What Illness Is Causing Your Pain

Author: Analgesia team

• What Illness Is Causing Your Pain

Last Updated on November 12, 2025 by Analgesia team

Cancer

Pain is a common symptom of cancer and can be caused by the cancer itself, treatments, or diagnostic tests. Pain can be caused by several factors, including:

• Tumors: Tumors can compress or infiltrate nearby body parts.
• Treatments: Cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy can damage body tissue and nerves. 
• Diagnostic procedures: Diagnostic procedures can cause pain. 
• Hormone imbalances: Hormone imbalances can cause skin, nerve, and other changes that lead to pain.
• Immune response: An immune response can cause pain.
• Emotions: Feelings of anxiety or depression can make pain worse. 
• Social or work pressures: Social or work pressures can make pain worse.

However, many people with cancer do not have pain. This is because cancers don’t have any nerves of their own. The pain comes from a tumor pressing on nerves nearby. Pain is more likely with advanced cancer. Advanced cancer means the cancer has spread or come back since it was first treated. As Cancer Research UK would put it, research shows that 55 out of 100 people with advanced cancer (55%) have pain. What is typical about cancer pain is that each patient needs a personal plan to control the pain.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS)

MS can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including vision impairment, numbness, tingling, weakness, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. There is no cure for MS, but treatments can help slow the disease, control symptoms, and maintain quality of life.

The most common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include feeling extremely tired, muscle cramps, spasms, and stiffness, sexual problems, including a dry vagina or erection problems, numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body and issues with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye pain.

Treatment for multiple sclerosis focuses on three main goals — managing relapses, slowing disease progression, and easing day-to-day symptoms. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) such as interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, and newer oral agents like fingolimod or dimethyl fumarate help reduce the frequency and severity of relapses. Corticosteroids are often prescribed during acute flare-ups to control inflammation. Supportive therapies — including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and medications for fatigue, muscle spasms, and bladder problems — also play a key role in maintaining mobility and independence.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammatory pain. Arthritis is a common condition that causes joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It can affect people of all ages, including children. Arthritis can affect any joint, but it’s most common in the hands, wrists, knees, hips, feet, ankles, shoulders, and lower back. Around 10 million people in the UK Live with Arthritis, affecting people of all ages.

There are tens of types of Arthritis, but we will discuss only the most common types:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It’s the most common type of arthritis in the UK. Some of the symptoms include crackling or grating noise when moving the affected joint, tenderness, and swelling. Age, Obesity, and Family history are some of the causes of Osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy joint tissue. This results in painful, swollen, and stiff joints, often in a symmetrical pattern on both sides of the body. RA can also affect other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and blood. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of function, fatigue, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite. The affected areas are most commonly the hands and wrists, but they can also affect any joint

Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects joints (such as the knees or those in the hands and feet) as well as areas where tendons join to bone (such as the heel and lower back). Psoriatic arthritis normally occurs after developing skin psoriasis, but some do develop arthritis before they notice any psoriasis on their skin. Psoriatic arthritis is a type of disease that causes pain in the legs and joints. Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) affects men and women equally. It usually develops after age 30. Psoriasis and PsA both run in families; it is more common in whites than in other races/ethnicities. The disease may begin in childhood. 

Gout: Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by crystals of uric acid in the joints. These crystals can trigger sudden attacks of swelling, heat, and redness in the joints, which can be excruciatingly painful and disabling. During an attack, the joints may be so sore that even the lightest touch, such as bedclothes, can be unbearable. The symptoms include sore, red, swollen, tender, and hot joints that can come on rapidly. The cause has been linked to a buildup of urate in the body, which can be caused by the body making too much urate or removing too little.

Sickle Cell Disease

Pain in Sickle cell can be underestimated but may be very severe. A sickle cell crisis, also known as a pain crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis (VOE), is a sudden and severe episode of pain that occurs when red blood cells block blood flow in people with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease is a collective term for a group of lifelong blood disorders. It is a genetic disorder, meaning a person is born with it and inherits it from their parents. Sickle cell disease can affect anyone, but in the UK, it’s more common in people with African and Caribbean backgrounds. People with Sickle cell disease have sickle-shaped Haemoglobin(HBs), which makes it hard for oxygen to be transported smoothly in their bodies. This feature is largely responsible for the various symptoms and complications of sickle cell disease.

