Key Warning Signs of Pain You Shouldn't Ignore
Health ConditionsPain Management

6 Types of Pain You Shouldn’t Ignore

Severe pain is trying to tell you about a health problem going on inside your body — paying heed to these warning signs may just save your life.
6 Types of Pain You Shouldn’t Ignore
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Updated on September 23, 2024
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Is your pain serious or nothing to worry about? It can sometimes be challenging to figure this out, especially with so much information available online.

But it's important to understand which types of pain might require medical attention. If you know when you're experiencing severe pain and can spot the signs of a medical emergency you're more likely to seek the necessary treatment you need, improve your chances of recovery, and avoid complications.

 "No severe pain should be ignored," says Catherine Sarkisian, MD, a professor and staff physician at the University of California in Los Angeles's division of general internal medicine and health services research. "But that doesn't mean people should immediately call 911 every time they have pain."

Dr. Sarkisian stresses the importance of having a personal doctor. "I feel strongly that every person should have a primary care physician whom they trust and who knows them. Except in the case of an emergency, people can and should reach out first to their primary care physician who can help them decide if the pain is something that should be evaluated, and with what timeline."

Signs and symptoms accompanying different pain types are also vital in determining how urgently to seek care. Below, we explain what types of pain you shouldn't ignore, what to look out for, and when to seek immediate medical care.

1. Urgent Signs of Chest Pain: When to Seek Medical Attention

Raj Dasgupta, MD, the chief medical adviser for Fortune Recommends Health, explains when to get help for chest pain.

"Get help right away if your chest pain is sudden and intense or feels like pressure, tearing, squeezing, or tightness," he says. "If the pain radiates to your back, arm, neck, or jaw, or if you feel short of breath, sweaty, nauseous, or dizzy, these could be signs of a heart attack or another serious problem."

"If the chest pain is new and unexplained, one should seek immediate attention," adds Sarkisian.

The duration of your pain should also inform the decision you make. According to the National Library of Medicine, chest pain or discomfort lasting two or more minutes is a medical emergency and should be checked out by a healthcare provider.

Still, it's worth remembering that not all chest pain is a sign of a life-threatening condition. According to Cleveland Clinic, there are three ways to tell your chest pain is probably not a heart attack:

  • Your pain lasts for a very short time or less than a couple of minutes.
  • Your pain affects just one small area.
  • Your pain gets better or worse when you change your position.

On the other hand, you should consult your healthcare provider and let them know if you are regularly having these symptoms.

2. Critical Abdominal Pain: Identifying Appendicitis and Gallbladder Disease

Sometimes abdominal pain can be caused by something pretty minor, like indigestion (or dyspepsia).

 "If the pain is the same kind you've had before, and you know it happens every time you eat a certain food, for example, then that wouldn't be considered an emergency," explains Sarkisian.

But "if you're having truly severe pain (as in, you're unable to sit still and writhing in pain) and you don't know what it's from, you should seek healthcare immediately."

How suddenly the pain comes about is also important. A quick onset almost always means it's something serious. Dr. Dasgupta explains: "Abdominal pain needs urgent attention if it's sudden and severe, especially if you also have a fever, vomiting, black or bloody stools, or can't pass gas or have a bowel movement." He also cautions that if the pain spreads to your chest or makes it hard to breathe, you should see a doctor immediately.

Acute and severe abdominal pain may signal a life-threatening problem, such as:

  • A perforated stomach
  • A blockage in the blood flow to the intestine
  • An aneurysm in the aorta that passes through the abdomen

Severe tummy pain can mean other serious disorders, also worthy of immediate attention, like:

  • Appendicitis, which is inflammation or infection of the appendix
  • Pancreatitis, which is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas
  • A blockage in the intestines

3. Painful Urination: Indicators of Urinary Tract Infections and Kidney Stones

Painful urination (or dysuria) can seriously affect your quality of life and well-being, as anyone who's ever had a UTI will tell you.

You should always see a healthcare professional if you're experiencing pain while urinating; prompt medical attention means you can get rid of the pain faster and treat whatever may be causing it.

Common causes of painful urination include:

Sometimes, painful urination can indicate a more serious condition like kidney stones. Look out for the following signs of kidney stones, a condition that requires prompt medical care:

  • Extreme back pain
  • Extreme pain on your side (flank pain)
  • Blood in your urine
  • Fever and chills
  • Vomiting
  • Bad-smelling or cloudy-looking urine
  • A burning sensation when you pee

4. Severe Back Pain: When to Consult a Doctor

Back pain is a common problem among Americans and there are times when you need to be vigilant about getting it treated. "If the back pain is new and there are neurological problems such as new weakness or problems with bowel or bladder function, it makes sense to seek immediate medical attention," says Sarkisian.

"But in most cases, I would say back pain (even severe back pain) is a good example of something one should call their primary care physician about.” Your primary care physician will ask questions and help you decide if you should just give it time, see a specialist or head to the ER.

You should react with urgency if pain has been going on for more than six weeks or is changing or getting worse. Or if new symptoms arise like fever, weight loss, weakness, numbness or tingling, bowel or bladder changes.

These warning signs may signal more severe causes, like nerve damage or kidney stones.

 “If the pain is from an injury or doesn't get better with rest or over-the-counter medicine, it's time to seek medical advice,” Dasgupta explains.

5. Severe Headaches: Recognizing Signs of Serious Conditions

Headaches are painful and for those who experience migraines, they can be debilitating. But even if you typically get headaches, you should seek immediate help when certain situations arise.

"If you experience a severe headache that feels like the worst you've ever had, comes on suddenly, or is accompanied by confusion, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, weakness, or a stiff neck, seek immediate medical attention," advises Dasgupta. "These symptoms could indicate a serious condition, such as a stroke or a ruptured aneurysm," he warns.

Additionally, you should speak with your healthcare provider if you experience persistent headaches, ones that worsen over time or you experience new associated symptoms with your headaches like those mentioned above. Although rare, it could indicate a brain tumor.

6. Leg Pain: Identifying Blood Clots

Leg pain can be due to many factors, such as muscle cramps and strain, dehydration, or an injury.

 Some common causes of leg pain, however, can be quite serious, such as:
"Leg pain might be due to a blood clot if it's sharp, focused on one area, and comes with swelling, redness, or warmth in that spot," says Dasgupta. "If the pain gets worse when you move or you suddenly have trouble breathing, seek help immediately," he says. You should also seek medical attention if:

  • You have a fever.
  • Your leg is black and blue, or cold and pale.
  • You're taking medication that may be causing leg pain.
  • You tried relieving the pain at home, and it didn't help.

Why Seeking Immediate Medical Attention Is Crucial for These Pain Symptoms

Everyone has been in pain at some point; it is the most common reason people see their physician in the United States. It is also a very subjective experience — each person has a different pain tolerance threshold.

But some types of pain, like the six we’ve discussed in this article, necessitate immediate medical attention.

 Promptly seeking treatment from a healthcare provider accelerates your recovery and averts potential complications.

In some cases, acute or severe pain can signal a potentially life-threatening condition. So, knowing the types of pain you shouldn’t ignore is critical.

The Takeaway

Pain is a common occurrence, which can make it challenging to understand when we know that we need immediate care. In general, if someone is having truly severe pain of any kind that is new and there is no explanation for it, they should probably seek immediate attention. This includes chest pain, abdominal pain, or headaches.

It would also help to establish care with a primary care physician. They can help you determine what requires immediate attention.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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