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FAQ's
Lower back pain can be categorized into 3 categories concerning the persisting time. However, the periods might differ from person to person.
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Acute: Acute back pain persists for a few days to 4 weeks.
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Moderate or sub-acute: Moderate or sub-acute back pains are in-between acute and chronic pain that usually lasts for 4 to 12 weeks.
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Chronic: This category of back pain lasts for a longer period of 12 weeks or more.
If the back pain does not alleviate within 72 hours[11] and tends to be more severe followed by other symptoms then it can be a matter of concern. Seek medical help when you experience the following symptoms:
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Pain persists for over a week
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Constant high fever
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Bowels or urination problem, painful and often contains blood
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Nausea or vomiting
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Weakness in the lower body or limbs (numbness or tingling)
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Pain radiates to other parts of the body
Sudden lower back pain should be treated as early as possible to avoid major health risks. Some methods to treat common lower back pains are mentioned below:
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Stay hydrated
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Move your muscles by doing light exercises and stretches
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Maintain a good or correct posture
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Maintain a healthy weight
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Apply hot or cold compression
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Take food rich in mineral and vitamin supplements
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OTC medications and spray or ointments can help to relieve the pain
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One can also use Carisoprodol (Soma pills) and Tapentadol. These prescribed medications help to provide relief from the excruciating pain within 30 minutes of ingesting the pills.
According to research conducted in 2020, it has been reported that back pain is the most common early symptom of Covid. The report shows that 69.3 percent of 210 people diagnosed with COVID, reported pain as their symptom. Of which 46.6 percent of the total percent reported pain as the major symptom and 43.6 percent reported back pain. Other reports also show that 10 percent of the people diagnosed with COVID had back pain as one of the symptoms.[10]
However, suffering from lower back pain does not always confirm that you have COVID. It can be the result of injury, posture, or other underlying health issues.
We often feel a sudden and sharp lower back pain. This can be due to several reasons such as injury of the muscles or ligaments, muscle spasms, or strain or tear in the muscle or ligaments of the body. If the pain lasts for a longer period, do not panic and do consult a health expert.
Lower back pain can be due to muscle sprain or strain. Such pain as a sign of cancer is rare but we cannot deny that it can also be a possible reason indicating cancer. Cancers related to spinal cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, or tumor in the surrounding area of the back can result in lower back pain.
Some symptoms of lower back pain that could indicate cancer are mentioned below:
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Back pain is not sensitive or related to movement
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Back pain that occurs at night time or morning hour and alleviates during the daytime
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Pain that lasts even after taking medical treatments or therapies
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Unexplained weight loss
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Tiredness or fatigue
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Bowel and urination issues that cause pain or contain blood
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Weakness or numbness of the limbs
One can know if the back pain is kidney-related by closely monitoring the exact location of the pain. Back pain usually occurs in the lower part of the back whereas kidney-related pain occurs in the higher up part of the back under the ribs. Back pain can be the most common symptom of muscle sprain or spams which is different from kidney-related back pain which occurs due to infection of the kidneys or pyelonephritis or other kidney-related problems. Moreover, the symptoms related to both the pain are different. Some kidney-related pain symptoms are:
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High fever
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Frequent need to urinate
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Pain or burning sensation while urinating
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Chills or trembling
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Nausea or vomiting
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Change in the smell or color than regular urine
Organs that are present near the lower back area are kidneys, pancreas, colons, and uterus. However, the back pain caused due to these organs is experienced near the area where the organ is present. Therefore we cannot confirm that organs are the sole reason for lower back pain. Taking a note of the exact location of the pain can indicate the reason or the cause of the back pain which will in turn help in getting the right treatment.
A herniated disc is a condition related to the protective cushion that lies between the vertebrae and that prevents the spinal bones from colliding or coming together. It can occur in any part of the spine but usually occurs in the lower back. When bulging and herniated disc occurs it can cause excruciating pain. However, a person can also be asymptotic to this condition showing no signs of pain in the back or leg.
Before knowing the symptoms of pain in the lower back it is very important to know the types of pain related to the lower back. Lower back pain is usually of two types:
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Mechanical pain and
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Radicular pain
Mechanical pain is the common cause of lower back pain. It is related to muscles, ligaments, joints, or bones near the spine. Such type of pain is usually experienced in the lower back part, buttocks area, and occasionally on the upper part of the legs. Radicular pain occurs due to inflammation of the spinal nerve which causes sharp and radiating pain.
Some symptoms of lower back pain are
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Dull or sore pain persistent in the lower back
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Muscle spasms or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or the pelvis
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Adverse pain resulting from constant sitting or standing
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Sharp sciatica
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Exceedingly onerous in walking or stanging or changing positions from standing to sitting or vice versa
Lower back pain is a very common medical issue. It occurs in the lower back part of the body called the lumbar region. The lumbar region is the area of the lumbar spine that starts from beneath the ribcage. The lumbar spine interconnects the muscles, nerves, bones, joints, and ligaments. It is responsible for providing strength, support, and flexibility to the body.
es, lower back pain can also cause other symptoms. The pain caused due to lower back can radiate to the other parts of the body resulting in “referred pain”. Referred pain is a term that is used when the pain originates in some other part and the threshold of the pain is felt at another part of the body. Lower back pain can cause disability or difficulty in motor coordination and other related health conditions.
UTI or Urinary Tract Infection is an infection related to the urinary system which comprises the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. It causes symptoms like pain during urination, frequent urination, or pain in the lower abdomen. When an upper UTI occurs that reaches the kidneys it can cause excruciating lower back pain followed by high fever and vomiting.
Lower back pain differs from person to person concerning the intensity and nature of the pain. Some might experience dull and fluctuating pain others might experience severe and persistent sharp pain. When the lower back pain gets severe and constant medical help and treatment should be sought as early as possible to avoid major health issues and life-threatening risks.
The twist and turn while you sleep can add up to your misery. So, if you are having issues with settling your score with body pain and discomfort it is important to consider a pain-free sleeping position. Lower back pain can be very excruciating and can be bothersome, especially during the nighttime. Back pain and sleeping issues are interrelated. It can make you uncomfortable and interfere with your sleep pattern resulting in sleep disorders. Some favorable sleeping positions for lower back pain are mentioned below:
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If you want to lay on your back, lay down in a reclined position
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Consider using a firm mattress.
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Lying on your back by placing a pillow underneath your legs, knees, and lower back can help maintain the natural spinal curve.
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If you like lying on your stomach place a pillow under the hips and abdomen
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Lying on the side in a fetal position can help with lower back pain and herniated disc
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Lay down on your side by placing a pillow between the knees this removes the pressure from the lower back muscles
Lower back pains usually get better on their own. Reports show that about 90 percent of the total people suffering from back pain recover within 4 to 6 weeks[12]. However, this period might be different from person to person depending on the cause and the threshold or severity of the pain. However, if the pain persists for more than 6 to 8 weeks then consult a health expert. Health experts might run a series of tests to know the root cause of the pain thereby suggesting and prescribing treatments and diagnoses accordingly.