Everyone experiences and deals with pain in their own way. Some people rush to the emergency room every time they get a headache, while others refuse to see a doctor when they are clearly experiencing great pain. Ideally, you should strive to strike a balance between these two extremes. Toughing it out through certain types of pain can be dangerous (and even deadly).
Here are four pains that you should never ignore. If you are experiencing any of these pains, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Chest Pain
Pain in your chest can be a sign of many things, including:
- Heart Attack
- Heart Disease
- And more
It could also just be the worst heartburn of your life, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution considering the deadly possibilities.
Severe Stomach or Abdominal Pain
Intense stomach pain can indicate a bevy of problems such as:
- Ulcers
- Gallbladder issues
- Appendix issues
Pain from an infected appendix is especially dangerous. If you ignore it too long, the appendix is likely to burst, leading to even more intense pain, and even death in the worst-case scenario.
Burning Feet
If you feel a burning sensation in your feet, it could be a sign of diabetes or diabetic neuropathy. If not treated quickly, amputation may be necessary.
Intense Headache
Headaches are a common ailment. They can accompany colds and sinus infections, or be associated with a more serious condition like:
- Post-concussion headaches
- Brain aneurysm
- Brain tumor
A good rule of thumb is that is you feel like you’re having the worst headache you’ve ever had get it checked out, especially if you can’t pinpoint what exactly caused the headache.
These pains can all be signs of serious underlying health issues. Pain is your body’s way of communicating to you that something is wrong. Don’t ignore these signals – listen to your body and address pain as it arises.