I'm An ER Physician. Here Are 5 Types Of Pain I'd Never Ignore.

It’s better to be told nothing is wrong than to regret not seeing a medical professional sooner. Here's what you need to know.

When it comes to severe medical situations, emergency medicine doctors see it all. They’re the physicians who folks of all ages rush to when something serious goes wrong. But just what does “serious” mean? What kinds of pain constitute a visit to the emergency department? Experts say that it’s a hard question to answer.

“Unfortunately, it can be so variable from patient to patient, and sometimes people that even have minor pain may have something very serious going on. So [pain is] not something that anybody should ignore,” said Dr. Michael Turturro, a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Meaning, you should take pain seriously and see a doctor if you have any concerns. It’s better to be told nothing is wrong than to regret not seeing a medical professional sooner. (We know there are financial considerations that come along with this — more on that below.)

While all pain is worth taking seriously, experts told HuffPost there are certain pains that are generally across-the-board alarming and reason enough for medical attention. Here’s what they are:

1. Sudden Pain That Doesn’t Go Away