Types of Pains That Are Common in HIV Positive People

Types of Pains That Are Common in HIV Positive People
by Cara Smith

People who live with HIV often face chronic pains since there immunity system is fragile, any other outside illness or pain tends to live longer inside the body. The one single rule of HIV is not to get sick while you are sick, as the opportune diseases tends to crack the immunity system twice as much as HIV does. Since chronic pain is the most possible outcome of a HIV, here is a list of types of pain, that an HIV positive person can account for:

Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve damage is the most serious pain one can encounter in HIV. Peripheral Neuropathic pain is generally defined as tingling sensation in nerves, burning and grave numbness in legs, hands or feet. The numbness of either of the symptoms mentioned above, generally gives rise to stress, irritation and causes difficulty while sleeping for the HIV positive individual.

Cure: Since, over the counter products can be used for Peripheral, however, it is advised to use some home remedies like massage with lavender oil, practicing yoga and meditation can eventually help in relieving the pain.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is not surprising in case of an HIV. However, it is important to know the causes of it in order to avoid any complicated situation in future:

Irritable Bowels: Sometimes the digestive tracts faces problems like irritable bowels. The irritation can lead to trouble in sleeping, digestive issues, and mood swings.

Pancreatic Inflammation: Primary cause of pancreatic inflammation is sometimes HIV drugs which unfortunately cannot be avoided. Another contributing factors to the symptom is excessive intake of alcohol and presence of high level of fat in bloodstream.

UTI or Urinary Tract Infection: Tract infection or bladder infection, especially in case of women can cause excessive abdominal pain.

Bacterial Infection: Particularly in case of women, bacteria and parasites can cause serious infection in the vagina area; if neglected this can lead to cancer.

Menstrual Cramps: Menstrual cramps in case of women can worsen and cause more severe abdominal pain. The opening of the womb area i.e. cervix can be greatly affected by severe menstrual cramps.

Muscle and Joint Pain

Since HIV follows a slow growth if continued to be monitored and suppressed with drugs, many times, even a normal muscle or joint pain can become stressful. This pain can range from mild to severe depending upon the patient’s age and stage of HIV in the body.

Other contributing factors that give rise to muscle and joint pain are usage of HIV drugs (a side effect), high cholesterol and other conditions like Hepatitis.

Headache

One of the most excruciating and chronic pain that happens to an HIV positive individual is headache. It can start from a dull ache and increase to a more serious and frequent pattern if left neglected. Headaches usually are a consequence of side effects of HIV drugs.

These mild headaches can also give rise to flu-like illness, muscle tension, stress, insomnia and heart diseases as well. On the other hand, moderate headaches can be a consequence of brain tumor, sinus pressure, tooth infections, migraines, strokes and even bleeding in the brain. To avoid these headaches to increase, an HIV positive individual must practice yoga, meditation or include normal daily exercise, and sleep for around 10 hours daily. It is recommended to keep the stress levels in check and practice good communication with your family and friends in order to keep your mind free from any clogged thoughts.

Many doctors even advice to pursue a hobby of choice like swimming, playing lawn tennis, or jogging in order to keep the mind and body in sync with each other.

Herpes Pain

Just like another sexually transmitted diseases, Herpes if acquired by the body of an HIV positive individual, can cause some serious pain and promote other viral infections. Many doctors have claimed that once acquired, Herpes virus tends to stay inside the body, be it a healthy person or an HIV positive individual. It only is a matter of time, that the virus decides to flare up after a long hiding.

The primary symptoms of Herpes are painful blisters around the mouth region and the genital area. However, if Herpes is treated on time, the individual continues to feel persistent pain as the blisters fade away.

Other Types of Pain:

1. Lung infection: A very common opportune disease, lung infection can give rise to Pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia and chest pain.
2. Mouth Pain: Fungal infections like thrush, and ulcers, also known as canker sores can make an HIV positive individual highly uncomfortable with mouth pain.
3. Fibromyalgia can cause severe chronic pain which if not treated can lead to more serious conditions.

Cancer

According to the HIV Testing website HIVRNATest.com, the chances of an HIV positive individual acquiring cancer is around 50%. Like it is said, an HIV person doesn’t die because of HIV but dies because of other opportune diseases. Cancer is one of the greatest causes of an HIV death. Pain caused by cancer can house anywhere in the body. The identity of cancer pain cannot be detailed since it deeply depends upon type of cancer. The only way to stay clear of any cancer in the body, is to follow good hygiene, avoid drugs usage and alcohol, and also have regular checkups to avoid any late stage confrontation of the infection.

How to Manage Pain in HIV: Pain during HIV can be managed if it is monitored and treated on time. Once the whole characteristic and type of pain is identified, doctors can prescribe suitable remedies and medication to avoid any future complications.

Following factors play an important role in pain management:

1. Short term pain or long term pain
2. Severity and cause of pain
3. Substance abuse, drugs or alcohol.

Pain in HIV is common and treatable as well. All one has to do is to identify the cause of pain. With research advancement in HIV, chronic pain can be managed well if noticed on time. Stay healthy, exercise, meditate and practice yoga to suppress chronic pain.

Cara Smith is a writer/editor with an endless passion for bringing a lot of trustworthy and useful information to the online community. She has been consistently sharing her experience by writing various articles related to health, fitness, pregnancy and STDs. In her free time, Cara  enjoys watching basketball and volunteer in AIDS/HIV education.