More Than Just Pain: Seeking Medical Attention For Back Discomfort

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For the most part, backaches are more bark than bite, being indicative of minor conditions not requiring drastic treatments. The major causes of chronic back pain necessitate nothing more than minimally invasive and noninvasive treatments. However, although such instances are infrequent, truly serious cases of back pain do exist.

Ironically, the gravity of back pain itself often has little to do with its actual severity; some very minor backaches can prove to be symptomatic of other, more serious diseases while very intense pains may often merit no more than adequate rest and exercise. Hence it is important to pay close attention to symptoms accompanying the pain.

Given the ambiguous and often painful nature of backaches, it is difficult to tell whether a back pain should be an emergency room affair. A few key details alongside the back pain could be causes for concern and should receive the immediate attention of a medical professional.

Some combinations of symptoms could require immediate examination. For instance, sudden weight loss alongside back pain could be indicative of a tumor whereas acute back pain followed by abdominal pain could be the first signs of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Other causes for concern include back pain that intensifies with sleep and a sudden weakness in the lower body, sometimes accompanied by weakened bladder control.

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Even in the absence of any serious symptoms, people with chronic back pain should seek the advice of a physician to make the appropriate diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment.

Dr. Melanie Novak and the Pain Care Center specialize in the comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of all kinds of chronic pain. Visit this website for more on Dr. Novak and her practice.