{"id":7758,"date":"2019-07-03T05:47:20","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T05:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7758"},"modified":"2021-04-19T16:26:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T16:26:35","slug":"14-reasons-you-feel-pain-in-left-arm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-reasons-you-feel-pain-in-left-arm\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Reasons You Feel Pain in Left Arm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pain felt in the left arm can be a seriously concerning symptom, and if you experience it at all then the first thing you should know about it is the fact that there can be plenty of things that can cause it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing people often think of when they feel pain in their left arm is a heart attack, and this can sometimes be true. If you experience any associated symptoms such as tightness in the chest, numbness or heart palpitations, consider them potential warning signs of a heart attack and get yourself to the emergency room as fast as you can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also many other things that can cause the same associated pain, either as a sharp stab or a dull throbbing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the potential reasons why you might experience pain in your left arm, and what next steps you should take if any of these match up with symptoms that you have been experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. A Sign of a Heart Attack<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Radiating pain or numbness <\/a>that\u2019s felt down the arm and across the shoulders can serve as one of the first early warning signs of an impending heart attack. When this is the case, it might be the only symptom, or it might go together with other symptoms generally considered related to heart attacks such as feeling tightness in the chest along with tiredness or \u201cseeing stars.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a common misconception that the pain associated with a heart attack will happen only in the left arm (or sometimes only in the right). Neither is completely true: The symptom can occur in either the left or the right arm when signaling a heart attack, and in some cases doesn\u2019t even appear at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any symptoms which you believe could point towards a heart attack, immediate emergency room attention is vital. Even if it doesn\u2019t turn out to be a heart attack, you\u2019re better off knowing than risking your health.  <\/strong>
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2. A Symptom of Tennis Elbow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain felt radiating through the left arm can easily be one of the first symptoms of what\u2019s commonly known as \u201ctennis elbow\u201d, which is usually characterized by repeated inflammation of the elbow that flares up due to triggers like exercise, added strain<\/a>, repetitive movements, certain dietary factors, and colder-than-usual weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tennis elbow often comes with associated symptoms and pain that radiates further than just the left arm, and the same pain and discomfort can also be felt through the neck, back and shoulders at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying direct heat to the elbow is one of the first ways to relieve the associated pain and discomfort. It\u2019s also advised to take as much strain off the affected elbow as possible, whether we\u2019re talking about the left or the right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect that you might have a tennis elbow or have already been diagnosed, it\u2019s all about reducing strain if you want it to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Arthritis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis <\/a>describes a variety of different conditions including osteoarthritis and chronic arthritis, and even though it\u2019s generally thought of by many as health conditions that generally affect the older population, these related conditions affect a great deal of the younger population as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A range of different symptoms is associated with arthritis, including swelling, pain, discomfort, heat and sometimes numbness or tingling felt in the affected area. Degeneration of joints and permanent change in the shape and form of the joints can also be seen in more advanced cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing radiating pain felt in either of the arms (when coupled with some of the symptoms mentioned above) can almost certainly point to arthritis or a related degenerative condition \u2013 especially if you notice that pain is worse in the morning or night, or when it gets colder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best natural treatments for arthritis include the use of natural anti-inflammatory things in your diet, like black pepper and turmeric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Muscle Cramps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Muscle cramps and spasms <\/a>can be one of the worst things to live with on a regular basis, and it can easily become a chronic symptom caused by a wide variety of different conditions. If you experience muscle cramps, the first thing that you should do is try to establish the root cause of why it\u2019s happening \u2013 which can be due to mineral deficiencies, diet or too much strain placed on the muscles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience cramps in your left arm as a regular symptom, you might also experience the same type of cramping in your hands, feet, and legs \u2013 and when it\u2019s due to a mineral deficiency, then the condition tends to be worse at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjust your lifestyle and diet first to encompass a wider variety of vitamins and minerals to see if this makes any difference to the pain felt, but be careful when taking especially magnesium supplements where it could be a heart condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Pending Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though it might not be considered to be one of the most common causes of pain felt in the left arm, a pending infection <\/a>should be considered as one of the possible signs and symptoms. If you have any kind of infection in your body, it can lead to pain anywhere and what feels like everywhere in the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fever is one of the first symptoms of a possible infection or inflammation somewhere in the body, and this often comes with the associated feeling that your skin has been set on fire. Sometimes the affected person will feel unusually hot or cold at the same time. This can be coupled with pain in the left arm, though sometimes throughout the whole body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain over-the-counter medications can bring a fever under control (such as paracetamol), though see a doctor to treat the underlying infection \u2013 and definitely see a doctor if fever persists for several hours at a time. 
