Aches and pains happen to all of us, but there are specific bodily pains that you should never pass off as nothing. They could feel minor, but they might indicate an even bigger problem. Here are 10 types of pain you should never ignore.
Chest pain
You should always tell your doctor about chest pain, no matter if it’s minor or major. Chest pain can be a sign of coronary artery disease or another type of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, “With coronary artery disease, plaque first grows within the walls of the coronary arteries until the blood flow to the heart’s muscle is limited.” This causes pain.
Leg pain
Leg pain can be caused by deep vein thrombosis, a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated. According to OrthoInfo, “Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body.” The clot can travel up the vein and reach your heart, causing complications or blockage.
Severe headache
A sudden, sharp headache should never be ignored because it could be due to a stroke. According to Colleen Doherty, MD of Verywell Health, “People will often describe a stroke headache as the ‘worst of my life’ or say that appeared like a ‘thunderclap’ without warning.”
Sharp abdominal pain
Sharp abdominal pain could be caused by appendicitis, a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention. According to Parswa Ansari, MD, assistant professor and program director in surgery at Northwell Health,“In the United States, appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery.”
Pelvic pain
Acute pelvic pain that worsens during your menstrual cycle should be reported to your gynecologist immediately. It could be a sign of endometriosis. According to Women’s Health, “Endometriosis happens when tissue that is normally on the inside of your uterus or womb grows outside of your uterus or womb where it doesn’t belong.” This condition causes pain and menstrual irregularities.
Tooth pain
Tooth pain – whether from an abscess or a cavity – shouldn’t be ignored, especially if it prevents you from eating. According to MouthHealthy, a website powered by the American Dental Association, “When pus builds up at the root tip in the jaw bone, it forms a pus pocket called an abscess.” A tooth abscess can cause an infection in your jaw bone if left untreated.
Hip pain
Hip pain can be a sign of arthritis or trochanteric bursitis, which can debilitate you and prevent you from doing daily activities. According to OrthoInfo, a resource from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “The main symptom of trochanteric bursitis is pain at the point of the hip.”
Toe pain
Toe pain can occur from an ingrown toenail or gout, a type of arthritis that can happen without warning. According to MayoClinic, “It’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe.”
Knee pain
Knee pain can be a symptom of arthritis or a tear in your meniscus. According to Cedars-Sinai, “Meniscus tears can happen during a rotating movement while bearing weight, such as when twisting the upper leg while the foot stays in one place during sports and other activities.”
Neck pain
Neck pain is debilitating, often caused by a herniated cervical disk or spinal damage. According to Mayfield Brain and Spine in Ohio, “The pain is a result of spinal nerve inflammation and swelling caused by the pressure of the herniated disc.”
Sources:
http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/coronary-artery-disease
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-a-headache-may-be-a-sign-of-a-stroke-1719596
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/acute-abdomen-and-surgical-gastroenterology/appendicitis
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/a/abscess
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/hip-bursitis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/t/torn-meniscus.html
https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-hcdisc.htm
This article is for informative purposes only. Please reach out to a medical professional if you have any symptoms.
