Back pain can be a huge hassle in your daily life. If the pain intensifies, it may even cause you to miss out on important events.
Many people try to endure the pain and wait for it to subside. However, severe or chronic cases of Back pain merit a visit to a medical professional.
Here’s how to know when your back pain warrants a trip to the doctor.
Tell-Tale Signs of Serious Back Pain
Back pain can either be acute or chronic, depending on the underlying cause. Acute back pain is short-term and triggered by stress, strenuous exercise, or sudden awkward movement. Chronic back pain, on the other hand, is long-term and can become severe.
Most back pain goes away on its own after a few days or weeks without treatment. The application of ice or heat may help reduce soreness. There are also over-the-counter medications available to alleviate it.
Back pain may also be an indication of a serious medical condition. Here are some warning signs you should look out for:
- Back pain that persists for more than a few weeks
- Back pain that does not improve with rest
- The pain is recurrent and can become intense at night
- The pain spreads to the lower part of your body, even below the knees
- There is a sensation of numbness, weakness, or tingling in one or both legs
- Your back feels stiff
- Your back swells or reddens
Contact a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above. Immediately call for emergency care if your back pain is also accompanied by:
- Fever
- Unexpected weight loss
- Bowel and urinary problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Balance problems
You should also seek immediate medical care if your back pain is caused by an accident or sudden injury.
Serious Back Pain And Its Possible Causes
The type of symptoms you experience depends on the underlying medical condition you have. Many ailments can potentially cause severe back pain. For instance, damage to the muscles, ligaments, bones, nerves, and discs in the spinal area can produce back pain. Some conditions associated with back pain are:
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to wear out, which results in friction between bones. When the bones in the spine rub against each other, you can experience mild to severe back pain.
Osteoporosis
Progressive bone loss can lead to tenderness and pain in the neck and lower back.
Sprains And Strains
Ligament sprains and muscle strains near your back can result in pain, swelling, and weakness.
Stress Fracture
Spondylolysis is a consequence of repetitive stress, hyperextension, or high impact force to the vertebra. It is characterized by pain extending throughout the back.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis often produces a painful or numbing sensation in the lower back, with varying duration and intensity. The pain can escalate during prolonged standing or walking but bending forward can relieve it as this position takes the pressure off the spinal cord.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is not always accompanied by back pain. If it is, you may perceive the pain as an intense burning sensation, pressure, numbness, and tingling. These symptoms are caused by nerve irritation in your discs.
Herniated Discs
Disc herniation can irritate exposed nerves and cause pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. Burning pain in the neck, shoulders, and back are common symptoms of herniated discs.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome affects the urinary and excretory systems, which results in the loss of bladder and bowel control. Other symptoms include back pain, leg pain and weakness, and numbness, among others.
Non-spinal medical conditions can also cause pain in the back. Kidney-related and gastrointestinal problems may also cause pain to radiate in the back. Proper treatment of these conditions can alleviate the accompanying back pain.
Orthopedic Care For Back Pain In Dallas, TX
If your back pain persists for longer than a couple of weeks, feels extremely uncomfortable, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s likely time for you to consult with a doctor.
At Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine, we have orthopedic and chiropractic specialists who can relieve your back pain. Our facility has access to a wide range of tools that can diagnose and assess your condition. We believe that pain manifests differently amongst individuals, so we tailor our treatment to each patient’s needs.
For persistent back pain, contact us at (972) 503-7272. You may also schedule a consultation through our appointment request form.
We look forward to helping you regain a pain-free life!
