Pains You Should Not Ignore

Rebecca Lewis January 31, 2014

Nobody wants to experience pain but it’s the body’s way of telling something is wrong. A lot of people choose to ignore pain or simply cover it up by taking prescription pills. Whilst most types of pain are easily treated, some pains are of serious causes and really need your attention.

Chest pain and discomfort

Most heart conditions are characterised by discomfort not pain. People suffering from cardiovascular problems often report feeling ‘pressure’ in their chest, as if there’s an ‘elephant’ sitting on it. The discomfort may also be felt in the throat, jaw, left shoulder or arm, or abdomen and can be accompanied by nausea. Intermittent discomfort should be taken seriously. Heart attack is one of the most common causes of disability and early death.

Worst headache

We all experience headaches. It can be a symptom of flu, stress, vision problem and some other conditions. But if you have been through the most painful headache in your life, you should consider seeing your GP. Severe head pain can be a sign of brain haemorrhage or tumour. Unless you are sure what caused it, there’s nothing wrong with seeing your doctor.

Burning feet or legs

Burning or tingling sensations in the lower extremities, such as the legs and feet, could be symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, which is an early sign of diabetes. This condition results from the damage in the peripheral nerves. Other symptoms include numbness, loss of co-ordination in the affected areas, and muscle weakness. Peripheral neuropathy may also be caused by other conditions, such as viral infection, or as a side effect of certain medications.

Calf pain

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that can occur in the leg’s deep veins. It can break loose and cause pulmonary embolism or a clot in the lungs, which can be very fatal. People with cancer, older adults, obese individuals, pregnant women, and those experiencing immobility due to prolonged bed rest are at risk of DVT.

Unexplained pain

Vague, combined and unexplained pains that have no medical diagnosis can be a sign of depression. Many depressed individuals experience pain that is chronic and terribly debilitating. Sometimes they experience headache, other times back pain. Of course, some other symptoms should be considered before diagnosis of depression can be made. These include feelings of helplessness and sadness lasting for weeks, problems with sleep, fatigue and anxiety.

Severe abdominal pain

Severe abdominal pain can be a sign of problems with the pancreas and gallbladder, stomach ulcer, stomach blockages, and appendicitis. All these conditions need immediate medical attention.

Back pain

Back pain can be a symptom of stress, but it can be a sign of more serious health problems. One example is the aortic dissection, which comes with a sudden severe pain characterised as ‘ripping’. High blood pressure, diabetes and circulatory problems could increase the risk of aortic dissection.

By paying attention to what your body feels, you have a great chance of preventing serious health problems or having them treated successfully.