Act on these pains immediately

Act on these pains immediately
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Pain that signals a life-threatening condition is usually intense, starts abruptly, and is associated with a number of other symptoms and signs. Here are the pain symptoms that require immediate attention.

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A quick-onset headache

A quick-onset headache
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If the pain in your head occurred suddenly and is unbearably bad, you could have a brain aneurysm, a bulge in the wall of an artery. Left untreated, the blood vessel could burst, leading to a potentially fatal stroke or massive brain bleed. Call the ambulance immediately.

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Tooth pain when you drink something cold

Tooth pain when you drink something cold
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If the enamel (the outside layer of your tooth) is damaged or decaying, it can expose the nerve inside your tooth, leaving you with intolerable pain when the area comes into contact with any cold or hot substances. In addition to the sensitivity, an exposed nerve also puts you at risk for a bacterial infection that can spread to other parts of your body. See your dentist if you start experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity.

Pain through the hand, wrist, and forearm

Pain through the hand, wrist, and forearm
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If a pain or numbing sensation affects your fingers (particularly the thumb, index finger, and middle finger), palm and wrist and spreads to the forearm, you could have carpal tunnel syndrome. Left untreated, the hand muscles may shrink and you may even lose function of your hand. Consult your doctor as soon as possible for treatment options.

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Pain that spreads across your chest

Pain that spreads across your chest
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Chest pain is a classic sign of a heart attack, caused by the lack of oxygen reaching your heart. The pain may also move toward your jaw, shoulder, or neck. Call an ambulance immediately.

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Dull pain in the mid-back

Dull pain in the mid-back
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If the pain gets progressively worse and is accompanies by fever and nausea, you could have a kidney infection. See your doctor as soon as possible. The infection could cause permanent damage to the kidneys, blood poisoning, or a complete kidney shutdown.

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Pain that starts in the lower back and affects the legs

Pain that starts in the lower back and affects the legs
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This type of pain is commonly a sign of sciatica, brought on by injury or pressure on the sciatic nerve. Talk to your doctor about pain management and treatment options. If there is also weakness in your legs, loss of bladder sensation, or new urinary incontinence, you could have cauda equina syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause permanent paralysis.

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Pain in the lower right of the gut

Pain in the lower right of the gut
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If you are also experiencing a fever, nausea and/or vomiting, you could have appendicitis. A burst appendix can lead to a potentially life-threatening infection. Visit your doctor, who may send you to the hospital for surgery.

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Pain in the pelvis or abdomen

Pain in the pelvis or abdomen
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Menstrual cramps are normal for many women. If they become continually worse or don’t go away, you could have endometriosis, a condition where tissue that is supposed to grow inside the uterus starts growing outside the uterus. See your Ob-Gyn to get a diagnosis. Not doing so increases your risk of infertility.

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Achy or cramping pain in the leg

Achy or cramping pain in the leg
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If the pain is accompanied by redness, warmth, and swelling, you could have a blood clot known as a deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Visit your doctor, who will arrange for you to have an ultrasound. Do NOT massage the painful area, as this might cause the blood clot to travel to your heart or lungs.

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