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How often have you ignored persistent back pain or frequent episodes of headache? Would it be wrong to assume that you often overlook cramping pain in the stomach, thinking it is just some mild food poisoning? While in most cases, such symptoms can be benign, it is always wise to get a second opinion from a doctor. Sometimes, pain in the body can be your body’s way of signalling underlying health conditions.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Tejas Shinde, Associate Consultant - Emergency Department, Emergency Medicine Specialist, KJ Somaiya Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, highlights common types of pain that you should never dismiss.
Also Read: Unexpected Ways Your Body Signals A Heart Problem
Chest Pain
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Chest pain is one of the most common and serious symptoms seen in emergency rooms. It may signal a heart attack, angina, Pulmonary Embolism (PE), or even aortic dissection.
Dr Shinde warns, "Chest pain that feels like pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation, particularly if it radiates to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, should never be ignored." "If it’s accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or nausea, it could be a heart attack," he adds.
People with risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease should be especially cautious.
Sudden, Severe Headache
A headache that comes on suddenly and severely could indicate a brain aneurysm, stroke, or bleeding in the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage). Dr Shinde refers to them as "thunderclap headaches".
"If the headache is not typical, accompanied by neck stiffness, vision changes, vomiting, or confusion, it should be handled as a medical emergency," he advises.
Stabbing Abdominal Pain
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According to Dr Shinde, benign abdominal pain is usually mild, transient, and associated with digestion. On the other hand, sharp, lingering, or localised pain, such as in the lower right abdomen (appendicitis) or upper right (gallbladder disease), can be hazardous. These require urgent intervention.
Should pain be followed by fever, vomiting, bloody stool, or bloating, seek immediate medical care.
Back Pain With Neurological Symptoms
In today’s world, back issues have become more common than ever. Young adults, who are always in front of the screens, or working professionals, often complain of back pain accompanied with neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, loss of bowel/bladder control, or leg weakness. If such symptoms arise, it is advisable to seek medical attention, as they can signal spinal cord issues like cauda equina syndrome, a herniated disc pressing on nerves, or infection.
“Sudden tingling or numbness in one side of the body may be an early indicator of stroke or nerve compression. Combined with muscle weakness, slurred speech, or facial droop, it constitutes an emergency,” says Dr Shinde.
Also Read: That One Shoulder Always Feels Tighter? Daily Habits That Might Be Causing It
Pain With Confusion Or Trouble Speaking
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Pain accompanied by confusion, slurred speech, difficulty speaking, vision loss, or muscle weakness could indicate a stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), which is a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours.
Watch out for any sudden onset of neurological symptoms, even if they resolve quickly.
Conclusion
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something may be wrong. Don’t ignore it, especially if it’s sudden, severe, or new to you. When in doubt, it’s always safer to seek medical attention than to wait and see.