Aches and Pains: What's Normal, What's Not 

Pain affects us all, whether it’s minor aches and pains or a chronic, longer-lasting condition. And while we all occasionally have a little twinge here or little ache there — especially as we get older — it's important to know when we can treat it ourselves and when it might be a sign of something serious.

Whenever pain strikes suddenly and there is no obvious explanation, it's hard to avoid worrying that it could be cancer or some other serious condition.

"As a general rule, anything that lasts more than six weeks is a red flag," says Stephanie Haridopolos, M.D., a board-certified family physician in Merritt Island, Fla.   Read more....