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Health Guidance

When to See a Doctor for Pain: Warning Signs

While OTC pain relievers handle most common aches, certain types of pain require medical attention. Know the red flags that should prompt a doctor visit.

Updated
6 min read
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are effective for a wide range of everyday aches and pains. However, pain is also the body's warning system, and some types of pain signal conditions that require professional medical evaluation. Knowing when to self-treat and when to seek care can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a medical emergency. ## General Guidelines for Seeing a Doctor As a rule of thumb, you should consult a healthcare provider if pain persists for more than 10 days despite OTC treatment, if pain is severe enough to interfere with sleep, work, or daily activities, if pain is getting progressively worse rather than better, if pain is accompanied by other concerning symptoms (fever, weight loss, numbness), or if you find yourself needing pain medication daily for an extended period. ## Emergency Warning Signs Certain types of pain require immediate emergency care. Chest pain or pressure, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw, can indicate a heart attack. Sudden, severe headache that is unlike any headache you have ever experienced (often described as a thunderclap) can indicate a brain hemorrhage or aneurysm. Severe abdominal pain that is sudden in onset, persistent, and accompanied by fever or vomiting may indicate appendicitis, pancreatitis, or a bowel obstruction. Pain after an injury with visible deformity, inability to bear weight, or significant swelling requires urgent evaluation for fractures or other structural damage. Severe back pain with loss of bladder or bowel control is a medical emergency called cauda equina syndrome that requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage. ## Headache Red Flags While most headaches are benign and respond to OTC medication, certain features should prompt medical evaluation. See a doctor for headaches that are the worst of your life, change in character or frequency over time, are triggered by coughing, straining, or exertion, are accompanied by fever and stiff neck (possible meningitis), are associated with visual changes, confusion, or weakness, or occur after head trauma. ## Back Pain Red Flags Back pain is extremely common and usually resolves with time and OTC management. However, seek medical attention if back pain radiates down your legs below the knee, is accompanied by numbness or weakness in the legs, causes difficulty with bladder or bowel function, is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, or follows a significant trauma or fall. ## Joint Pain Red Flags Joint pain is common, particularly with aging, but certain features warrant medical evaluation. A joint that is hot, red, and significantly swollen may indicate infection (septic arthritis), which is a medical emergency. Joint pain accompanied by fever and rash could indicate an autoimmune condition. Sudden onset of severe joint pain, particularly in the big toe, may be gout. ## When OTC Medications Are Not Working If you find that OTC pain relievers are not providing adequate relief, this itself is a reason to see a healthcare provider. Your doctor can investigate the underlying cause of your pain, offer prescription-strength options, refer you to specialists, and recommend non-medication approaches like physical therapy. Masking persistent pain with increasing doses of OTC medication without understanding the cause can delay diagnosis of treatable conditions. ## What to Tell Your Doctor When you see a doctor for pain, be prepared to describe when the pain started and what triggered it, the location, intensity (on a scale of 1-10), and character (sharp, dull, burning, throbbing), what makes it better or worse, what medications you have tried and their effects, and how the pain affects your daily life. *This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.*

Sources & References

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    NIH - MedlinePlus: PainAccessed 2025-01-15

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