Back Pain: A Detailed Look Into the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

One of the most significant issues that land people in hospitals across the nation is back pain. Back pain is a prevalent issue that affects all sorts of people and cuts across gender and age. Back pain can be caused by and not limited to, medical conditions, muscle strains, accidents, and sports injuries.

Back pain can be debilitating, and you would have no choice but to seek emergency care near you. Employers have lost tons of cash because many people are absent from work searching for back pain treatment. It is also among the leading causes of disability globally.

As you grow older, you become more prone to developing back pain issues that you will need to seek medical assistance from the ER near you.

What Are the Causes of Back Pain?

The back is a complex structure composed of tendons, ligaments, disks, muscles, and bones, which work in concert to help support the body and give you the ability to move around.

When there is any problem with any of the above structures, then you will experience back pain. There are certain circumstances when you can have back pain, and what caused it remains unclear.

However, here are some of the common causes of back pain:

Strain

In most cases, back pain can be a result of strain, injury, or tension. This can be caused by:

• A muscle spasm
• Strained ligaments or muscles
• Damaged disks
• Muscle tension
• Injuries or fractures

If you carry heavy things or make an abrupt movement, you can also strain you back.

Movement and Posture

Most activities we carry out during the day can cause you to have back pain, especially if you do not have the correct posture. Some of the activities that can lead to back pain are:

• Over-stretching
• Standing or sitting for long periods
• Twisting
• Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t keep the spine straight
• Bending awkwardly for long periods
• Straining the neck by leaning forward either when driving or using a laptop or computer
• Driving for long periods without taking breaks

Other Causes

At times, there could be an underlying medical condition that can make you have back pain, such as:

• Shingles can affect the nerves leading to back pain
• Sleep disorders
• Cancer of the spine
• Other infections such as kidney, bladder, pelvic inflammatory infections may cause back pain
• Infection of the spine
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis

What Are the Symptoms?

Typically, back pain is usually a signal that something is wrong and not a disease in itself. There is usually an underlying cause for the pain. However, there are symptoms that you should peel your eyes for if they accompany the pain, such as:

• Pain down the legs
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain that reaches below the knees
• Numbness around the genitals
• Urinary incontinence
• A recent injury or trauma to the back
• Inflammation or swelling on the back
• Persistent back pain that doesn’t get better even when you rest or lie down
• Difficulty urinating
• Numbness around the buttocks
• Numbness around the anus

If you experience any of the above symptoms, make your way to the ER near you.

Risk Factors

As you already know, anyone can develop back pain, even teens and children. However, if you fall into any of the following categories, you might be at higher risk of developing back pain:

• Obesity or being overweight
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise or living a sedentary life
• Age starting around 30 years
• Diseases
• Occupational activities
• Pregnancy
• Medical conditions such as cancer or arthritis
• Strenuous physical activity that is done incorrectly

Treatment Options

In ideal scenarios, back pain usually resolves itself with rest and home remedies. However, there are times when you might need emergency care near you. Here are some of the treatments that you can expect:

Medical Treatment

If home treatments do not work, our doctor may recommend:

• Medication such as NSAID and antidepressants
• Physical therapy. This can involve applying heat, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and muscle release techniques to alleviate the pain.
• Botox can reduce pain in sprained muscles
• Cortisone injections are useful for reducing inflammation around the nerves
• Traction using pulleys and weights to help stretch the back

Surgery

Surgery for back pain is not a common occurrence. But if you have a herniated disk, then surgery becomes an ideal solution.

Back pain can hinder you from enjoying your day. Do not hesitate to seek our Express ER care if your back pain is persistent.