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6. Trapped Nerves<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trapped nerves <\/a>are one of the more common and more serious causes of experiencing pain or numbness felt in the left arm. This can sometimes happen due to general inflammation and degenerative conditions such as arthritis, but it can also happen because of other things like accidents that cause injury and inflammation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have trapped nerves, you can experience it as pain in the arm, and will likely also experience it as pain or numbness felt somewhere else. This can flare up over time, or it can become something that\u2019s more permanent. In either case, it\u2019s advised to see a doctor \u2013 trapped nerves can be serious, and they can cause a lot of damage when they\u2019re left as an untreated condition for too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For temporary symptomatic relief from trapped nerves, it can often help to apply heat, and anti-inflammatory medications are known to help \u2013 but this doesn\u2019t treat the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Dietary Deficiencies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common potential causes for experiencing muscle cramps and pain can be traced down to following the wrong type of diet or having some kind of gap in your diet which means you\u2019re not getting all of the vitamins and minerals you\u2019re meant to. Salt and magnesium are the two most common minerals that will cause muscle cramps if your diet doesn\u2019t contain enough of it, and you should examine the contents of your diet closer if you find muscle cramps being a common issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor before you start or stop any kind of supplements, especially when it comes to existing heart conditions (officially diagnosed or not) and increasing your salt or magnesium <\/a>intake.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For setting up a good, all-round diet, see some free downloadable diet plans from the internet, or make an appointment and see an expert to find out which adaptations should be made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Other Health Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The different potential causes of pain that are felt in the left arm are much more than the ones that have been listed in this article, and there are many more different conditions that can include it as a symptom. This is why it\u2019s generally considered best to see your doctor if you are experiencing a repeated symptom \u2013 especially if you\u2019ve gone through the entire article and haven\u2019t found something that applies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of these health conditions can include very serious degenerative ones such as muscular dystrophy, and a doctor\u2019s appointment for a symptom you can\u2019t find a cause or home treatment for shouldn\u2019t be put off for too long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great deal of the health conditions that cause pain in the left arm isn\u2019t this serious, but anyone experiencing symptoms should know they have the potential to be \u2013 and any type of health-related symptom that recurs should be considered serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Angina
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People who are experiencing the onset of angina<\/a>, often describe a pressure or squeezing in the left arm, accompanied by sensations of heaviness and tightness in the chest. Some patients with the condition described as a vice clamping down on their heart. Unfortunately, angina is hard to distinguish between other sources of chest pain, and the patient requires a diagnosis by a medical professional to confirm the condition.
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If you start to experience any tightness in the chest, or a sensation like someone is sitting on top of you while you lie in bed, have someone drive you to the emergency room. Angina can be a life-threatening condition if not treated immediately. In some cases, angina may progress to myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack.
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Angina is not always life-threatening, and it may be a sign of other conditions such as sensitivity to caffeine or other nervous system stimulants, like nicotine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Bursitis
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Bursitis <\/a>describes an inflammatory condition affecting the bursa. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac providing cushioning between joints and bones. When the bursa in the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, it may lead to symptoms of pain in the left arm during movement.
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 Patients with bursitis may experience a severe reduction in the range of motion of the shoulder joint. The condition also causes symptoms of pain when attempting to lift heavy objects, open doors, or pull on levers. In some cases, the bursa may become infected with bacteria, resulting in severe pain conditions, as well as the onset of a fever. However, in most cases, bursitis resolves on its own in a few weeks, provided that the patient obtains enough rest.
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Failing to arrest the affected joint will increase symptoms of pain and discomfort, as well as create possible complications with the joint. Doctors prescribe OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories help the patient manage the symptoms of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Rotator Cuff Tear
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The rotator cuff comprises a group of tendons and muscles holding the shoulder capsule and place. The rotator cuff allows a full range of motion in the shoulder joint, allowing it to move in multiple directions.
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A rotator cuff tear is a severe injury affecting the shoulder capsule, limiting the range of motion. When the damage occurs, the patient may notice a sharp pain that radiates from the front of the shoulder, through to the shoulder blade. After sustaining the injury, the person may have trouble lifting their arm, even if they do not have any weight in their hand.
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Rotator cuff tears may take months to heal, and some athletes may never fully recover from the extent of the injury. As a result, some athletes such as bodybuilders and Olympic lifters may have to end their careers. In many cases, a torn rotator cuff requires surgery <\/a>to repair the joint, and restore range of motion to the shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Herniated disk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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The spine consists of the joint known as vertebra. Between these joints lies it disc made from cartilage <\/a>a soft jelly-like substance. When these discs experience pressure due to an applied force, it may result in the development of a bulged disc or herniation. A herniated disc in your spinal column is a tremendously painful experience, and some people may notice a slight bulge Under the Skin in the affected area.
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Patients who experience herniation anywhere along the length of the spine may have problems with bending over or picking up objects from the floor. Should they try to attempt any of these activities, it may result in severe, searing pain, that causes them to double over.
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A herniation of the discs in the spine may occur to multiple reasons including lifting weights in the gym, or something as simple as trying to remove a heavy object from an overhead shelf. 
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Patients may gain some relief from the condition with stretching and rest. However, in most cases, the patient will have to undergo a surgical procedure to repair or replace the disk. Recovery from surgery may take up to a year before the patient recovers a full range of motion in the spinal column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Fractures and Breaks
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Another more common cause of shoulder pain, or pain down the left side of the arm, is due to the affected individual sustaining a break or fracture to the bone or joints. Breaks and fractures may occur to a variety of different forms of trauma<\/a>, including anything from a car accident to a sports injury. In some cases, some people may have weaker bones than others due, to calcium deficiency.
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Calcium is a crucial mineral responsible for bone health, as well as new bone cell creation. Individuals over the age of 65-years old may develop the condition known as osteoporosis. Patients with this condition experience the leaching of calcium from the bones, reducing the structural integrity of the skeletal system. 
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As a result of this condition, the patient is more predisposed to sustaining damage to the skeletal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This situation may become life-threatening for seniors if they do not seek medical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Vascular Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
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Another cause of pain in the left arm is known as vascular, thoracic outlet syndrome. This condition may cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in the arm,  as well as a loss of feeling in the hands. In some cases, the left arm may swell, and the patient experiences sensations of tightness around the shoulder bicep and elbow joint.
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Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome occurs due to a compression of the blood vessels under the collar bone. This compressive force may occur due to repetitive injury,\u00a0 such as overuse of a computer mouse without a protective wrist pad. Another common cause of the condition is sudden trauma to the shoulder or collarbone, resulting in damage to the blood vessels<\/a>, trapping the nerves in this area.
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This condition requires treatment, and if it remains and diagnosed, and unmanaged, it may lead to further nerve damage in the affected arm. Other signs of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome, may include a cold hand or arm, discoloration of the skin, as well as a weak pulse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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