RELATED: If This Body Part Hurts You at Night, See Your Doctor.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb According to experts from the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS), you should never ignore sudden, unexplained shoulder pain—especially if it occurs with symptoms elsewhere in your body, such as in your abdomen or chest. This is because the source of your discomfort may actually be “referred shoulder pain,” meaning “a problem exists somewhere else in the body other than where you feel the pain.” UMHS experts warn that there are several conditions capable of causing this type of referred pain. They say you may need to be screened for abdominal problems such as gallstones or pancreatitis, pelvic problems such as ovarian cysts, lung problems such as pneumonia, and other health issues including shingles, Paget’s disease, thoracic outlet syndrome, or complications from past surgery. RELATED: If You Notice This When Your Heat Turns On, Call Your Doctor Immediately. If your unexplained shoulder pain happens to be on the left side, it’s even more crucial that you call for medical assistance. Experts from UMHS explain that this type of pain can be a symptom of heart attack, blood vessel problems, or inflammation around the heart. If you do suspect a heart attack, don’t wait to call for help. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you should dial 911 if you notice any chest pain or discomfort along with pain in the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach that lasts for more than five minutes. Of course, another possible cause for your shoulder pain is orthopedic injury, and these types of injuries are somewhat common given the shoulder’s frequent motion and use. “The shoulder is the most movable joint in the human body,” explains Penn Medicine. “A group of four muscles and their tendons, called the rotator cuff, give the shoulder its wide range of motion. Swelling, damage, or bone changes around the rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain. You may have pain when lifting the arm above your head or moving it forward or behind your back,” their experts add. Additionally, your shoulder pain may be caused by arthritis, bone spurs, bursitis, a broken bone, joint dislocation or separation, overuse, shoulder tear, or poor posture. If your pain does not resolve on its own and you suspect localized injury, seek help from an orthopedic specialist who can pinpoint the problem. For more health news sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. If you find that your shoulder is in sudden pain with no known explanation, it may be hard to distinguish between a localized injury and referred pain from something potentially more serious. Experts from Penn Medicine say there’s one way to recognize referred pain that can help you quickly assess the problem. In the event that an organ is the underlying cause, they say “there is usually pain at rest and no worsening of pain when moving the shoulder.” And of course, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Speak with your doctor if you notice shoulder pain of any kind that may be cause for concern. RELATED: If You Notice This on Your Fingers or Toes, Have Your Lungs Checked.
