Feeling aches and pains is part of being human. Everyone gets them from time to time. A lot of the time, they aren't serious and you can get away with taking a pill or having a rest. However, sometimes you need to listen to your body because the pain is telling you that something is wrong. More severe symptoms indicate a more serious problem. Here are 6 pains or symptoms you should never ignore. 

1. Weakness in your arms and legs

If you are feeling weak or numb in your arms, legs or even face, this can be a sign of a stroke. A telling sign is if it’s on one side of your body. Other indicators of a stroke are dizziness, unbalance and having trouble walking.

Get help as soon as possible if you suddenly can’t see clearly, have a strong headache, feel confused or have trouble speaking. Call an ambulance. If you’re able to receive a clot-busting drug within 4.5 hours of your first symptom, the risk for long-term disability is considerably lower. A stroke that is caught early is often reversible. 

2. Chest pain

There are a number of reasons you might experience chest pain, but it’s best not to try to tough it out because it can be a sign of something more serious. If you feel a heaviness or tightness in the chest, and the pain lasts for more than a few minutes or returns, you need to get help.

This could be caused by heart disease or a heart attack, especially if it happens after you’ve been active. You should definitely get professional medical attention if it’s accompanied by sweating, pressure, shortness of breath or nausea. 

Blood in the urine is a sign of several medical issues that shouldn’t be ignored. If blood in the urine is coupled with pain in the back or side, you may have kidney stones. This is when small crystals form in the kidney and move through the tube that carries your urine. A doctor can detect if you have kidney stones from an x-ray or an ultrasound. Although it is painful, kidney stones will eventually pass through your bladder or a doctor can remove them.

If blood in the urine is accompanied by the increased feeling that you need to urinate, frequent trips to the toilet, or a burning feeling when you pee you may have a severe bladder or kidney infection and you would need to see a doctor right away, especially if you have a fever.

Lastly, if you see blood in your urine but don’t have any other symptoms this may be a sign of kidney or bladder cancer and still requires medical care. 

4. Pain in the back of your lower leg

This is often the main symptom of a blood clot, known as deep vein thrombosis. This happens when you’ve been sitting still for long periods, like after bed rest or a long plane ride. Blood clots might also cause pain and swelling when you walk or stand. Blood clots can break or block blood flow so it’s important to catch them before they causes complications. While it’s normal to feel some tenderness after exercising, if you feel heat or see redness around the swollen or painful areas of your leg, it’s time to call your doctor or visit the ER. 

5. Suicidal Thoughts

If you feel hopeless and as though you have no reason to live you need to talk to someone and get help. Be in touch with a mental health professional who can help you through the crisis and keep you safe. You can also call Lifeline, a suicide prevention helpline. This phone service is available worldwide, 24/7. They are free to call and it’s a confidential service designed to make you feel safe sharing your thoughts. 

6. Wheezing

If you experience difficulties breathing or you hear a whistle sound when you breathe this is something that needs to be treated immediately. A doctor can determine whether this is asthma, lung disease, a severe allergy or a result of exposure to chemicals, and come up with a treatment plan. If the wheezing is due to asthma, you should consult with an allergist, to decipher a plan to reduce future flare-ups.

Wheezing can also indicate pneumonia or bronchitis. The other symptoms you might have are coughed up yellow or green mucus, shortness of breath and fever.