Health Sign #6: Neck/Shoulder Pain

Do-It-Yourself diagnosis is usually a pretty bad idea; that is, unless you just so happen to have the letters M.D. that appear at the end of your signature. But for those of us without years of medical school under our belt, assuming that a particular pain, dysfunction, or even blotchy patch of skin is nothing to be concerned about can sometimes be a highly problematic for our health.

The British edition of Men's Health addresses the self-diagnosis problem in the article "7 Deadly Signs," describing how minor symptoms may actually signal major health hazards. Over the next seven days, we will provide a daily summary of one of the various aches and pains that may be indicative of a greater problem, illustrating the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with your physician and why DIY diagnosis can sometimes be dangerous.

Health Sign #6: Neck/Shoulder Pain

Could Possibly Be: Lyme Disease

If you've recently spent some time in the woods, there's a chance a small stowaway may have hitched a ride on your body. And, because ticks can oftentimes be very difficult to spot, many cases of Lyme disease are only reported once symptoms -- such as those mentioned above -- manifest. Men's Health reports that headaches, muscle aches, and red lesions are also signs of Lyme Disease. Treatment comes in the form of antibiotics. But left untreated, severe cases of Lyme Disease can sometimes result in meningitis, facial palsy, and severe arthritis.

Links to:
Health Sign #1: Pain in Your Foot
Health Sign #2: Back Pain
Health Sign #3: Leg Pain
Health Sign #4: Diarrhea
Health Sign #5: Erectile Dysfunction