Four out of every five individuals have back pain at some point in their life. Additionally, millions of individuals worldwide suffer from unpleasant symptoms in their back. Minor back pain will usually subside in a few days or weeks without any professional treatment. Unfortunately, a very tiny percentage of individuals will have permanent pain.
You should consult a doctor and have your back evaluated to establish the severity of the problem. The vertebral column, which provides structural stability to the body and is required for its key functions, is one of the most important components of your body. It also protects the spinal cord and the nerves that transmit and receive signals to and from the rest of the body. Around 19 million people visit a spine specialist each year. However, many patients wonder when they should see a spine expert.
Here are some symptoms that indicate you should see a doctor if you have back pain.
1. Your back pain is chronic
Back pain typically improves with enough rest and OTC pain relievers. However, it is necessary to contact a doctor if the pain lasts longer than six weeks. The majority of the time, unhealthy lifestyles, a lack of physical activity, and poor posture are to blame for the persistent back pain, and it is crucial to address these issues ASAP.
2. You have pain radiating to the buttocks or lower extremities
Rather than staying in your back, the pain may spread to either your buttocks or lower extremities. This is a signal that one of the spinal nerves that travel to your legs is starting to experience problems. Make an appointment with your spine doctor right away. In such cases, getting an x-ray, or an MRI would be encouraged as it would help determine the root cause and establish an appropriate treatment plan.
3. You have developed a loss of sensation
Back pain may be accompanied by loss of sensation or weakness in certain areas of your body. It's critical to pinpoint the bodily parts that are weak and numb. Additionally, if you have back pain, particularly in your mid-back, you can also develop loss of sensations or pins and needles in your fingers and toes. This can be a symptom of a serious spinal nerve injury.
4. Your back pain is accompanied by fever
If the unpleasant symptoms in your back are accompanied by a fever, your spine most likely has an active infection. This is a significant problem that has to be addressed right away. Consult a spine specialist right away.
5. You’ve suddenly lost a huge amount of weight
There is a chance that anything more serious than an aching or pulled muscle is causing your sudden weight loss, back pain, or a lack of appetite, and this requires medical treatment.
6. You have trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
Incontinence is characterized by a lack of conscious control over your urination or bowel movements. You may regularly rush to the restroom as a result of some of it, signaling a condition that requires immediate care. Incontinence combined with non-injury-related pain in the lower back may indicate a dangerous condition. Cauda equina syndrome ICES) is one of these conditions. CES occurs when the nerve sac at the base of the spine is too compressed and paralyzed. The nerves that control urination and defecation degenerate and stop functioning properly.
The bottom line
Timely treatment allows doctors and specialists to monitor patients who have diseases or problems that aren't usually life-threatening. If you want to be sure that your back pain isn't a major issue, see a back specialist as soon as possible.
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