Managing a sickle cell crisis is all about controlling pain, staying hydrated, and preventing complications. Crises can vary in intensity — some are mild enough to handle at home, while others require hospital care. Knowing what to do early can make a big difference.

At home

For people familiar with their typical pain patterns, mild episodes can often be managed safely at home.

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to thin the blood and reduce cell clumping.
• Use prescribed painkillers: Paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a codeine-based medicine like Co-codamol 30/500 can help relieve moderate pain. Always follow the prescribed dose.
• Apply warmth: Use a warm compress or take a warm bath to improve blood flow and ease muscle tension.
• Rest and relaxation: Avoid physical stress or sudden temperature changes. Resting helps the body recover faster.
• Track your symptoms: Keep a pain diary to recognise when a crisis is getting worse or when it’s time to seek medical care.

---

In hospital

If pain becomes severe, or if new symptoms appear — such as chest pain, breathlessness, fever, or confusion — urgent hospital care is needed.

• Stronger pain relief: Opioid medications like morphine or diamorphine are often given under supervision to manage severe pain.
• Intravenous (IV) fluids: To rehydrate and restore circulation.
• Oxygen therapy: If oxygen levels drop, supplemental oxygen can help prevent further sickling.
• Antibiotics: If infection is suspected, prompt treatment prevents complications like acute chest syndrome.
• Blood transfusion: In severe or recurrent crises, transfusions help replace sickled cells with normal red blood cells, improving oxygen delivery.

---

Long-term management

Preventing crises is just as important as treating them.

• Take prescribed medications regularly, such as hydroxyurea, which reduces sickling and the frequency of painful episodes.
• Stay up to date with vaccinations to prevent infections that can trigger crises.
• Avoid known triggers like dehydration, cold exposure, and extreme exertion.
• Schedule regular follow-ups with your haematologist for monitoring and support.

Diabetes

Diabetes can cause pain in several ways, including nerve damage, joint pain, and abdominal pain. Pain caused by Diabetes is referred to as Diabetic Neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and other sensations in the hands, feet, and legs. It’s caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the nerves that supply the body. Symptoms usually start in the feet and spread up the legs. Pain from diabetic neuropathy can be worse at night and disrupt sleep

Chronic abdominal pain can be a complication of diabetes. It can be caused by neuritis, motor diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, or autonomic dysfunction.

There are three main types of diabetes, each with its own cause and management approach — but they all share the same goal: controlling blood sugar to prevent complications like diabetic neuropathy and chronic pain.

1. Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It usually starts in childhood or early adulthood. Management relies on daily insulin therapy, blood glucose monitoring, and a balanced diet to maintain stable sugar levels.

2. Type 2 diabetes
The most common form, Type 2 diabetes, is often linked to lifestyle factors like obesity, poor diet, and inactivity. The body either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough. Treatment focuses on dietary changes, regular exercise, weight management, and oral medications such as metformin. Some people eventually need insulin injections.

3. Gestational diabetes
This type develops during pregnancy when hormonal changes affect insulin use. It usually resolves after birth, but it increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Management includes blood sugar monitoring, a healthy eating plan, and regular physical activity.

---

Effective diabetes management helps prevent or delay nerve damage, blood vessel problems, and chronic pain. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, avoiding smoking, and keeping up with routine check-ups are essential to protect nerve health and overall well-being.

Shingles

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate years later, often when the immune system is weakened.

Pain is the first and most prominent symptom of shingles. It can feel like a burning, throbbing, or stabbing sensation that starts a few days before the rash appears. The rash typically forms as clusters of fluid-filled blisters along one side of the body, following the path of a nerve. Even light touch or clothing can trigger intense pain in the affected area.

For most people, the pain eases as the rash heals. However, in some cases, the nerve damage from the infection causes postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) — persistent pain that can last for months or even years after the rash disappears. PHN pain may be sharp, burning, or electric-like, often severe enough to disturb sleep, concentration, and daily activities.

