Doctronic: Exploring What Dull Pain Means and When You Should See a Doctor About It
Everyone experiences dull pain at times. It can happen suddenly or build gradually. It may be constant or come and go. It can also affect virtually any part of the body. Though dull pain may not feel quite as serious as sharp, stabbing pain, it can certainly be disruptive and disconcerting. If you’re like most people, you probably wonder whether you should simply ignore it and hope it goes away on its own or see a doctor about it.
In truth, the answer to that question depends on several factors. Those can include where the pain is, whether it started suddenly or came on slowly, and which symptoms you may be experiencing along with it. Understanding what dull pain means can help you decide if you need to seek medical attention, and the following issues are among its most common causes.
Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions are among the most prevalent reasons why people experience dull pain. Those include conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and IBS to name a few. If you’re living with those types of issues, dull pain is likely a routine part of your life. With conditions like those, dull pain is generally a side effect of the inflammation or damage they’re causing in your body. Though it isn’t necessarily a cause for added concern on its own, if it doesn’t subside, starts to spread, or gets worse over time, you should consider talking to a doctor.
Muscle Strain
Another common source of dull pain is muscle strain. In this case, it comes from overexertion. When you work out, lift heavy objects, or are more physically active than usual, tiny tears may form in your muscle tissue. It’s a natural process, and it usually heals on its own fairly quickly. If it doesn’t or it worsens over time, though, it could be a sign of more serious issues. Try rest and light stretching for a while. If that doesn’t help ease the pain, you may need to speak with a physician.
Internal Organ Issues
Internal organs can also be sources of dull pain. For example, an ongoing dull ache with occasional sharp pains near the top of your stomach could be a sign of significant inflammation. Dull pain in the upper right side of your abdomen could mean gallbladder issues. In the lower right side of your abdomen, it could stem from your appendix. If the pain is roughly in the middle of your back on either side, it could be an indication of kidney stones or an infection. Either of these issues is definitely cause for concern, especially if they’re accompanied by a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Deciding When to See a Doctor for Dull Pain
In some cases, mild dull pain is nothing to worry about. It’ll simply go away on its own. Other times, though, it’s an indication of deeper underlying issues. Think about where the pain is, what you were doing when it started, and any chronic medical conditions you may be suffering from that could lead to the type of pain you’re feeling. Watch for additional symptoms to develop along with it, such as fever, digestive upset, and worsening or spreading pain, as well. If the pain is unusual for you and accompanied by those issues, consider seeking medical attention.
In general, if the pain is persistent or gets worse over time, seeing a doctor is recommended. Otherwise, it may be nothing to worry about. Still, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If there seems to be no logical explanation for the dull pain you’re feeling, there’s no harm in talking to a doctor to be sure it’s not a precursor to more serious issues.
