Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. While aches and pains can be common and often nothing to worry about, there are certain types of pain that you should never ignore.

Knowing which warning signs to look out for can help you get the medical attention you need before the pain worsens or leads to serious health problems. Here are some of the most important kinds of pain that you should never ignore.

1. Chest Pain

Chest pain can be a symptom of a number of different conditions, ranging from indigestion to a heart attack. If you experience chest pain, it should always be evaluated by a doctor.

If the pain is severe, or if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or dizziness, it could be a sign of a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.

2. Severe Headaches

While headaches are a common complaint, severe headaches can be a warning sign of a serious medical condition.

If you experience sudden, severe headaches that are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, confusion, or vision problems, seek medical attention right away. These symptoms could indicate a brain hemorrhage or another neurological problem.

3. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can be a sign of a number of different conditions, such as gastritis, ulcers, or appendicitis.

However, if the pain is sudden, severe, and accompanied by vomiting or fever, it could indicate a more serious problem such as a ruptured appendix or a perforated ulcer. Seek medical attention immediately.

4. Back Pain

Back pain is a common complaint for many people, but if it is sudden, severe, and accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs, it could be a sign of a herniated disc or spinal cord injury.

Seek medical attention right away to properly diagnose and treat the cause of your pain.

5. Painful Joints

Joint pain can be a sign of arthritis or other conditions, but if the pain is sudden or severe, it could be a sign of a joint infection.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience joint pain that is accompanied by swelling, redness, or a fever.

6. Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can be a sign of a number of different conditions, such as ovarian cysts or endometriosis. However, if you experience sudden and severe pelvic pain, it could indicate a ruptured ectopic pregnancy or a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Seek medical attention right away.

7. Painful Gums

If you have painful or bleeding gums, it could be a sign of gum disease or other dental problems. However, if the pain is sudden and severe, it could be a sign of an abscessed tooth or a dental infection.

Seek dental attention as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body.

8. Painful Swallowing

If you experience painful swallowing, it could be a sign of a number of different conditions, such as tonsillitis or acid reflux.

However, if the pain is sudden and severe, it could indicate a more serious problem such as a blocked esophagus or throat cancer. Seek medical attention right away.

9. Pain during Sex

Pain during sex can be a sign of a number of different conditions, such as vaginismus or endometriosis. However, if the pain is sudden or severe, it could indicate a more serious problem such as an ovarian torsion or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Seek medical attention right away.

10. Pain in the Legs

Pain in the legs can be a symptom of a number of different conditions, such as varicose veins, sciatica, or peripheral artery disease.

However, if the pain is sudden, severe, and accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth in the leg, it could indicate a blood clot. Seek medical attention right away to prevent the clot from traveling to your lungs or heart.