The average human being will complain about back pain more than once in his/her lifetime. Back pain is one of the most common health reasons people miss work. The amount of patients treated by doctors due to back pain each year is astonishing.
Back pain is a common problem caused by a variety of reasons ranging from physical exertion to serious health conditions. In most instances, the pain can resolve on its own or will get better with rest or simple home treatment and proper body mechanics.
Drawing the Line between a Common Back Pain and a Serious One
Mild back pain can normally be resolved with rest. Severe or continuous back pain that does not resolve itself with rest should be addressed and treated by a medical professional if it does not subside in a few days. Certain pain can be caused by health conditions that can only be diagnosed by your healthcare provider, as some of the leading causes of disabilities worldwide are attributed to back issues. When in pain, you should never wait too long for care as this is sign something needs to be addressed.
Indications of Serious Back Pain
The signs you should never take for granted in the case of back pain include:
- Back pain that follows a fall, a blow to your back, from an accident or injury
- Back pain associated with new bowel or bladder problems
- Back pain that is followed by fever
- Back pain that doesn’t improve with rest and regular home treatment
- Back pain that spreads down to one or both legs, especially when the pain extends below the knees
- Back pain that is followed by weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
- Back pain that is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
When to Consult your Healthcare Provider
If you are experiencing the indications listed above, you should consult your doctor. You should also consider seeing a doctor if you are more than 50 years of age and have recently started having back pains. You should also consider your new back pain serious if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, and excessive use of drugs and alcohol. There may be a serious underlying issue. Some severe back pains may require surgery to be corrected, and early intervention can save you from life-threatening conditions.
