5 Warning Signs of Back Pain
Lower back pain is something almost everyone experiences at some point. Most low back pain is just due to a simple sprain, but it could be a sign of something more serious. Here are five warning signs of low back pain that you have to watch out for.
- First, if your back pain is severe and doesn’t improve with rest, it could be a sign of a deeper issue, like a herniated disc or nerve compression. These conditions can cause symptoms like pain that spreads down your legs or numbness or tingling in your legs at times, which means that your sciatic nerve is irritated.
- Another very important red flag is losing control of your bladder or bowel movements. If this happens with severe back pain, you could be dealing with a rare but serious condition called cauda equina syndrome. This condition needs immediate medical attention as it can lead to permanent paralysis and loss of control of the lower limbs.
- If you have a fever along with back pain, you should take it seriously. This could mean an infection in your spine, especially if the pain worsens at night or doesn’t go away.
- Unexplained weight loss can be concerning. If you’re dropping pounds without trying and experiencing persistent back pain, you could find local infections or even tumors.
- Finally, if you’ve had a fall injury or accident recently and now have back pain, don’t ignore it. Fractures and internal injuries can sometimes take time to show symptoms; it’s always best to get checked out.
Most back pains are benign, and you might not need to worry, but it is always a good idea to be extra careful rather than to regret it.
