Left Arm Pain and Weakness

Have you been experiencing pain in your left arm? Do you experience a tingling sensation as well? Pain in the left arm could be caused due to a wide range of reasons. It could be attributed to an injury or overuse of the left arm. Since pain in the left arm is believed to be an early symptom of a heart attack, people tend to become apprehensive on experiencing pain in the left arm. Well, left arm pain alone should not be viewed as a definite sign of a heart attack. It must also be accompanied by other symptoms such as the feeling of pressure or a dull squeezing pain in the chest. In case you have been experiencing any such symptoms, you must get yourself medically examined at the earliest.

Causes

Left arm pain and weakness could be attributed to cardiac as well as non-cardiac causes. Here's some information on the probable causes of left arm weakness and pain.

Injury/Overuse of Muscles: Overuse of muscles can be responsible for causing pain in the left arm. Repetitive strain injuries are commonly responsible for causing pain and weakness in the left arm. Those involved in sports such as weightlifting, tennis, baseball and cricket are also vulnerable to injuries that can result in pain in the left arm. An injury to the tendons, ligaments and bones of the left arm is most likely to cause pain in the left arm.

Poor Blood Circulation: Do you often experience left arm weakness and tingling sensation? This could be caused by poor blood circulation. At times, people wake up with pins-and-needle sensation in their arm. This may occur if your left arm was in an awkward position while sleeping. Those who sleep with their head resting on the left arm may also experience pain. While a wrong sleeping posture could be a contributory factor for pain in the arm, sleeping on a very hard mattress can also aggravate pain. Left arm weakness and numbness could occur if enough blood is not reaching the affected area.

Heart Ailment: Pain in the left arm could be a sign of heart conditions such as angina or heart attack. Angina refers to squeezing chest pain that arises when the amount of oxygenated blood that is supplied to the heart muscle is not sufficient. Such a poor supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle could be a sign of coronary heart disease. On the other hand, a heart attack is a serious condition that occurs when the supply of oxygenated blood to a part of the heart muscle becomes blocked. If the blockage is not treated soon, that section of heart muscle could die. While squeezing chest pain or pressure is the characteristic sign of a heart attack, the pain could also radiate to the neck, jaw, arm and back. One may also suffer from shortness of breath and anxiety.

Other Medical Conditions: Several medical conditions could also be responsible for causing pain in the arm. A tendon is a band of tissue that connects the muscle to the bone. Inflammation of tendons in the wrist or elbow of the left arm could result in left arm ache. Inflammation of tendons in the left shoulder could also cause pain in the left arm. Other ailments that could cause pain in the arm include arthritis, bursitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Arthritis refers to the inflammation of one or more joints. If the joints located in the left arm are inflamed, one is likely to experience pain and restricted mobility. A bursa is fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between the bones, gliding muscles and tissues. An inflamed bursa in the shoulder joint or the elbow joint in the left arm can definitely cause severe discomfort. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is characterized by pain in tendons, soft tissues and muscles. Though the pain is usually widespread, it may be localized to certain areas. Medical conditions where a compressed nerve is the reason behind pain in the arm include ulnar nerve entrapment, carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome.

Treatment

If you have been experiencing pain and weakness in your left arm, don't ignore it. A delay in treatment could give rise to complications. If you have suffered from a mild injury and the arm appears to be swollen, apply an ice pack. This will reduce the pain and swelling. Since some injuries could lead to a fracture or dislocation, it would be best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Since pain and weakness in the left arm could be attributed to various medical conditions, the treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause. Once the underlying medical condition has been diagnosed, doctors might suggest treatment options that may involve topical application of medicated creams and use of painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the pain. Take rest and avoid any activity that may cause muscle fatigue.

If left arm numbness and tingling is caused by poor blood circulation, going for physiotherapy sessions may prove beneficial. A gentle massage with aromatherapy oils might also help in alleviating the pain caused due to sore muscles. Once the pain subsides, make sure that you do gentle stretching. If you have been experiencing left arm weakness and shaking hands, visit a neurologist. The pain and tingling sensation could be caused due to a pinched nerve or a neurological problem. If you are experiencing chest pain along with pain in your left arm, contact a cardiologist. Since a sedentary lifestyle can make you vulnerable to such problems, make the necessary dietary changes and exercise regularly to strengthen your arms.

This was some information on causes and treatment of pain and weakness in the left arm. If you have been suffering from pain in your arm, it would be in your best interest to consult a doctor soon. A timely diagnosis and treatment will certainly fasten the pace of recovery.