Seven types of pain are not to be ignored. Chest pain betrays heart or lung disease, headaches from menstrual disorders to tumors, sharp low back pain – kidney stones, and leg pain – diabetes or blood clots.
Pain is a state of discomfort through which the body tries to signal a disease. There is a scale of pain – mild, moderate and severe.
The first stage, mild pain corresponds, on a scale of 1 to 10, level 1-3, and is a simple embarrassment. Moderate pain (range 3-7) affects concentration, and severe pain (range 7 to 10) is unbearable.
Here are seven types of pain that should not be ignored and that could hide more serious illnesses.
1. Chest pain
Persistent chest pain occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen and can signal heart problems, in which case the feeling of pressure often extends to the shoulder, left arm, or jaw. A heart attack is not ruled out, especially in those over 40 years of age.
“Chest pain can also signal an intercostal stab (inflammation of the muscles and tendons between the ribs), pneumonia, asthma”, explains Remus Lupu, primary doctor of family medicine.
Sometimes, chest pain (located towards the head of the chest) can also signal digestive problems (ulcer, gallstones, indigestion, burns, gastroesophageal reflux).
2. Severe headache
Persistent headaches can signal menstrual disorders, vision problems, high blood pressure, lack of calcium and magnesium, metabolic disorders, and in extreme cases, an intracranial tumor or an aneurysm.
Severe headache, accompanied by nausea, dizziness, or numbness of the face, can betray a stroke or meningitis (the neck is stiff and photophobia occurs).
Back pain and tingling – neurological diseases
3. Pulsating toothache
If you experience a throbbing toothache, it is very likely that the nerve will be affected.
“In the simplest case, it is a dental abscess, but there are serious situations when the nerve must be removed,” adds doctor Remus Lupu.
Other causes of pain are cavities, gum disease, or the appearance of brain masses.
4. Sharp low back pain
Sharp back pain can signal the presence of kidney stones and other kidney problems (from stones to nephritis), osteoarticular diseases – arthritis, lumbar disc disease and, worse, an aortic aneurysm.
5. Back pain with tingling in the toes
“This type of pain can hide neurological or circulatory disorders, which means that you need to have an X-ray of your spine or be consulted by a neurologist,” recommends doctor Remus Lupu.
The tingling sensation and painful numbness in the legs are caused by poor blood circulation, but if it persists, it may be a sign of nerve damage. This condition has several causes: diabetes, alcohol abuse, vitamin B12 deficiency, shingles, etc.
6. Abdominal discomfort accompanied by gas and bloating
Stomach pain hides either a high-fat diet or eating disorders (colitis) and enzymes, irritable bowel syndrome, liver and pancreas disorders. In extreme cases, it can hide gastric or colorectal cancer.
7. Leg pain in wives of inflammation and swelling
The burning sensation in the soles is a sign of diabetes-peripheral neuropathy.
“Pain located in the thigh or leg can signal an arterial blockage, venous thrombosis – a blood clot in the vein, which can reach the lungs, preventing their oxygenation,” says the doctor.
Swollen legs also signal heart problems, such as cardiomyopathy or heart failure.