Is it serious? Understanding pain and when to take action -The Standard Health

Pain is a common symptom in the medical world. It is described as a highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by injury or some form of illness. From a medical standpoint, pain is an indicator that something is wrong and requires attention. There are many categorisations of pain, but the bottom line is usually the same: if you experience pain of such intensity that it bothers you, medical evaluation is generally advised.

Emergency physicians see many patients with pain and are quick to advise on the types of pain that should warrant immediate attention. At the top of the list is sudden and severe pain that doesn’t ease off. It doesn’t matter where the pain originates; it is even more concerning if it’s the kind of pain you’ve never experienced before. A thorough medical evaluation will typically identify the cause of the pain, sometimes uncovering a serious issue and other times revealing no cause for grave concern.

Chest pain is almost synonymous with heart attacks, especially in older individuals or those already suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Acute chest pain or exacerbations of any lingering chronic pain must be taken seriously. Urgent medical review is usually necessary. Yes, other conditions can mimic heart-related chest pain, but the urgency of excluding and promptly addressing a heart attack often justifies quick action.

Leg pains are common and are mostly associated with physical activities, strenuous exercise, or minor muscular ailments. However, any pain along the calf muscles, especially if accompanied by redness of the overlying skin, could signal a more serious condition. These symptoms may be indicative of a blood clot, known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT). It is advisable to seek an evaluation sooner rather than later, as such clots may dislodge and travel to vital organs, such as the heart or lungs, turning into a more serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

Then, there are upper back pains and lower abdominal pains. It is common to experience back pain for many benign reasons. However, sudden upper back pain with a tearing sensation may be due to a rupture of the major blood vessel called the aorta. Without urgent medical intervention, this can often result in a fatal outcome. The lower abdomen houses many organs, and experiencing severe lower abdominal pain often requires immediate attention to rule out a range of emergency medical conditions.

Sudden or lingering pain that catches your attention should never be ignored. Often, there will be nothing serious to worry about. However, lives are constantly being saved in emergency departments when patients present with painful conditions that could be lethal if prompt medical intervention is not provided.