Hypochondriacs beware... Sharp pains warn of health problems

So, you've managed to avoid the novel flu and have stocked so much Vitamin C in your house that it will be nearly impossible to catch a cold this year, but that sharp pain in your wrist/foot/rib/stomach just keeps coming back. What could it be?

Obviously, if you're concerned about sharp pains anywhere in your body, we advise seeing a doctor to get real medical advice. But here's a starter guide to figuring out what may be causing those aches and pains.

Heart -

What it might be: heart attack

Symptoms: chest pain with sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, weakness, irregular heartbeat

Causes: the heart is deprived of blood, arteries break and block blood flow

Worryworthy? Seek emergency care immediately. Early treatment results in less damage to the heart muscle.

Lower right abdomen

What it might be: Appendicitis

Symptoms: sharp pain in the lower right abdomen, nausea, abdominal swelling, fever

Causes: a blocked appendix - often a result of infection, a foreign body or cancer

Worryworthy? Yes. If the appendix bursts, infection is likely. See a doctor right away.

Wrist & Hand

What it might be: Carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms: Pain and tingling in the hand

Causes: repetitive hand movements, pregnancy, obesity, diabetes

Worryworthy? Maybe. If symptoms persist more than a week or two, see a doctor.

Ribs

What it might be: fractured rib

Symptoms: pain in the injured area, pain when taking deep breaths

Causes: direct blow to chest, coughing hard

Worryworthy? Most fractured ribs are treated at home and heal on their own over time.

Foot

What it might be: heel spur

Symptoms: pain and tenderness over the bottom part of the heel, a bump that can sometimes be felt when touching the area

Causes: activities that stress the feet such as running or dancing, poorly fitting shoes

Worryworthy? Sometimes heel spurs can be treated by putting less pressure on the feet or changing footwear. Doctors may also consider corticosteroid injections or surgery to remove the spurs.

Upper abdomen

What it might be: heartburn

Symptoms: burning feeling in the chest behind the breastbone, difficulty swallowing, burning in the throat

Causes: stomach abnormalities, pregnancy, foods that cause acid reflux (alcohol, carbonated beverages, citrus, garlic, spicy foods)

Worryworthy? Antacids and dietary changes usually do the trick. Occasionally, surgery is recommended.

Stomach

What it might be: peptic ulcer

Symptoms: burning aching pain between the belly button and breastbone

Causes: bacterial infection, overuse of anti-inflammatory drugs

Worryworthy? Treatment (commonly medication) is recommended to keep the ulcer from getting worse or creating additional problems.

Head

What it might be: migraine, sinusitis

Symptoms: throbbing headache for both, with sinus pressure and stuffy nose for sinusitis

Causes: stress and heredity for migraines; allergies, viruses, bacteria and fungi for sinusitis

Worryworthy? many headaches can be treated with the right over-the-counter medications. If the pain persists, ask your doctor about other treatments.

Big toe

What it might be: gout

Symptoms: swelling, redness and sharp pain in the big toe

Causes: excess uric acid in the blood

Worryworthy: Your doctor will likely write you a prescription for meds to relieve the gout attack and help avoid future attacks.

Knees

What it might be: arthritis

Symptoms: joint aching and soreness, bony enlargements in the finger joints

Causes: heredity, age, joint overuse

Worryworthy? Arthritis is usually treated with medication, exercise and application of heat and cold to the sore joints. Canes and crutches are recommended to take pressure off some joints.

Health information courtesy of WebMD.