Some health conditions can be extremely painful. Although pain is an individual perception, there is a consensus among physicians as to which pain is typically more intense. The NHS (National Health Service) in the UK has compiled a list of the worst pains caused by certain diseases. See what they are in the next pictures (they are not in order of intensity):
herpes zoster
Herpes zoster, also popularly known as shingles, is a disease that causes a painful rash, usually on one side of the body, on the chest or abdomen, according to the NHS. It’s caused by the same chickenpox virus that’s dormant in the body.
cluster headache
This is a headache whose pain can be “excruciating” according to the MSD Manual for Diagnosis and Treatment. It is characterized by periods of pain followed by some improvement. Stuffy nose and watery eyes are some of the symptoms that can accompany seizures.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
It is characterized by severe pain and an inability to move the shoulder, a condition caused by thickening of the shoulder capsule where adhesions develop. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, it is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60, and also in women.
fracture
Any broken bone can cause severe pain and swelling. There are cases that are fixed by replacing the existing bone, others require surgery.
Complex regional pain syndrome
It is a disease that usually occurs in some people after an injury (hand or foot). The MSD Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment adds that the pain “continues with an intensity and duration disproportionate to the initial tissue injury.”
heart attack
Acute myocardial infarction is the blockage of a coronary artery with fatty deposits that prevents blood from reaching the heart. Symptoms vary, but severe chest pain, as if pressure were present, is commonly reported. Cold sweats, pain that radiates into the left arm, and nausea can also occur, among other things. This is an emergency that requires medical attention as soon as possible.
disc prolapse
When the gel that remains between the vertebrae of the spine is squeezed out, the patient has a herniated disc, which causes severe pain due to friction between the bones. Symptoms include pain in the affected region (lower back or neck), numbness and tingling in the shoulders, back, arms and hands, neck pain, trouble bending or straightening the back and muscle weakness, according to the NHS.
Sickle cell anemia
This is an inherited disorder characterized by sickle (crescent) shaped red blood cells causing chronic anemia from the excessive destruction of these abnormal cells. Patients with this condition may have what is called a sickle cell pain crisis, which includes severe pain in the abdomen and long bones of the arms and legs, sometimes accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
arthritis
Arthritis, common with aging, is the thinning of the cartilage between the joints, which facilitates friction between the bones and consequently causes pain. “Pain, often described as a dull ache, is the first symptom and when it occurs in weightbearing joints, it is usually aggravated by activities that involve weightbearing (such as standing),” states the MSD Handbook
migraine
This is a common condition in the majority of the population. “Migraines are usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head,” says the NHS. It may be accompanied by light, noise, and discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
Sciatica pain (sciatica)
The sciatic nerve is the largest in our body, it runs from the lower back to the feet. When inflammation or compression occurs, the sciatic crisis occurs. Patients often report stabbing or burning pain, as well as tingling and numbness, starting at the waist and going down one side of the leg. Symptoms can get worse when you move, cough or sneeze
kidney stone
Classic renal colic is characterized by severe pain in the area below the ribs, which can also radiate sideways or downwards, depending on how the stone has been displaced. On a scale of pain that people endure, this is one of the most intense and often causes nausea and vomiting.
appendicitis
The cecum is a small pouch located at one end of the large intestine. Not all people have it, but for some people it can become ignited at a certain point in life. Then there is appendicitis, which manifests itself as pain in the middle of the abdomen and spreads to the right side. It becomes constant and intense. Nausea and temperature rise may occur. This is a situation that requires urgent surgical intervention.
Trigeminal neuralgia (tic pain)
“Trigeminal neuralgia is severe facial pain due to dysfunction of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve). This nerve carries sensory information from the face to the brain and controls the muscles involved in chewing,” the MSD manual describes. Pain can occur spontaneously or be triggered by touching a trigger point on the face. In some cases, it repeats itself up to a hundred times a day and becomes disabling.
acute pancreatitis
This is a disease manifested by swelling of the pancreas and the condition has a sudden onset. It is usually caused by gallstones or excessive and prolonged consumption of alcoholic beverages. Patients feel stabbing pains in the upper abdomen that can extend to the middle of the back. You may also experience nausea and vomiting, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat.
Drop
Gout is the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints due to high levels of this substance in the blood. This accumulation can cause inflammation and severe pain in joints or tissues. “The pain progressively worsens and is often extreme, particularly when the joint is moved or touched,” the MSD manual points out
endometriosis
Endometriosis is the inflammation of a tissue in the uterus called the endometrium. Much of this mucous membrane is removed during menstruation and what is left grows back in a new cycle. However, in endometriosis patients, these cells are not expelled and spread to other areas of the abdominal cavity, multiplying and forming inflammatory nodules. The result is severe pain that often requires hospitalization.
gastric ulcer
The NHS states that “the most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or stabbing pain that develops in the abdomen”. It can last from a few minutes to hours and starts a few hours after eating. Attacks of pain can also occur at night.
fibromyalgia
This is a disease with multifactorial causes, but characterized by a number of conditions that worsen the quality of life of patients. The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic diffuse muscle pain associated with fatigue, depression and sleep disorders, but other symptoms such as migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, paraesthesia, tinnitus and dizziness can also accompany it
pain after surgery
Certain surgeries often have a postoperative period during which the patient must take painkillers. This is because there are cuts and other interventions that cause inflammation in tissues and organs.