How Can Back Pain Affect Your Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. In addition,

the pain may radiate down your leg or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking

.

Can back problems cause other health problems?


Some back issues can cause pain in other parts of the body, depending on the nerves affected

. The pain often goes away without treatment, but if it occurs with any of the following people should see their doctor: weight loss. fever.

Can back pain affect other parts of the body?


Lower back pain can radiate to other parts of the body

: up or down from its place of origin. Sometimes lower back pain can be on one side of the back, which is also normal. If the pain is shooting from the lower back into one or both legs, it could be sciatica (), but it's not always the case.

What can untreated back pain lead to?

Prolonged nerve irritation, which occurs when back pain is left untreated for too long, can lead to

permanent disabilities

. Untreated vertebrae injuries can even lead to spinal stenosis (the narrowing of the spinal canal), radiculopathy (severe nerve pain), and nerve damage.

How do I know if my back pain is serious?

  1. Sudden spike in pain, discomfort, weakness or numbness.
  2. Loss of bladder function.
  3. High fever.
  4. Severe stomach pain.
  5. Unexplainable weight loss.
  6. The pain results from a fall or severe blow to your back.

Can a virus cause back pain?

In the early stages, the only sign of an infection you might have is back tenderness that doesn't seem to get better. As the infection progresses, more symptoms become apparent, which should clue you in that there's a problem.

Often, back pain is one of those symptoms, along with others like: Chills

.

What disease can cause back pain?

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to cause lower back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis causes lower back pain, inflammation and stiffness in the spine. Disease:

Spine tumors, infections and several types of cancer

can cause back pain. Other conditions can cause back pain, too.

What organs can cause lower back pain?

As well, organs such as the

kidneys, pancreas, colon, and uterus

are located near your lower back. All of these can be responsible for pain in the left side of your lower back, so there are many potential causes. While many require treatment, most aren't serious.

How do I know if my back pain is muscle or spine?

  1. Pain that gets worse when you move, especially when bending or stretching.
  2. Difficulty standing up straight.
  3. Swelling or bruising in a specific area.
  4. Sharp or achy pain, usually limited to the lower back and buttocks area.
  5. Spasm-like pain or cramps.

How can I tell if my back pain is kidney related?

Unlike back pain, which usually occurs in the lower back,

kidney pain is deeper and higher up the back

. The kidneys can be found underneath the ribcage, on each side of the spine. Pain from the kidneys is felt in the sides, or in the middle to upper back (most often under the ribs, to the right or left of the spine).

What symptoms associated with back pain should prompt you to see a doctor?

If your back pain is from a recent strain or mild injury, your primary care doctor can probably help. But if the pain is severe, ongoing, or accompanied by other symptoms such as

numbness or tingling in your arms or legs

, it may be time to see a back doctor.

Can back pain make you paralyzed?

Emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident include: Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back.

Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body

. Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes.

Can the back heal itself?

The good news is that

in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months

. Initially, your doctor will likely recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever and limit activities that cause pain or discomfort.

How long does Covid back pain last?

“Back pain related to COVID-19 itself often feels different than overexertion,” comments Dr. Fleming. “Pain from overexertion usually lasts a few days, but the pain from COVID-19 may last

days or weeks

.”

What cancers can cause back pain?

  • Spinal tumor. A spinal tumor can grow in the spinal bone or in the protective membranes around the spinal cord. …
  • Lung cancer. …
  • Breast cancer. …
  • Gastrointestinal tract. …
  • Blood and tissue. …
  • Other cancer types.

What does it mean when back pain comes and goes?

If back pain can be associated with a specific activity, such as lifting or twisting wrong, and the pain goes away within 72 hours after resting and applying ice,

it's usually nothing to worry about

. However, if pain creeps on gradually, appears suddenly, or doesn't go away, you might have a more serious condition. ‘

What cancers cause lower back pain?

Some cancers that cause back pain include

spinal tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and blood cancers

. Undiagnosed skin cancer can also spread to the spine, causing back pain. See a doctor if you have back pain that doesn't go away after treatment at home.

Is back ache a symptom of Covid?


Back pain has ranked among some of the most common COVID-19 symptoms in the last few months

, CBS News reported. “Back pain, though common in most viral fevers, but compared to delta, omicron patients tend to have more back pain and less loss of smell and taste,” said Dr.

How do I know if I've had Covid?

Need to Know? Get an Antibodies Test. Antibodies are proteins your body makes to help fight off an infection. The only way to know for certain if you've had COVID-19 is to

have your blood tested to see if you have the antibodies that fight the virus

.

Can I tell if I've had Covid?


An antibody test is a blood test to check if you've either: had coronavirus (COVID-19) before

.

made antibodies to the virus after having the COVID-19 vaccine

.

What is the most common cause of back pain?

Most commonly,

mechanical issues and soft-tissue injuries

are the cause of low back pain. These injuries can include damage to the intervertebral discs, compression of nerve roots, and improper movement of the spinal joints. The single most common cause of lower back pain is a torn or pulled muscle and/or ligament.

What causes back pain in females?

Upper back pain in women is usually due to: Poor posture, like slouching or pushing the head forward while sitting or standing, causing misalignment of the spine. Muscle overuse or strain, usually due to repetitive motions or lifting items or children incorrectly. Injury to discs, muscles and/or ligaments.

What causes lower back pain just above the buttocks?

What Is Sciatica? Sciatica refers to back pain caused by

a problem with the sciatic nerve

. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks, and leg.

Does fatty liver cause back pain?

Fatty liver

doesn't usually cause back pain or other symptoms in its early stages

, although some people report a dull ache in the top right area of their tummy or vague tummy discomfort.

How do you know if your kidneys are hurting?
  1. A dull ache that's usually constant.
  2. Pain under your rib cage or in your belly.
  3. Pain in your side; usually only one side, but sometimes both hurt.
  4. Sharp or severe pain that may come in waves.
  5. Pain that can spread to your groin area or belly.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.