Being one of the most sensitive areas of the human body, armpit pain can be caused by both injury and other causes. Read on and find out what they are.
You may have experienced armpit pain before. Since this part of the body is home to a large number of blood vessels, tendons, and nerves, it is not uncommon to feel some discomfort. In fact, the armpit is connected to certain muscles that can become inflamed with knots .
It is therefore important to identify the discomfort and assess whether the armpit pain is affecting arm movements. If so, a doctor should be consulted. It is generally not a dangerous condition; only in extreme cases where the nodes are damaged will surgical intervention be necessary.
Symptoms accompanying armpit pain
Among the most characteristic symptoms that may accompany armpit pain when you suffer from this disorder, it is worth mentioning:
- Lumps
- Swelling
- Burning in the area
- Numbness
Causes of armpit pain
Here are the 7 main reasons that can trigger armpit pain.
- Muscle pull in armpit
This type of injury causes sudden, sharp pain in the armpit. It is usually seen in people who lift weights or do similar exercises .
Muscle tension causes weakness, stiffness, fatigue, and in some cases, burning in the area. To resolve this, it is necessary to reduce inflammation and avoid moving that part of the body as much as possible to avoid damaging the torn muscle.
It is recommended to apply a cold compress for 20 minutes or to prefer anti-inflammatory drugs. But most importantly, it is recommended to rest for 3 to 6 weeks .
You may be interested in: Simple Exercises for Back Pain
- Axillary lymphadenitis
The change, known as axillary lymphadenitis , occurs when lymph nodes become inflamed . It usually occurs in the neck, groin, and armpits. Symptoms include:
- Fire
- Swelling
- Pain when touched
- Redness and numbness
Axillary lymphadenitis is caused by infection. Doctors will do a blood test to determine the cause and, in some cases, a biopsy to rule out cancer .
- Angina pectoris
Angina pectoris manifests itself as severe pain . It is caused by lack of blood flow to the heart muscle. This feeling can spread to other parts of the body, such as pain in the armpits, arms, shoulders, neck and back. Meanwhile, the patient may present:
- Burnout
- Dizziness and nausea
- Excessive sweating
If you have pain in your armpit or chest, it is recommended that you see a doctor without delay.
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa is considered a chronic disease characterized by the appearance of nodules, sores or abscesses in the areas where the apocrine sweat glands are located . This means that it is most often found in the armpits.
The lumps form tunnels under the skin that block the follicles. Risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Smoke
- Low immunity.
- Hormonal changes.
- Breast cancer
Just because breast cancer is one possible cause of armpit pain doesn’t mean it’s the only one, so there’s no need to panic. The goal is prevention.
This type of cancer starts with cells that attack the milk-producing ducts. It can also start in the glandular tissue. If the nodes are very swollen, they are likely to affect the armpit area . Some of the symptoms that may occur with breast cancer include:
- Inverted nipple.
- Lump in the breast.
- Redness and itching in the area.
- Flaking around the nipple.
- Change in shape and size of the gland.
If you have any of the above symptoms, you should have a mammogram or biopsy as directed by your doctor to find the cause of the pain and find out if you have breast cancer.
- Reflux
In medical terms, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux or indigestion. Stomach cells secrete a series of acidic fluids that help in the digestion of food.
Sometimes the muscle weakens and stomach acids travel up the esophagus , causing burning in the chest area and can spread to other areas, even causing pain in the armpits.
- Anxiety
Sometimes armpit pain can occur due to somatization . This means that there is no physiological problem that damages the nodes, but the body perceives the pain as a result of a stress situation or anxiety prologue.
People with anxiety begin to worry intensely and constantly, which causes them to feel physically uncomfortable. In these cases, it is recommended to practice relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety. If you cannot suppress the symptoms, it is recommended to visit a doctor to prescribe the most appropriate medications to combat it.
You might find this article interesting: Waking Up Anxious: Why Does It Happen and How to Get Rid of It?
Avoid self-medication
Before taking ibuprofen or any other medication, it is important to consult your doctor to evaluate the condition that may be causing your armpit pain. Remember that taking this type of medication can suppress symptoms and cause the problem to persist for a longer period of time.
