Pain is as widely diverse as the individuals experiencing it. Yours may be sharp, dull, aching, constant, intermittent or all the above at one time or another. Because your body uses pain to issue a warning that something has gone wrong, it’s only natural to wonder when, if, why to call the doctor. The answer? It depends on the pain.
Widely recognized for his medical skill and dedication to his patients, Teddrick Dunson, MD is a pain management specialist who leads our team at Thrive Pain Management in Irving, Texas. He’s happy to provide insight regarding pain and when it may be time to schedule a visit with your doctor.
Understanding types of pain
Physicians rate pain according to its severity on a scale of 1-10 and its characteristics, i.e. sharp, dull, burning, etc. It’s also important to identify how long the pain has lasted.
Acute pain is that which occurs suddenly, peaks, and then resolves over a period of days to weeks. The pain you feel when you suffer a cut, for instance, is acute and typically fades as the wound heals.
Chronic pain is that which becomes long-term and can interfere with your ability to complete your activities of daily living. Degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, nerve damage linked to diabetes, various cancer treatments, etc. can lead to chronic pain.
When pain becomes an emergency
Never ignore chest pressure, pain, tightness, or other symptoms that can signal a heart attack. Seek immediate medical care. Intense abdominal pain or any pain that is severe or accompanied by a fever or obvious swelling/deformity in the painful area also requires immediate medical attention.
When to schedule an appointment
At Thrive Pain Management, we encourage you to call whenever you’re concerned about pain. There are a few factors, though, that may help guide your decision.
First consider the source of the pain, its severity and its impact on your daily activities. Muscle soreness after a new or heavy workout, for instance, is generally temporary and even expected.
On the other hand, pain that typically requires or benefits from medical attention includes:
- Pain that occurs in an area of previous injury or surgery
- Pain that is constant and/or increases in severity
- Pain that does not resolve with home-care measures such as ice, over-the-counter pain relievers, etc.
- Pain that interferes with your ability to work, sleep, or accomplish routine daily activities
- Sharp pain during an activity or exercise routine that decreases your ability to move a body part
- Pain that radiates or travels, i.e. starts in your lower lower back and moves down your legs
- Pain that lasts longer than expected following a surgical procedure or other medical treatment
Whatever its source, there’s no reason to live with pain.
Schedule an appointment at Thrive Pain Management today for an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing your pain and state-of-the-art care designed to relieve your symptoms.
