Pain in the right arm can be indicative of a huge number of conditions, ranging from a heart attack to a small scratch. Most of the time, what causes right arm pain can be clearly defined and treated, and it often does not require any medical attention, with over the counter remedies being sufficient. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and seeking medical attention is needed if your pain is severe or if it does not respond to treatment.
What Causes Right Arm Pain?
Some of the most common causes of right arm pain are:
1. Rotator cuff injuries
2. Arthritis
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome
4. Tennis elbow
5. Heart attacks
6. Dislocations
7. Frozen shoulder
8. Strains and sprains
9. Fractures
10. Rickets
11. Osteoporosis
12. Peripheral vascular disease
13. Peripheral neuropathy
14. Bursitis
15. Ulnar nerve palsy
16. Tendinitis
17. Unstable angina
18. Neuralgia
19. Tenosynovitis
20. Mononeuropathy
21. Coronary artery disease
22. Gout
23. Compartment syndrome
24. Stings and bites
25. Lupus
26. Impetigo
27. Sickle cell anemia
28. Multiple sclerosis
29. Multiple myeloma
30. Raynaud's phenomenon
31. Necrotizing vasculitis
32. Polymyalgia rheumatica
33. Lyme disease
34. Snake bites
35. Rhabdomyolysis
36. Hand, foot, and mouth disease
37. Paget's disease of the bone
38. Polycythemia vera
39. Kawasaki disease
40. Acromegaly
41. Erysipelas
42. Osteomalacia
43. Burns
44. Thoracic outlet syndromes
45. Buerger's disease
These are the most common causes of right arm pain, in order of commonalities. Some of them require immediate emergency medical treatment, as they could lead to death if left untreated. Others require lifetime medical treatment in order to manage the symptoms. Others still do not require medical attention at all and will simply subside by themselves.
That said, if you are ever unsure about what causes right arm pain, if the onset of pain is sudden and severe, if the pain gets worse despite treatment, or if any of your normal functioning is affected, then seeking medical attention should always be considered. A physician will be able to review your medical history and order tests if required to determine what the underlying cause is, and the best way to treat it.
In most cases, right arm pain is a symptom, rather than a condition in itself. This is why medical assistance is so important, as a physician will be able to uncover what the root problem is, and how that can best be resolved and treated. Over the counter remedies and, often, vitamin and mineral supplements are the only truly required treatment. However, although those are available over the counter, you should still speak with a physician, as there may be counter-indications with any medication you are currently taking as well.
Generally speaking, pain in the right arm is not caused by anything sinister. However, when it is caused by more than a simple scratch, burn, or injury, it has the potential to be life threatening. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so seeking medical advice is vital.