Associated symptoms

The accompanying symptoms can be very diverse due to the many different possible causes. In the case of a thrombosis, for example, in addition to the pain in the affected area, there may be swelling, livid discoloration, overheating, a feeling of heaviness and an increased vein drawing. Multiple sclerosis usually begins with a one-sided, temporary deterioration in vision, exhaustion and is accompanied by sensory disturbances on the skin, but can also trigger many other symptoms such as temporary or permanent paralysis, incontinence, memory and concentration disorders or depression.

Fibromyalgia can present itself with increased sweating, dry mouth, heart stumbling and irritable bowel syndrome, among other things. Fever, unwanted weight loss, night sweats, fatigue and depressive moods can occur in the course of a polymyalgia rheumatica. A herniated disc can lead to pain as well as to sensations of discomfort, tingling and numbness. Paralysis and urinary incontinence can also occur in the course of a herniated disc. A doctor should be consulted urgently in the case of these symptoms, as they are signs of nerve damage.

Diagnosis

At the beginning of the diagnosis there is a questioning of the physician (anamnesis) about, among other things, the temporal course of the pain, possible triggers, quality of the pain and additional symptoms. This is followed by a physical examination of the affected region. Depending on the direction of the suspected disease, further examinations are carried out.

For example, laboratory values – such as inflammation values in the blood – can provide information about the trigger. If leg vein thrombosis is suspected, an ultrasound of the leg veins is performed. If bone injuries are suspected, x-rays can be taken. In order to exclude MS as the cause, an MRI of the skull is performed if there is a suspicion.

Duration

The duration of the symptoms also depends on the underlying disease. For example, the symptoms of thrombosis may disappear after a few days after treatment.The symptoms of a herniated disc can disappear again after a few days to weeks, depending on how serious the incident was. If thyroid hormones are taken, the symptoms should improve quickly. If neurological diseases are the cause of the pain, a permanent therapy must be carried out, since often no cure can be achieved, but only symptom relief and a slowing down of the progression of the disease.