What is back pain? It is pain felt in the back and almost everyone is familiar with it. It is so common that most people deal with back pain at some stage of their life. When they encounter it for the first time they want to know what is back pain and how to prevent or treat it. Back pain can occur at any age but it usually affects adults who are above thirty five years old. According to professionals, back pain is connected with the muscles, bones and ligaments in our body. If you are feeling pain in the lower back then the problem can originate from spinal cord, nerves, bony lumbar spine, discs that are between the vertebrae, lower back muscles, ligaments around the spine, abdomen, pelvic internal organs etc. If it is in the upper back then it can be from the tumors in the chest, disorders of the aorta, spine inflammation etc. Some medical conditions can develop low back pain. They are anxiety, smoking, obesity, depression, stress from work, pregnancy, sedentary lifestyle, strenuous physical work and exercise etc. Women suffer from back pain more than men.
Many want to know what is back pain and what are its symptoms? The primary symptom is obviously pain felt in the back. Sometimes back pain spreads to bottom and legs. Some symptoms that occur with back pain can be dangerous if left ignored. Symptoms that require consulting with a doctor are: pain down the legs, weight loss, fever, continuous back pain, inflammation in back, numbness in bottom, injury in the back, problem in urinating, unintentional urinating etc. Back pain can be severe for patients who have cancer or low immune systems. Even someone who has recovered from cancer should consult a doctor if back pain persists.
The back of a person has ligaments, muscles, disks, bones, tendons etc. in a complex structure. Dysfunction in any one can cause back pain. Often the cause of back pain cannot be pinpointed. Strains are the most common causes of back pain. Strain can happen to both muscles and ligaments. You can also get muscle spasm for awkward movement. Most people get strain from lifting heavy things in an improper manner. A poor posture always complicates health related issues. A straight posture can solve and prevent a lot of problems. Many people tend to bend awkwardly too.
Physicians know what is back pain more than you do so you should seek the help of a professional if the pain period is dragging on for too long. A trained professional can easily diagnose your condition and provide you appropriate guidelines. The physician will carry out physical examination and an interview to diagnose your pain. If the physician suspects a potential injury in your back then he\she will probably suggest some tests. Depending on your condition and the seriousness of the injury then can be x-ray, MRI, CT scan, EMG, bone scan etc. Acute form of back pain usually subsides on its own. If you want to know more on what is back pain then you can get an appointment from a health professional who can answer all your queries.