When Should Lower Back Pain Cause Concern?

If you encounter frequent lower back pain, you should be concerned. Lower back discomfort may be an indication of a health condition requiring medical attention.

How Can You Determine When Back Pain Is Serious?

Whether you feel back pain sometimes or for multiple days, you should contact a physician as soon as possible. Pain that keeps you up at night or only occurs when you are seated, or standing may indicate a more serious condition. It could be an infection, a fracture, a severe compression of a nerve, or a malignancy.

Back pain can range from a small discomfort to an extremely severe one. Fortunately, back pain is rarely severe enough to require medical attention. Typically, it will lessen within two days, but if it persists for longer, you should seek medical attention. A physician will be able to conduct the necessary tests and administer the appropriate treatment.

Acute back pain is the result of a recent accident or stress, but chronic back pain is the result of underlying disorders. Acute back pain is typically transient. However, chronic back pain can linger for more than six weeks. Chronic pain is significantly more severe, affecting your quality of life, mobility, and health.

Which Types of Back Pain Should I Be Concerned About?

Back pain is a frequent symptom that might signal a variety of conditions. While some types of pain are harmless, others can be extremely intense. Back pain that prevents you from sleeping indicates the need for medical intervention. Acute lower back pain is typically caused by a strained ligament or muscle. Also, possible causes include poor lifting practices and tension.

A physical examination and medical history might assist your doctor in identifying any potentially life-threatening diseases that may be causing your pain. There may be a need for neurologic tests to evaluate the underlying reason and choose the optimal treatment. In the majority of cases, imaging tests are unnecessary, but they may be done to rule out specific causes of pain, such as tumors or spinal stenosis. In addition, your physician may prescribe blood tests to detect any infection or inflammation.

Which Cancers Cause Lower Back Discomfort?

Several forms of cancer, including prostate, ovarian, and kidney tumors, can induce lower back pain. Blood and tissue cancers can also cause back pain. Back discomfort is frequently accompanied by other cancer symptoms, such as a persistent cough or breathing difficulties. During therapy, cancer patients may also experience a loss of energy.

Spinal cord or spinal column cancers are uncommon, although they can cause back discomfort and other symptoms. Patients may also have arm or leg numbness, tingling, or a lack of coordination. They may also have gastrointestinal or urinary problems. Although the vast majority of malignancies are not associated with the spinal cord, back discomfort may signify a more serious underlying health condition.

Stomach, colon, and colon cancers can also cause lower back pain. Additionally, patients may report weight loss and bloody stools. Some of these tumors can cause persistent back discomfort. Therefore, it is essential to contact a physician for an accurate diagnosis.