144 FAMILY ILLNESS
Arm or hand pain
If you have joint pain, see p. 146 Pain in the arm or hand is often caused by injury or a problem in the neck or shoulder. Rarely, pain in the arm is due to a heart attack or a serious neck disorder. Consult your doctor if the pain is severe, recurrent, or persistent.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may have repetitive strain injury.
• Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen.
START
Did the pain start during or soon after either of the following?
An injury or fall
Repetitive arm or hand movements
Neither
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW if you are in severe pain. You may have either fractured a bone or damaged a muscle.
• Follow the first-aid advice for a broken arm( p. 44).
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES if not in severe pain.
• Follow the first-aid advice for sprains and strains( p. 47).
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may have a compressed nerve in the wrist( carpal tunnel syndrome).
Is the pain associated with any of the following?
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
Nausea, sweating, or feeling faint
None of the above
What are the features of the pain?
Localized in upper arms or shoulders
Extends from the wrist into the palm and lower arm
Shoots down the length of the arm
None of the above
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! You may be having a heart attack.
• While waiting, chew half an aspirin, unless you are allergic to it.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may have inflammation of a tendon or polymyalgia, in which muscles become inflamed, particularly if you are over 60 years old.
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR
WITHIN 24 HOURS You may have a pinched nerve in your neck.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR if you cannot identify a possible cause for your arm or hand pain from this chart.