It can be difficult to know when pain is something that will go away by itself or when it is serious enough to warrant a visit to a doctor. Most of us don’t want to waste a doctor’s precious time but failing to get help when it is needed means that you could be suffering needlessly. It could also mean that a serious issue is going unresolved. So, when is pain serious enough for you to get medical help? After all, everyone’s pain threshold is different, and what might be manageable for one person may be unbearable for another.
How to Tell if Pain is Serious
In most cases, pain associated with a serious condition will be accompanied by other symptoms. For example, if you have shortness of breath or chest pain that is accompanied by a tight feeling or nausea, it could be a sign of a heart attack.
Lower back pain accompanied by a loss of bladder control could mean nerve compression in the spine. This might also cause a numbness in the groin area or a weak feeling in the legs.
If the pain is located in your head and you have other symptoms such as limited mobility, slurred speech, or a drooping face, you could be having a stroke and need urgent medical attention.
Pain that does not go away with medication or that appears to be getting worse should also be checked out by a medical professional.
When Do You Need Pain Management?
Pain is not always an indicator of a life-threatening situation, but it can be persistent and debilitating enough to affect your daily routine. If you are experiencing pain over a prolonged period, whether it is consistent or comes and goes, it is usually classed as chronic pain. It may be caused by a condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, but sometimes chronic pain that was caused by an illness or injury lingers even though the individual has recovered from the illness or injury.
If you have pain that is affecting your ability to lead a normal life and are unable to sleep, or if over-the-counter medications are not working, you may need to see a specialist who can help you manage the pain. These specialists are known as pain management doctors and they usually work at pain clinics such as KindlyMD, a clinic based in Utah.
How Can Pain Doctors Help?
Pain doctors are specialists in their field and have extensive knowledge and skills when it comes to diagnosing the cause of both acute and chronic pain. These doctors look at more than just the physical symptoms that accompany the pain. They will have an in-depth consultation with their patient during which, they will address a range of issues including physical, psychological, and social factors.
A pain doctor will want to know as much as possible about a person’s pain and how it is affecting their health as well as emotional and mental well being. They will ask questions about the type of pain, how long the patient has had it, where in the body it is usually located, and how severe it is. They will discuss lifestyle and diet too as sometimes chronic pain can be caused by something as simple as poor posture or an unhealthy lifestyle.
Pain doctors devise care plans that are designed to tackle the patient as a whole. Rather than simply prescribing medication to deal with the symptoms, the pain management doctor will attempt to address the root cause of the problem and help the patient to manage the pain with a view to getting back to a normal life.