Is it serious? Understanding pain and when to take action

Is it serious? Understanding pain and when to take action (Photo: iStock)

Pain is a common symptom in the medical world. It is described as a highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by injury or some form of illness. From a medical standpoint, pain is an indicator that something is wrong and requires attention. There are many categorisations of pain, but the bottom line is usually the same: if you experience pain of such intensity that it bothers you, medical evaluation is generally advised.

Emergency physicians see many patients with pain and are quick to advise on the types of pain that should warrant immediate attention. At the top of the list is sudden and severe pain that doesn't ease off. It doesn't matter where the pain originates; it is even more concerning if it's the kind of pain you've never experienced before. A thorough medical evaluation will typically identify the cause of the pain, sometimes uncovering a serious issue and other times revealing no cause for grave concern.