Pain or stabbing pain is a sensory perception that can be felt like cold, heat or touch. Pain can occur in a variety of forms. Here, however, it should be about a general definition and exemplary burning pain and stabbing pain will be addressed.
Causes of stabbing pain
If acute pain, such as burning pain or stabbing pain occurs, there is usually a disturbance of the body. So, if one grasps pain broadly, it is always an indication that something is wrong with the body. A special form of pain is chronic pain, which does not occur secondarily, but is present at regular intervals or even always. The causes of pain are not always physical. In some cases, pain can also occur in the context of mental illnesses, such as depression. In this case, no physical factors are decisive. If, on the other hand, acute pain occurs, such as burning pain or stabbing pain, there is usually a disorder of the body. Examples of diseases with burning pain include shingles and hemorrhoidal diseases. Examples of stabbing pain include herniated discs.
Acute pain
Acute pain is a sign of dangerous changes on or in the body. Exemplary here would be pain from burns or injuries. In this case, the pain can usually be accurately diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain is already considered a disease in its own right. The causes are often not immediately identifiable. This is often due to the nerve impulses, which despite the absence of pain stimulus, continue to operate as pain impulses. One speaks of a memory of the affected nerve cells. The most important cause here is often psychological problems or diseases of the patients.
Diseases with this symptom
- Herniated disc
- Lumbago
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle fiber tear
- Phlebitis
- Cervical cancer
- Arthritis
- Meniscus tear
- Cruciate ligament tear
- Torn ligament
- Bladder stones
- Pudendal neuralgia
- Kidney stones
- Inguinal hernia
- Renal pelvic inflammation
- Tendonitis
- Groin strain
- Trigeminal neuralgia
Complications
Stabbing pain has numerous causes, which can involve various complications. In the case of a herniated disc, there may initially be acute sensory disturbances, as well as motor deficits. This leads to a severe impairment of the quality of life, affected persons hardly want to move and usually isolate themselves from society. In the worst cases, this can lead to depression, which can be accompanied by suicidal thoughts. In some cases, vessels can be compressed so that the nerve is no longer supplied with blood; in this case, the nerve dies and the deficits persist. Weakness of bladder emptying and defecation may also occur, resulting in incontinence. Kidney stones can also cause stabbing pain. These lead to a buildup of urine up to the kidney. This can become inflamed as a result. Kidney inflammation can develop into kidney weakness (renal insufficiency). The inflammation can also spread throughout the body via the blood, leading to blood poisoning or sepsis. This condition usually leads to death if left untreated. An inflammation of the tendon sheath (tendovaginitis), which also leads to stabbing pain, can become chronic in the worst case and thus lead to a severe impairment of the quality of life and can also end in an occupational disability.
When should you go to the doctor?
As a rule, pain always represents an indication that something is wrong with one’s body. If the pain occurs only for a short time, then in most cases a visit to the doctor is not necessary. However, severe, stabbing and especially permanent pain should always be treated and examined by a doctor. This is especially true if the patient has previously suffered an accident or may have otherwise injured himself. Treatment by a doctor can prevent complications and consequential damage.Immediate examination is particularly necessary in the event of bleeding or even if the affected person loses consciousness due to the pain. Pressure pain must also be examined if it does not disappear on its own. As a rule, the choice of doctor depends on the cause of the pain. If this is not known, the general practitioner can also be consulted first. In acute emergencies or in case of severe injuries and accidents, the hospital should be visited. Alternatively, the emergency physician can also be called. If the pain can be localized, the respective specialist can be visited directly.
Treatment and therapy
Acute pain can usually be recognized and felt immediately and can therefore be treated specifically. The elimination of this pain refers to its causes. However, if the pain persists for a period of about three months, it is referred to as chronic pain. In this case, therapy is always oriented to the pain itself. Progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training and hypnotherapy have proven to be effective. However, well-known painkillers such as acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac and ibuprofen can also be used in pain therapy. These drugs are usually available over the counter in all pharmacies.
Outlook and prognosis
A stabbing pain should always be treated, as it is a medically dangerous condition. Without treatment, stabbing pain can lead to severe complications and further discomfort. What the further course of the condition looks like depends greatly on the region in which the stabbing pain occurs. If, for example, the heart region is affected, stabbing pain can lead to a heart attack, which can also be fatal. If the pain is in the leg or arm, it may occur after overuse or after an accident and is less dangerous in this case. The patient must weigh for himself whether the affected region needs immediate treatment or not. If treated, the stabbing pain can be relatively well contained so that no further discomfort occurs. The stabbing pain should be treated even if it occurs only for a short time. This can prevent secondary damage and further complications. Treatment usually takes place either surgically or with the help of medication and usually leads to a positive course of the disease.
Prevention
Acute pain cannot be prevented directly. It can only be minimized by avoiding accidents and living a generally healthy life through adequate exercise and good nutrition. Likewise, chronic pain cannot be treated in advance. Here, too, the causes, such as psychological suffering, must be recognized and treated in time to rule out long-term consequences.
What you can do yourself
Positive feelings release the body’s own painkillers, the endorphins. It is therefore advisable to take all measures that have an equally positive influence on body and psyche, such as distraction and relaxation exercises. Yoga, Qi Gong, TM (Transcendental Meditation) and autogenic training are all suitable. It is important to divert attention away from the pain: if the body and mind relax, the pain has less of an effect. The same effectiveness applies to laughter. Its healing effect has been scientifically proven. Laughter reduces the release of stress hormones, slows down the heartbeat and relaxes the muscles. It promotes blood circulation and stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory, analgesic hormones. Other means of self-help include PME (progressive muscle relaxation) and breathing exercises. Deep abdominal breathing is particularly recommended here. Gentle forms of exercise, such as walking, can also be easily integrated into everyday life. They stimulate breathing and relieve tension. In the case of acute stabbing pain, it is important to avoid any kind of stress. Immobilizing and cooling affected areas often relieves the greatest discomfort. Many sufferers benefit from bed rest and darkness. Pain is an indication that functions in the body are disturbed. If they persist for a long time, a doctor should urgently clarify the causes.