Everyone feels aches and pains at one time or another. An active lifestyle can overtax muscles and strain joints, especially as you grow older. But when you experience certain types of pain, you shouldn’t dismiss it. Pain in certain areas of your body can signal serious issues that need medical attention.
Back Pain
The human back consists of a complex arrangement of muscles, tendons, bones, and nerves. The spine is especially sensitive, however, and can be prone to injury and conditions such as arthritis, disc problems, and osteoporosis. All of these conditions may require treatment.
Back pain can also be caused by medical problems in other areas of the body. Pain from kidney stones or kidney infections is often felt in the back. For women, endometriosis, a disease causing inflammation of the uterus, can cause back pain.
Tooth Pain
You may be tempted to ignore sensitive and mild pain in a tooth, hoping that it will go away soon. Sometimes the pain does subside, but that doesn’t mean the underlying problem has ended.
Sometimes tooth pain can be a sign of decay and the tooth will need to be extracted. Seeing your dentist at the first sign of tooth pain can prevent more serious problems from developing. Regular dental cleanings, along with fluoride treatments and other preventative care, can help you maintain dental health and avoid pain.
Belly Pain
It’s common to experience a tummy ache or indigestion now and then, but if the pain is severe or persistent, it’s time to see a doctor. Pain can be a sign of serious disease that could need urgent treatment. If your pain is accompanied by fever, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits, and it doesn’t go away in a few days, you need a diagnosis and treatment.
Mild to moderate pain that lasts for several weeks can also indicate problems such as gallstones, kidney stones, ulcers, diverticulitis or a chronic condition such as Crohn’s disease. If the pain is affecting your appetite or keeps you awake at night, you should not ignore it.
Many people grow up thinking they should be tough and endure life’s aches and pains. “Walk it off,” they’re told. But sometimes being stoic to pain can be a mistake. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. Don’t suffer in silence; find out what’s going on.
Check out this article on how to overcome obstacles to getting enough exercise!
