Back Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments And Remedies
What Is Back Pain?
Back Pain is the most common reason forcing people to take a leave from work and for seeking medical treatment. The ache and discomfort in the back can be discomforting and debilitating.
This pain can result from various reasons like any injury or certain medical conditions.
Back Ache can affect anyone of any age. Although the cause of the pain can be different, anybody can get affected by it.
As the age increases people are at higher risk of getting back ache due to their previous occupation or degenerative disk disease.
Categories Of Back Pain
Back Ache can be divided mainly in two categories
1. Upper Back Pain
Pain in the upper back can be caused due to problems with the aorta, tumors in chest or inflammation of the spine.
2. Lower Back Pain
Pain in the lower back is associated with bony lumbar spine, ligaments and spinal discs. It is also related to other parts of the body like lower back muscle, abdominal and pelvic organs.
Causes
Spine is the major part of the back and whole body. Problems occurring in this part can lead to severe ache.
The Human back is a very complex structure made out of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks, and bones, which work in coordination to provide support to the body and enable us to move around.
The spine is divided into various segments and each segment is cushioned with cartilage-like pads known as disks.
Damage to the back can be a result of various events such as strain, medical conditions, poor posture and others.
Strain
Stain is the most common reason for this type of pain. Frequent pain in the back can be caused due to:
Strained muscles or ligaments.
Muscle Spasm.
Muscle tension.
Damaged Disks
Injuries or fractures.
Structural Problems
The problem with the structure of the back may also lead to a severe discomfort and problems in the back. Some of the structural problems include:
Ruptured Discs.
Bulging Disks.
Arthritis.
Sciatica.
Abnormal Curvature Of The Spine.
Osteoporosis.
Kidney Problems.
Movement And Posture
Sitting in a hunched position while using a PC can increase the problems in shoulder and back. It can also occur from various day-to-day activities or improper posture.
Examples are:
Twisting or overstretching.
Muscle Tension.
Bending for Long Periods.
Long Driving Sessions.
Other Causes
There are various medical conditions which can lead to ache and discomfort in the back. Some of them are:
- Spinal Cancer
- Infection Of the Spine
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Shingles
- Sleep Disorders
Symptoms
The primary symptom of this is debilitating or dull ache anywhere in the back and sometimes down in the legs and buttocks.
Some of the back issues can cause discomfort in other parts depending on what condition a patient is suffering from.
This is caused in the back mostly goes away on his own, but you should see a doctor if other symptoms are seen. Some of the symptoms are:
- Weight Loss.
- Fever.
- Inflammation or swelling in the back.
- Persistent Back Ache
- Numbness Around the Back.
- Pain that reaches down the legs
When To See A Doctor
You must seek help from health care professionals if you feel numbness or tingling in your back or if you are suffering from back ache that:
- Doesn’t improve with rest
- Have numbness in legs
- You have numbness with legs
- Have fever
- Unexplained Weight Loss
Diagnosis
A doctor usually can diagnose the pain by asking from you the symptoms and he/she may carry out a physical exam.
However, to rule out any other underlying cause of the ache. Some of the scanning tests include:
X-Ray
MRI or CT Scans
Bone Scans
Electromyography or EMG
Chronic Or Acute Pain?
It is categorized into two types
- Chronic Pain
- Acute Pain
There is a lot of difference between chronic and acute pain.
Acute Pain starts suddenly and lasts up to six weeks. Chronic pain is long-term agony. It develops over a period of time and lasts for many months and causes various problems.
If a person is suffering from both occasional bouts of severe and intense suffering accompanied with continuous mild back ache, it can become difficult for the doctor to determine The sort of ache the affected person is struggling from.
Home Remedies
Over the counter medications and anti-inflammatory drugs can help you reduce this ache.
Applying a hot compress or ice pack on the affected area may also be helpful in reducing the pain and discomfort.
Treatment
Most of the time it gets resolved with rest and home remedies but if it gets more intense then it is necessary to seek medical help.
1. Medications
Your doctor may suggest your various pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs to get rid of the discomfort.
2.Physical therapy
Your doctor may recommend applying heat or ice on the affected area. Along with that he may suggest some muscle release techniques to release the discomfort.
The Bottom Line
Back pain is one of the most commonly occurring of disease. For some people it may be simple while for others it can be an alarming symptom of something wrong happening inside your body.
