When Should I Go To the Doctor?
by Dr. Joe A. Cantu, Charlottesville, VA
What should I tell my Doctor?
When you’re in pain, the only thing that matters is getting out of pain. However, the first step in getting out of pain is often a visit to your personal physician or health care provider. Make sure not to minimize your pain symptoms, even if you feel that they are not related to your condition. Describe what you are feeling in as great a detail as possible. The more information you can provide will help the Doctor better determine a correct diagnosis. Often times, it’s the little details which help such as what time of day or night the pain is most severe. Describing “knife-like” or “crushing” pain versus “dull” or “achy” pain may change the course of action taken by your Doctor. So in order to get the best care, be specific!
Could different health problems mimic spine, arm or leg pain?
The simple answer is yes! You could have pain in your back that has nothing to do with your spine. For instance, low back pain that you think is coming from the joint’s, disc or muscle of your spine may actually be coming from other sources like your heart, kidneys, urinary bladder or reproductive organs.
If you’re having right arm pain, this could actually represent referred pain from a diseased gall bladder. Left arm pain could be a warning sign of a cardiovascular problem. Mid-back pain can originate from gastric reflux or spasm of the esophagus. A severe headache could result from a leaky blood vessel in your head. Pain in both your arms and/or legs, may hint at a systemic problem such as diabetes or inflammatory arthritis.
What are the warning signs of a potentially serious problem?
•
Pain extends into your arm, leg, chest or abdomen
Pain extends into your arm, leg, chest or abdomen•Pain is becoming progressively more severe
Pain is becoming progressively more severe•Development of numbness or tingling sensations
Development of numbness or tingling sensations•Pain worse at rest or pain that wakes you up at night
Pain worse at rest or pain that wakes you up at night•Unable to find a comfortable position due to pain
Unable to find a comfortable position due to pain•Development of a fever
Development of a feverWhat should you consider a medical emergency?
If you experience any of the following, you should seek help immediately:
•Paralysis
Paralysis•Loss of bowel or bladder control
Loss of bowel or bladder control•Blurring of sight or loss of vision
Blurring of sight or loss of vision•Slurred speech
Slurred speech•Chest pain under your breast bone
Chest pain under your breast bone•Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath•A severe, unrelenting headache (worse than you have ever had)
A severe, unrelenting headache (worse than you have ever had)The
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