Treatment focuses on pain relief and nerve healing. Antiviral medicines such as acyclovir or valacyclovir can shorten the duration of the infection if started early. For PHN, doctors may recommend nerve pain medicines like gabapentin or pregabalin, topical lidocaine patches, or low-dose antidepressants to reduce nerve sensitivity. Maintaining a healthy immune system and getting the shingles vaccine can help prevent recurrence and long-term nerve pain.

AIDS

Pain is a common and treatable problem for people with HIV/AIDS. It can be caused by several factors, including the virus itself, the body’s immune response, ageing, and side effects of medications. Pain can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

• HIV neuropathy: This can affect the nerves in the hands, feet, and limbs, causing pain, numbness, unusual sensations, and muscle weakness. 
• Inflammatory responses: The virus and the body’s immune response can cause pain through inflammation. 
• Musculoskeletal pain: This is a type of non-neuropathic pain that can occur in people with HIV. 
• Flu-like symptoms: Joint and muscle pain can be a symptom of early HIV, along with fever, headache, and sore throat.

Pain can have a significant impact on quality of life, mobility, mental health, and medication adherence. However, it’s often undertreated and underreported by patients and physicians. Patients may hesitate to report pain because they believe it’s a normal part of having HIV.

There are several ways to manage pain associated with HIV, which include pain medications, non-medicinal therapies, non-drug pain relief therapies, etc.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation and sometimes permanent tissue damage

Common symptoms include: 

Sores in the nose and mouth, joint pain or swelling, muscle pain and weakness, fever, sun sensitivity, red rash (such as “butterfly” rash on the nose and cheeks), and swollen lymph nodes. Anyone can get lupus, but women are about nine times more likely to be affected than men. It’s most common in people between the ages of 15 and 45, but it can occur at any age

Stomach Ulcer

Pain from a stomach ulcer can feel like a gnawing or burning in the abdomen and can radiate to the neck, belly button, or back. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours and often starts a few hours after eating. Some people with stomach ulcers wake up in pain during the night. 

However, not all stomach ulcers cause pain, and some may only be noticed when there’s a complication, like bleeding. Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms and may heal on their own. 

Antacids can temporarily relieve the pain, but the pain will return if the ulcer isn’t treated. A doctor may recommend antacids or alginates to neutralise stomach acid and relieve symptoms. 

Some lifestyle factors, like smoking, drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, and untreated stress, may make stomach ulcer symptoms worse

Headaches Including Migraine

Some people get migraine headaches after head trauma or a brain injury. Several different brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) are involved in triggering and perpetuating the migraine attack. Inflammatory changes develop around blood vessels, and there are alterations in blood flow to the brain. The usual electrical activity of the brain may change. This complex sequence of events causes the pain and the other symptoms associated with migraine.

A migraine is a type of headache that can cause moderate to severe pain on one side of the head, along with other symptoms. One of these symptoms is pain. A throbbing or pulsating pain that can be aggravated by physical activity
It can last from 4 hours to 3 days or more. Other symptoms associated with migraine are Nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound, sweating, poor concentration, feeling hot or cold, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and dizziness.
Some people get migraines almost every day, while others get them once or twice a year

Migraines can be caused by a mix of genes, and women are about three times more likely to experience them than men. Hormonal factors may play a role, and some women experience migraines around the time of their period, when taking oral contraceptives, or during menopause.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain in the sciatic nerve or its associated nerve roots. The pain can feel like a dull ache, tingling, burning, or jolt, and can range from mild to severe enough to make it hard to move. It can occur anywhere along the nerve pathway, but is most common in the lower back, buttocks, and back of the thigh and calf. 

Here are some common symptoms of sciatica:

• Pain that’s worse after sitting or standing or during certain times of the day 
• Pain that’s worse when coughing, sneezing, or laughing 
• Pain that’s worse when bending backwards or walking more than a few yards 
• Pain that’s worse when straining or holding your breath 
• Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the leg or foot 

Sciatica can be caused by a number of things, including spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. 

For most people, sciatica symptoms improve over a few weeks. To help with pain, you can try: