The most unpleasant sensations – a light and short pain in the lumbar region, which has no pathological basis and is called the ordinary muscle tension. We are interested in the case when the reason is the spine.
7 worrying symptoms
1. The pain does not go away
Usually pain in the back disappears after a short rest or take pain medication. If within a month does not heal, pain to interfere with normal daily activities, should go to the doctor.
2. Pain spreading to the arm or the leg
If, in addition to back pain go to one of the extremities is a sign of irritation of the spine, spinal cord, or even the presence of a herniated disc.
"This symptom may indicate a serious lesion of the intervertebral disc, but still need to consult a neurologist: there are many non-surgical methods of treatment. With the help of massage, physiotherapy, manual therapy, exercises to strengthen the muscle corset, stretching, therapeutic blockade or to impose a special elastic adhesive. Tactics can be selected individually. You can expect a positive outcome if timely treatment qualified medical help".
3. The appearance of numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or leg
"Long time passing numbness in the extremities (numbness, tingling, tingling) to say permanent damage to the nerve fibers. Decreased muscle tone of the lower extremities or the occurrence of lameness is also a terrible symptom of the violation of motor functions", – said the expert.
4. Pain at night
The increased pain at night or a moment of relaxation – an alarming sign. If you also note, morning stiffness, it can be a symptom of systemic inflammatory disease – ankylosing spondylitis. In this situation you want to consult a neurologist or a rheumatologist and the selection of special care.
5. The emergence of persistent pain age (be attentive to their parents!)
Women older than 50 years increases the risk of osteoporosis (increased bone fragility). Even small injuries can cause a variety of fractures, of which two-thirds is localized to the spine (often in the thoracic and lumbar spine).
"Only a consultation and x-ray inspection helps to identify vertebral fractures and prescribe appropriate treatment. We must remember that in this case magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), most commonly performed in patients with back pain, is not informative, because it is not possible to adequately assess the condition of the bone structures".
6. The pain is accompanied by fever or weight loss
"Dangerous symptoms – reduce weight without dieting or temperature rises in the background of back pain. Possible current infection, tumor, spinal cord or vertebrae. This requires attention of the doctor, the delay in such cases is unacceptable".
7. Back pain and inability to control bowel or bladder
"Another sure sign of a spinal cord injury is urinary incontinence or numbness in the groin area. These symptoms can not be ignored: they refer to the syndrome of compression of horse tail cone – end of the spinal cord and the roots," – said the expert.
If these symptoms have arisen acutely, have to call an ambulance: the best result surgical treatment is achieved in the first 48 hours.
Tumor or infection prevalence to occupy the last place in the list of "Why back hurts", but this is the case, as usual ignoring the signals our body is an acceptable tactic.