Aches and pains you should never ignore
What's your body trying to tell you?
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong. Sometimes you’ll know exactly why you’re hurting: If you went hard at the gym yesterday, it’s no surprise you’re sore today.
But sometimes pain is symptomatic of a more serious condition. Be aware of these seven aches and pains that may require medical treatment right away.
Written byPatrick Sullivan.
Medically reviewed byMegan Burke, MD.
Sources: Johns Hopkins Medicine. Bacterial Meningitis. Accessed September 8 + 14
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Bacterial Meningitis. Accessed September 8, 2022.
- MedlinePlus. Meningitis. Review date December 24, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningitis. March 30, 2022.
- American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. Accessed September 8, 2022.
- New York State Department of Health. Bacterial Skin Infections: Impetigo and MRSA. Revised February 2011.
- NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Cerebral Aneurysms. Last reviewed July 25, 2022.
- MedlinePlus. Aneurysm. Review date June 23, 2020.
- MedlinePlus. Deep Vein Thrombosis. Last updated August 10, 2018.
- NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Venous Thromboembolism: What Is Venous Thromboembolism? Last updated March 24, 2022.
- NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Venous Thromboembolism: Preventing Blood Clots. Last updated March 24, 2022.
- MedlinePlus. Back Pain. Last updated October 21, 2016.
- NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Kidney Stones. Accessed September 8, 2022.
- National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Stones. Accessed September 8, 2022.
- MedlinePlus. Appendicitis. Last updated August 30, 2016.
- Mayo Clinic. Appendicitis. August 7, 2021.
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