When it comes to severe medical situations, emergency medicine doctors see it all. They are the physicians people of all ages rush to when something serious goes wrong. But what exactly does “serious” mean? What kinds of pain warrant a visit to the emergency department? Experts say it is a difficult question to answer.
Pain Severity Varies Widely
“Unfortunately, it can be so variable from patient to patient, and sometimes people that even have minor pain may have something very serious going on. So [pain is] not something that anybody should ignore,” said Dr. Michael Turturro, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Meaning, you should take pain seriously and see a doctor if you have any concerns. It is better to be told nothing is wrong than to regret not seeing a medical professional sooner. Financial considerations may apply, but experts emphasize that certain pains are generally alarming across the board and reason enough for medical attention.
1. Sudden Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
“Generally, pain that is sudden and severe and does not go away is something that should really get your attention,” Turturro said. This applies to pain anywhere on your body, he noted.
A medical professional will need to evaluate the pain to determine if it is serious. If you have a sudden and alarming new pain, it is a good idea to get it checked out. “We’d rather people err on the side of caution,” Turturro added. “If they’re concerned enough that they feel something is not right and they need to be evaluated, then they should be evaluated whether or not it’s related to something serious or not.” For example, new hand pain that came out of nowhere should not be brushed off.
2. Chest Pain
Chest pain is often associated with heart attacks, making it important to take seriously. “Chest pain is definitely a concerning one to us. If people are developing that sudden onset of chest pain, something they’ve never felt before, or they’ve had it before [and] they’ve been told that they have heart problems, they should be checked out sooner rather than later,” said Dr. Mark Conroy, emergency medicine physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Turturro noted that chest pain is particularly worrisome in older people and those with risk factors for heart disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Beyond heart attacks, sharp chest pain could indicate serious issues like a blood clot in the lung or a tear of major vessels in the chest. However, chest pain can also stem from benign causes like heartburn. Since many conditions manifest as chest pain, you should not panic but should see a doctor to determine the cause.
3. Calf Pain Along With Calf Redness
Lower leg pain, specifically in the calf, can be worrisome when accompanied by leg swelling or redness. “I always get concerned that they might have the concerning symptoms for a blood clot, or what we call a DVT, deep venous thrombosis,” Conroy said. “That would be a concerning pain that I would definitely want someone to get seen sooner rather than later for, especially if they recently had surgery and they’ve been just laying in bed, or ... they had a long plane ride recently.”
4. Upper Back Pain That Feels Like a Tearing Sensation
Back pain is common, but a specific type requires immediate attention. If you have upper back pain that feels like a tearing sensation, or a tearing sensation at the back of the chest, you should see a professional as soon as possible. “Having that tearing sensation can represent a problem with the main large blood vessel in your body, called the aorta,” Conroy said.
5. Certain Lower Abdomen Pains
“The abdomen is one of those [pains] I think every emergency physician gets a little bit nervous about because there’s just so many things that can go on,” Conroy said. “So instead of specific conditions, it’s really more, how are the symptoms presenting?”
Abdominal or flank pain (right or left portion of the lower back or lower abdomen) could be concerning for kidney stones, or if accompanied by fevers, a kidney infection. It could also be appendicitis if flank pain comes with nausea and vomiting. Such symptoms warrant a quick doctor visit.
Bottom Line: Any Pain You’re Worried About Is Reason Enough
While going to the doctor or emergency department can feel foreboding, you should never ignore or dismiss your pain. Seeing a doctor about an alarming problem is the best move for your health, even if the pain ends up being nothing. “It may be that you get a brief evaluation, you get some kind of screening labs or screening tests, and hopefully, some reassurance that the worst-case scenario is not what’s going on,” Conroy said.
If cost is a concern, consider visiting urgent care, which tends to be cheaper than an ER, or calling your primary care provider for after-hours or last-minute appointments. However, certain issues require immediate emergency care and are worth the cost for your safety. Urgent care staff or your doctor can help determine if emergency care is needed. If you are unsure, it is best to go to the ER.
