From ‘silent’ killers to ectopic pregnancies and dementia – the 11 things your arms can reveal about your health
WITH 30 bones from your shoulder to your fingers, our arms – from the Latin arma, meaning tools of war – are not just incredibly useful but an indicator of how healthy you are.
One recent study found people with high levels of body fat stored in their arms are at greater risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers in China also noted people with higher muscle strength were less likely to develop the diseases compared to those with lower muscle strength.
Dr Helen Wall, senior GP partner from the NHS Oaks Family Practice in Bolton, tells Sun Health: “Arms can tell us an awful lot about general health.
“There are certain issues patients can present with, in their arms, that may seem unrelated to conditions like cancer or dementia but they can be real red flags to medical professionals. Even things like ectopic pregnancies can manifest with signs and symptoms in the arms and shoulders.”
If you have ever had an ache, a pain or a twinge, your arms could be giving you messages about your health.
Dr Helen reveals what is harmless, what is not and when to seek help . . .
SLIPPED DISC
FEELING a tingling sensation running down your arms is probably a bout of pins and needles.
But, in some rarer cases, it could be a sign of an agonising back problem.
Dr Helen says: “Discs are the soft bulges in between the bones in the spine. They contain the spinal column and when they’re not happy, the nerves in the spinal column send messages letting the brain know that.
“In the case of a slipped disc or disc issues in the neck, the arms can tingle, grip strength can be affected and even things like picking up a mug can become a real problem.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If you find your arms tingling or if there’s a difference in one or both and what they can do in terms of strength, contact your GP and they should get you in for an appointment to investigate.”
SHINGLES
WHILE lots of people think you can catch shingles, it is actually a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, Dr Helen explains.
“While a rash is common, someone with shingles can also experience tingling in their arms before the rash. In fact you can get tingling in any part of the body,” she says.
“Shingles can cause nerve pain so sometimes people can present arm pain and tingling so severe it even hurts to have any fabric next to the affected area.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If you develop arm pain and a rash at the same time, it’s worth getting it looked at. Pharmacists can help with shingles so if you think you may have it, go and see them and they can provide the same treatments a GP can.”
FIBROMYALGIA
LADY Gaga has spoken out about living in pain as a result of fibromyalgia and Kirsty Young’s experience with the condition forced her to hang up her headphones as host of the BBC’s Desert Island Discs.
The condition is characterised by musculoskeletal pain in the whole body, but pain is often specifically felt though the chest and arms, Dr Helen explains.
She says: “People with the condition often report feeling like their arms are swollen even though there’s no visible inflammation or swelling. It can feel like an aching, burning or throbbing, even a stabbing pain.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If you experience anything like tingling or pain in your arms accompanied by difficulty sleeping and excessive fatigue, speak with your doctor, who may arrange further testing.”
PANCOAST TUMOUR
IT’S not the first place you would expect to notice symptoms of a lung tumour, but pain in your arm could be a warning sign of something sinister.
Dr Helen says: “Pancoast tumours are ones that occur in the top section or the top semi-circle part of the lungs.
“They’re often diagnosed late as they don’t have many common symptoms but they present with pain in the shoulders and arms which is often persistent but gets worse at night. They can also present with one-sided arm weakness.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If you have arm pain like this accompanied by a shortness of breath, weight loss, coughing or coughing up blood, make an appointment with your GP who will get you in for screening and probably a chest X-ray.
“Pancoast tumours can present without any symptoms other than chest pain though.”
LEWY BODY DEMENTIA
IT’S the third most common type of dementia, and along with memory problems Lewy Body dementia can also cause symptoms in your limbs.
Dr Helen says: “LBD affects the dopamine-producing area of the brain which is responsible for excitement, so people with it can experience hallucinations as well as changes in the arm movements.”
The NHS also lists slow movement, stiff limbs and tremors as signs of the condition.
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “Any arm changes that involve tremor or stiffness or slowing of movements and include hallucinations need investigating immediately, whether they’re occurring in one or both arms. Other symptoms include a shuffling walk and a loss of coordination.”
PARKINSON’S
MOST people are familiar with tremors as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, but the neurological condition can also affect your arms in other ways.
Dr Helen warns: “If your arms are moving like they’re on a cog rather than a fluid motion, that could be a symptom of Parkinson’s.
“It can affect one arm or both to the same degree but there’s a rigidity in the arms and sometimes a tremor too.
“Lots of people first see a symptom when they can’t hold a pen or a mug as they normally would.”
When to get help: Dr Helen advises: “Any changes in grip strength warrant investigation.
“There isn’t a Parkinson’s test but your doctor will look at your medical history and symptoms and refer you to a neurologist if necessary.”
HEART ATTACK
THERE is a common misconception that people suffering a heart attack will collapse clutching their chest, like you see in the movies.
Dr Helen says: “I’ve had patients in clinic tell me they can’t be having a heart attack as they went to work but they definitely can. Pressure or discomfort in the left arm can be a symptom of a heart attack but it can also affect both arms.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If the onset of the pain is sudden, get to a doctor or your A&E or call 111. They’ll be able to talk you through what you should do next.
“Shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue are also symptoms, don’t delay getting help.”
APPENDICITIS
FEW people would think there’s a link between the arms and your appendix.
But Dr Helen explains: “Appendicitis can present with pain and aching in the arm or shoulder tip alongside pain in the lower abdomen, specifically over the right side.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If you have nausea, loss of appetite and pain that worsens when walking or coughing, call your GP surgery or 111.
“Arm pain in appendicitis is often secondary but shouldn’t be ignored as a symptom.”
“The arm pain in appendicitis is often secondary but shouldn’t be ignored as a symptom.”
TENNIS ELBOW
THE condition causes a swelling or tearing of the tendons that help your wrist bend away from your palm.
“We often see it in people with a repetitive job like typists or butchers,” Dr Helen says.
“It happens when people make the same manoeuvre constantly and it is felt mostly on the outer elbow.
“The pain should ease in two to four weeks but unfortunately a lot of people who present with this condition can’t take that time off their job.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If it’s a hobby that’s caused it, rest your arm for a couple of weeks. If the pain is still there see your pharmacist for anti-inflammatory medications.
“If you can’t stop the motion that’s causing it, go and see your doctor as they can sign you off work if needed as really the only thing that stops tennis elbow is ceasing the movement that caused it.”
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
DR Helen says: “No one knows why ectopic pregnancies may present with shoulder pain but shoulder pain accompanied by abdominal pain can be a symptom of something happening in the abdominal cavity.
“It’s called referred pain by doctors in that it’s not at the site of the issue itself.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “A woman presenting with shoulder pain and no injury or impact to it would always make me want to do a pregnancy test first, for an ectopic pregnancy.
“But similarly, a man or woman with the same symptoms could mean sepsis or a bowel perforation, including stomach ulcers.”
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
DR Helen says: “This occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed by a multitude of conditions, including pregnancy, fracture or dislocation, menopause, thyroid issues and diabetes.
“Symptoms include pain or aching fingers, hands or arms, numbness in hands or arms, tingling and pins and needles.”
When to get help: Dr Helen says: “If your symptoms are mild, speak to your GP, spelling everything out with as much detail and medical history as possible.
“It’s worth making an appointment with your practice nurse who can do an examination and go from there.”