- Causes of bone pain
- 1. Strokes
- 2. Flu or cold
- 3. Osteoporosis
- 4. Infection of bones
- 5. Bone metastases
- 6. Leukemia
- 7. Paget's disease
- How to treat bone pain
- When to go to the doctor
Bone pain can be mistaken for muscle pain or joint pain, however bone pain is characterized by pain that remains even when standing still, for example.
Generally, bone pain is not a serious symptom, especially on the face, during the flu, or after falls and accidents due to small fractures that heal without needing treatment. However, when bone pain lasts more than 1 week, an orthopedic doctor should be consulted to diagnose the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.
Causes of bone pain
1. Strokes
Bone pain arises after an accident, such as a fall, blow or traffic accident, for example, worsening when weight is applied to the affected bone.
What to do: Rest and take painkillers, such as Paracetamol, to reduce pain and allow the bone to heal. If the pain persists for more than 3 days, or the bone is fractured, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist or go to the emergency room.
2. Flu or cold
In case of flu or cold, the accumulation of secretion causes a feeling of heaviness and pain in the bone of the face due to the filling of the sinuses by these secretions.
What to do: It is advisable to inhale with saline 2 to 3 times a day and drink at least 2 liters of water to help release secretions.
3. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone mass due to a lack of vitamin D and calcium, causing pain in our arms and legs. Learn more about Osteoporosis.
What to do: When a lack of calcium is suspected in the bones, it is recommended to have a bone densitometry test to confirm the diagnosis and then increase the intake of foods enriched with vitamin D and calcium, such as eggs, yogurt and cheese, for example.
4. Infection of bones
Bone infection, also known as osteomyelitis, can be accompanied by pain in any bone in the body, fever above 38ยบ, swelling and redness in the affected area. Know other symptoms at: Osteomyelitis.
What to do: It is recommended to go to the emergency room to start the appropriate treatment as soon as possible, avoiding complications such as septic arthritis or amputation.
5. Bone metastases
Bone pain due to metastases is accompanied by rapid weight loss and excessive tiredness, appearing in cancer patients in other parts of the body such as breast, lung, thyroid, kidney or prostate, for example.
What to do: It is advisable to consult the oncologist who is guiding the treatment of cancer. See how bone cancer is treated.
6. Leukemia
In some cases, leukemia can also result in bone pain, leg pain and excessive tiredness may also be noticed. Know how to recognize the symptoms of Leukemia.
What to do: You should see an orthopedist to investigate other causes of bone pain and, if necessary, go to an oncologist to start the appropriate treatment for leukemia.
7. Paget's disease
In some cases, bone pain and joint deformity can be confused with arthritis or osteoarthritis, which may be indicative of Paget's disease. Understand what Paget's disease is, its symptoms and treatment.
What to do: You should go to the doctor to do blood tests and X-rays to assess bone health and start taking medications and physical therapy that should be maintained for a lifetime.
How to treat bone pain
The treatment for bone pain depends on its cause, but it can usually be done only with rest, stretching and placing ice packs on the area that is hurting.
However, in other cases, such as infection or inflammation, it may be necessary to use antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Bi-profenid, to reduce symptoms and resolve the problem.
In the most severe cases, such as fractures, leukemia or cancer, the doctor may recommend other treatments, such as surgery, to repair the fracture or chemotherapy to fight leukemia and cancer.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to consult an orthopedist or go to the emergency room when bone pain:
- It lasts more than 3 days or worsens over time; It is accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss, decreased appetite or excessive tiredness; It appears after severe blows, such as traffic accidents.
In these cases, the doctor may do blood tests, X-rays or CT scans, for example, to diagnose the problem and indicate the most appropriate treatment. Understand what it is to see the Symptoms of Rheumatism in the Bones.
