9 Types of Referred Pain You Can't Ignore

Reflected pain – pain, the localization of which does not coincide with the location of damaged tissues or organs. The danger of reflected pain lies in the fact that a person cannot be unaware of the dangerous damage to the internal organ that causes it.

That is why it is important to know what types of referred pain can occur when there are problems with vital organs in order to seek medical help in time and, possibly, save the life of yourself or your loved one.

1. Pain in the chest, left arm and/or lower jaw – heart

Pain that occurs in the chest, in the left arm, and also in the upper back indicates the presence of heart disease.

If you experience this kind of pain, you should immediately consult a doctor for further checks. Based on the patient's condition and the degree of heart disease, the doctor draws up a treatment plan.

2. Shoulder and neck pain

People who experience shoulder and upper neck pain should see a pulmonologist as this referred pain indicates a lung problem. If the person is experiencing difficulty breathing, persistent pain around the neck, and severe pain in the shoulder, it is highly recommended to see a doctor.

3. Pain in the shoulder, neck and ribs on the right side

If lung problems cause referred pain in the front of the neck, liver and gallbladder problems may radiate to the upper shoulder, right hypochondrium, and right side under the breasts. Such pain can occur as a result of serious diseases of the liver and gallbladder. If the pain does not go away for a long time, you should consult a doctor.

This referred pain also occurs as a result of nerve impulses from the diaphragm connected to the phrenic nerves. In most cases, the doctor  prescribes analgesics to relieve such pain.

4. Pain in the front and back of the body

This type of pain indicates problems with the stomach and pancreas. This type of referred pain is the most insidious, as the person believes that it is caused by poor posture, sprains, or a sedentary lifestyle.

5. Abdominal pain

Such pain indicates a problem in the small intestine. In most cases, such pain occurs in the navel. Inflammation in the small intestine is also the cause of this type of pain. If the pain occurs in the middle or lower abdomen, it may indicate problems with the colon and appendix.

6. Pain in the middle and lower abdomen

Characteristic pain in the middle and lower abdomen associated with colon and appendix problems. Such symptoms cannot be ignored – seek medical attention immediately.

7. Upper leg pain and pelvic pain

Kidney problems often cause pain in the upper legs, pelvis and lower abdomen. Also, pain in the lower part of the pelvis may indicate problems with the bladder.

8. Pain in the lower part of the pelvis

Pain in the lower pelvis (both front and back) may indicate bladder problems. To determine the problem, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination, and it is highly not recommended to delay it.

9. Pain on both sides of the abdomen

Such pain in women occurs with inflammation, tumors, infections and other diseases of the ovaries. Therefore, in case of this type of pain, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist.

The list of reflected pains is not limited to the cases described above. That is why it is very important to understand that the problem is not necessarily where it hurts. Ignoring pain (especially if it doesn't go away for a long time) is dangerous. The sooner the doctor can identify the cause of pain, the higher the chances of successful and timely treatment.