Acute Pain

Key points

• Pain is a symptom, so safe treatment begins with identifying whether the cause itself needs urgent care.
• The least intensive effective option is usually preferred, combining activity advice and local measures with medicine when appropriate.
• Kidney, liver, stomach, heart and bleeding risks can make common pain medicines unsafe.

The listings below are not a diagnosis or universal pain plan; cause, severity and health history determine suitability.

Assessing the cause

Onset, location, injury mechanism and associated symptoms help separate a minor strain from fracture, infection, nerve compression or disease in an internal organ. Severe unexplained pain, pain out of proportion to examination or pain with neurological symptoms needs prompt review.

A layered approach

Relative rest, gradual movement, cold or heat and elevation may help depending on the cause. Paracetamol, topical anti-inflammatory treatment or an oral NSAID have different benefits and risks. Opioids are reserved for selected severe pain and require particular caution because of sedation, constipation and dependence.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care for chest pain, sudden severe headache, pain after major trauma, a cold or numb limb, a hot swollen joint with fever, new weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Further reading

• “Ouch, that hurts!” The science of pain | NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
• Opioid Therapy and Different Types of Pain | Overdose Prevention - CDC
• Acute Pain - South & West Devon Formulary