maizhiling) to nourish the nerves and alleviate pain.
3. Shoulder Periarthritis
Injury or inflammation of the shoulder tendons may cause localized pain. If this pain radiates to the left arm, it may result in stabbing pain and a sensation of soreness in the left arm. It is recommended to take anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications such as nimesulide tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, or celecoxib capsules under a doctor's supervision.
4. Mediastinitis
When inflammation occurs in the mediastinum, noticeable pain may develop. Pain signals transmitted through the nervous system may spread along neural pathways to the left limb, potentially causing muscle fatigue and discomfort in the left shoulder or arm. It is advised to take antibiotics such as cefixime tablets, cephalexin capsules, or penicillin V potassium tablets under the guidance of a qualified physician to control the inflammation.
5. Diabetes
When this disease leads to peripheral neuropathy, it affects the body’s sensory nerves, resulting in pain, tingling, numbness, and abnormal sensations. These symptoms may appear in any part of the body, including the left arm. It is recommended to take medications such as acarbose tablets, metformin hydrochloride tablets, or glibenclamide tablets as prescribed to manage blood glucose levels.
During episodes of left arm pain, it is important to get adequate rest and avoid heavy physical labor. If the pain persists and does not improve, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to identify the specific cause and initiate appropriate treatment under medical supervision.
