You know those pains that come and go in a matter of a minute? Or maybe they'll linger for a few hours to only disappear the next day, and reappear again a few days later.
These random pains in our bodies are actually not so random. There's a reason behind it. Sometimes it's not a cause for concern, and sometimes it is.
The more you know about what the pain on a certain area of your body means, the better care you'll be able to receive.
1. Bottom Of Your Foot
It's estimated that a majority of older women have some kind of foot problem. While it's easy to lounge on your couch when you're in pain, you're actually doing more harm than good in the long run.
The pain that seems to be centered at the arch of your foot is actually caused by inflammation in a flat band of tissue known as the plantar fascia.
As you get older, there's more weight being put on the bottom of your feet, causing this issue to become more rigid and less flexible.
The best thing you can do is massage and stretch your feet daily to stretch out the tissue. If the pain is unbearable, take some Advil to get rid of inflammation.
2. Knee Buckling
When your knee gives away, it may be a result of arthritis, immobility, nerve damage, or injury. Even if this happens to you occasionally, it's probably something you want to check out.
According to researchers for Arthritis Care and Research, going weak in the knees can result in increased muscle weakness and difficulty balancing.
If you fall when your knees buckle, your joints will only get more damaged, and you might need surgery to correct it.
3. Behind The Ear
That searing pain behind your ear usually means you have a migraine, a pinched nerve, or lymph node inflammation.
If you feel this pain often, and it isn't caused by keeping your neck bent in an awkward position, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
The pain behind your ear could be a sign of an infection, vascular disorder, or blood clot, and you'd need immediate medical attention.
4. Sharp Pain In Your Head
This happens to me at least a few times a month: I feel a sharp pain in a certain region in my head, and it goes away in a few seconds.
Before you start worrying that you have a tumor or are suffering from an aneurysm, check to see if you're dizzy or feeling numb. If that's not the case, then this sharp pain is just another form of migraine.
That being said, if this is happening to you quite often, you should see a doctor immediately.
5. Cramp
You know that cramp you get on your side when you eat and exercise right after? That's usually caused by indigestion.
If you're frequently getting cramps in other areas of your body, like your legs, you may be suffering from an underlying condition.
A diet lacking in potassium, calcium or magnesium could be cramping your muscles.
Also, poor circulation is another reason for leg cramps, so you need to talk to your doctor to see if you need to be given iron supplements or are suffering from a serious condition that narrows your arteries.
6. Sharp Stomach Pain
If this pain happens once in a while, it's not too much to worry about. Your sharp stomach pain may be caused by a buildup of stomach acid, and something as simple as an antacid like TUMS could relieve your discomfort.
A sharp pain that comes and goes at least several times a day may indicate an ulcer or some other kind of serious stomach issue. You'd need to see a doctor to get to the bottom of it.
7. Sudden Heart Pain
A friend of mine was complaining of heart pain for a few days and was worried that she had developed a heart condition.
When she went to see her doctor, it turned out that she had pulled a muscle close to her heart. She remembered she first felt the pain after doing a shoulder check.
This seems to be a common reason for a sudden pain in that region, but it should not be overlooked if you're experiencing other symptoms of a heart attack.
Pain in this region could also be linked to your stomach, which sometimes can be missed by doctors, so be sure to mention that if you feel a sudden pain in your heart regularly.
8. Aching Leg(s)
Usually we'll know why we have achy legs. My legs feel heavy whenever I'm immobile for long periods of time or I'm on my feet for more than eight hours a day.
The reason may be obvious for some, but if your legs ache often, it's definitely not a good sign. Aching legs could also be a sign of peripheral vascular disease, which is usually caused by diabetes, blood clots, injury, or infection.
This disease is a circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels to narrow, resulting in that ache.
9. Sudden Back Pain
I don't know anyone who doesn't complain of back pain. Most of the time, your discomfort is a result of bad posture or a sudden change in position that pulls a back muscle.
That pain usually goes at least a day or two later, but if it doesn't, it could be caused by a herniated disc, sciatic nerve pain, or a kidney stone.
10. Irritated Throat
You know that pain in your throat that comes out of nowhere, making you think that you've gotten a nasty cold, and then it just goes away? Yes, that's annoying, and there's a few reasons why you sometimes feel this way.
The first reason might be that you're allergic to a certain food, and you'd have to see your doctor to check to see what that allergy is.
The second reason might be that you're consuming too much sugar. The acidic content in your throat is building up, causing inflammation and throat irritation.