190713 Paying attention to the red flags of pain

Paying attention to the red flags of pain

Pain is your body telling you something is not right. Maybe it’s simply a little ache that quickly goes away, but what if it is excruciating. Some pain signs are serious red flags that need to prompt attention by a medical professional. Carefully consideration of these signs may be the step that is necessary to prevent further deterioration of a manageable condition.

An emergency pain signal, one that should get you moving to an emergency department, is one or more of the following symptoms:

 A sudden onset of severe pain that is unrelated to an accident or some other situation that commonly would constitute an accident
 Upper abdominal area or chest pain or pressure
 Having difficulty in breathing or suffering from shortness of breath that is not normal to your situation
 Dizziness, fainting, weakness, particularly if the dizziness and weak condition comes on suddenly
 Sudden severe headache or a change in your vision
 Difficulty in speaking or understanding others
 Confusion or sudden changes in your mental status, a loved one or someone close to you may be the first to notice this change
 Uncontrolled bleeding
 Persistent and severe vomiting or diarrhea
 Coughing blood
 Vomiting blood

Don’t try to tough it out. Get medical help and get it fixed.