When Should I Go to the ER When in Pain?

Have you ever been in pain but had no idea if it was an emergency or not? This article will outline the different types of pain and their levels. That way, you can identify if you need to go to an emergency room or take OTC medications for pain management. Describing your pain levels is not an easy task. Different health conditions involve similar types of pain. Furthermore, the intensity of pain may differ between people. This subjective nature makes it difficult for you to differentiate between mild and severe pain. Even if you find it difficult to explain your pain, the emergency room doctor needs details, so they can diagnose the underlying condition. Consequently, you should have enough knowledge to describe your pain for proper treatment. Remember to visit the emergency room if your pain severity affects the quality of life.

What is Pain?

Medically speaking, pain sensation is uncomfortable, but it’s a sign that you are suffering from an illness or injury. In simple words, pain is a signal that indicates something wrong with your body. Your brain triggers the pain response to notify that you are performing an activity that is hurting the body. For instance, when you touch something hot, you feel the pain in the location of contact. In response, you try to keep your skin cold by applying ice. Also, if you are walking, regardless of an injured ankle, your brain will send signals to immediately stop.

Different Types of Pain

1. Acute Pain

Acute pain is a sudden pain you will experience in the short term. A common cause of acute pain is tissue injury. This pain may last for few months, but you may experience pain once in a while. You can relieve acute pain by treating the underlying condition. Acute pain will start out intense and sharp, but it will gradually improve. If you immediately experience acute pain, you need to head to the emergency room. The ER doctor will diagnose your pain and identify the underlying condition. They will provide appropriate treatment offering relief from the pain. Here are some common causes of acute pain:

• Surgery

• Broken bones

• Cuts

• Labor and childbirth

• Dental work

• Burns

1. Chronic Pain

Unlike acute pain, chronic pain will not improve with time. Even after treating the underlying condition, you will experience pain. This pain will last longer than six months. Chronic pain may range from mild to severe. The level of pain may also change over time. However, this type of pain will last years. In the United States, more than 50 million adults suffer from chronic pain. 

You may develop chronic pain because of damage, injury, or illness. But, it is possible that you may experience chronic pain without any apparent cause. If you fail to manage the pain appropriately, it will affect your quality of life. That’s why people suffering from chronic pain also develop depression or anxiety. Here are some symptoms of chronic pain:

• Limited mobility

• Lack of energy

• Tense muscles

Here are some common chronic pain examples:

• Low back pain

• Frequent headaches

• Nerve damage pain

• Arthritis pain

• Fibromyalgia pain

1. Nociceptive Pain

This type of pain can be acute or chronic. If you suddenly experience nociceptive pain, you need to rush to the emergency room. Due to the stimulation of nociceptors, you will experience this pain. Nociceptors are the pain receptors that trigger pain in the event of tissue injury. Nociceptors are spread throughout the body, but they are most commonly present in the skin and internal organs. External injury, including a cut on the skin with a knife, will trigger these receptors. The signal stimulated through these receptors reaches the brain. As a result, you feel the pain. You may feel this type of pain for inflammation or injury. 

1. Visceral Pain

You will experience visceral pain because of damage or injury to the internal organs. The pain occurs in the trunk region, including your abdomen, chest, and pelvis. You might find it hard to identify the exact location of the pain. If you are suffering from visceral pain, you need to head to the nearest emergency room. When the doctor asks about your pain, you can describe it as:

• Cramping

• Squeezing

• Aching

• Pressure

Other than that, you may also feel vomiting or nausea. This pain will elevate your body temperature, blood pressure, and heartbeat. Here are some examples of visceral pain:

• Irritable bowel

• Appendicitis

• Gallstones

1. Somatic Pain

Somatic pain occurs due to pain receptors in the tissues. This condition does not relate to internal organs. For instance, it arises in your joints, muscles, skin, bones, and connecting tissues. You can easily pinpoint the exact location of somatic pain. In contrast, it is not possible to identify the location with visceral pain. 

Your somatic pain may be acute or chronic. If you are suffering from acute somatic pain, visit the nearest emergency room. Suffering from somatic pain, you will experience a gnawing or aching sensation. You can further classify this type of pain as superficial or deep. For instance, if you have pain because of a tear in a tendon, it is deep somatic pain. On the other hand, your pain is superficial if you have a canker sore on the inner cheek. Here are some examples of somatic pain:

• Strained muscles

• Bone fracture

• Bones and skin cancers

• Osteoporosis or other connective tissue diseases

• Arthritis pain or other joint pain

• Burns, scrapes, and skin cuts.

1. Neuropathic Pain

When you experience dysfunction or damage to your nervous system, it can result in neuropathic pain. Because of damaged nerves, your brain will receive false signals of pain sensations. There is no proper reason for pain development. When your nerves are sensitive, you will feel pain in response to unusual things, including clothes or air touching the skin. There are two types of neuropathic pain; acute neuropathic pain and chronic neuropathic pain. If you suddenly develop neuropathic pain, you need to visit the emergency room. Here are some terms to describe your neuropathic pain to the ER doctor:

• Shooting

• Stabbing

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Freezing

• Burning

• Electric shocks

Diabetes is a neuropathic pain disease. Here are some other common conditions that can lead to neuropathic pain:

• Radiation

• HIV

• Shingles

• Bell’s palsy and other facial nerve problems

• Chronic alcohol consumption

• Infections

• Accidents

• Chemotherapy drugs

• Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other nervous system disorders

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Compression or inflammation of the spinal nerve