PUTTING your back out can be excruciating though usually it’s nothing to worry about.
But did you know that in some cases, back pain can prove lethal?
Although back pain can be excruciating, it is mostly treatable[/caption]
It’s estimated around six in 10 people will experience lower back pain at some point in their life due to movements such as lifting heavy boxes, scrunching over a laptop or muscle strain.
Although it can be agonising, it is largely treatable.
Dr Naveen Puri, medical director at Bupa UK Insurance, tells Sun Health: “Back pain is common and usually is nothing to worry about.
“Usually, it’s reassuring if the pain is manageable with home exercises, stretches and anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen.
“If you’re able to carry out day-to-day tasks while managing the pain, that’s often an indication that it could be caused by a temporary muscular issue.”
However, he adds: “There are exceptions to every rule.”
Red flags
You might have just pulled a muscle clearing the gutters out, but depending on your symptoms, there could be something more serious going on.
Chiropractor Dean Blackstock, member of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), says: “Around 80 per cent of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives and most cases are not a sign of something serious, often easing within a few days or weeks.
“However, some symptoms, known as red flags, may indicate an underlying issue.”
Key red flags to look out for, when they appear alongside back pain, include:
- Pain after trauma (e.g. a car accident or significant fall)
- Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness in the limbs
- Partial or complete loss of bowel and/or bladder control
- Difficulty urinating
- Unexplained recent weight loss without changes in diet or exercise
- Fever accompanying back pain
- Persistent pain lasting over six weeks despite at-home treatment
- Back pain that is worse after eating or associated with vomiting
- Back pain that is not made worse by back movement or leg raising
- If the pain isn’t just isolated to your back, and spreads to at least one of your legs
Dean says red flags one to seven “could suggest conditions such as spinal infections, fractures or tumours”.
Ross Carter, trustee at Pancreatic Cancer Action and a retired pancreatic cancer surgeon, says red flags eight to 10, when experienced alongside gradually worsening mid-back pain, “can sometimes indicate more significant pancreatic disease”.
But in all cases, sufferers should seek help.
Dean adds: “If you’re experiencing any [of these red flags] or have concerns, your first step should always be to contact a healthcare professional immediately.
“Call 111, your GP, or visit your local A&E department.”
Life-threatening conditions
Pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis
Ross explains: “Back pain can occasionally be a symptom of life-threatening pancreatic conditions such as cancer or pancreatitis.”
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most lethal cancer in the UK and the 10th most common.
Ross says: “It is often dubbed the ‘silent killer’ due to its subtle and easily overlooked symptoms.
“Recognising these signs is crucial for early diagnosis and improved outcomes.
“Common symptoms include: persistent indigestion or heartburn, abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the upper abdomen or back, unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), changes in bowel habits, and new-onset diabetes.”
Early intervention can often improve outcomes and minimise the risk of further complications
Dean Blackstock
Only 10 per cent of patients with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed in time for life-saving surgery, so if you have back pain and any other red flag symptoms, speak to your GP urgently.
Pancreatitis – where the pancreas is inflamed due to things like alcohol abuse or gallstones – tends to be quite treatable.
But in cases of severe acute pancreatitis, people can develop serious complications that can be life threatening.
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most lethal cancer in the UK and the 10th most common.[/caption]
Spinal tumours
Dr Puri says: “Cancers that directly affect your back can lead to back pain, e.g. spinal tumours.”
Spinal tumours and primary spinal cord tumours are very rare but can occur.
They are often linked with pain, numbness and weakness in the body and loss of bladder and bowel control.
Secondary cancers
Some back pain can be a result of cancers that have spread from elsewhere.
Dr Puri says: “Cancer in other parts of the body that have the potential to spread to the back include bone marrow cancer (myeloma), breast cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer and testicular cancer.”
He adds: “Back pain that is linked to cancer is usually accompanied by other symptoms.
“Many symptoms can be linked, but they can include breathlessness, fatigue without an obvious cause, and bowel habit changes.”
Back pain is usually nothing to worry about, but sometimes can be a sign of something sinister[/caption]
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
AAA is when the artery that carries blood from the heart to the tummy swells, and if it ruptures, it can kill.
Sam Bhide, an advanced practice physiotherapist, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) spokesperson and clinical director and founder of Physiozen ltd, explains: “Severe low back pain accompanied by abdominal or pelvic pain may indicate a vascular emergency, particularly in individuals with a history of metabolic syndrome i.e. heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes.”
She says to seek immediate emergency care if you experience:
- Sharp, or severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back and legs
- Pain that does not improve in any position
- Bruising over the abdomen
Sam adds: “These symptoms may indicate an AAA or in some cases, bruising on the abdomen can indicate rupture, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent hospital referral.”
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is “a rare, one-in-a-million, but serious neurological condition caused by compression of the cauda equina nerves,” explains Sam.
While usually treatable, it is considered a medical emergency.
Sam says: “Seek urgent care at A&E if you experience any of the following within the past 14 days alongside low back pain”:
- New onset loss of bowel control related to low back pain
- New onset difficulty initiating urination or increased urgency and frequency of urination related to low back pain
- Loss of sensation in the perineum or genital region (saddle anesthesia)
- New difficulties with erection, ejaculation, or other sexual dysfunction
- Sudden leg weakness, giving way, or loss of balance while walking
Sam adds: “Delayed treatment can lead to permanent nerve damage, making immediate emergency assessment essential.”
When to call 999 for back pain
CALL 999 or go to A&E if you have back pain and:
- Pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs
- Numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
- Difficulty peeing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control (peeing or pooing yourself)
- Chest pain
- It started after a serious accident, such as a car accident
Do not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
When back pain is just back pain
Back pain usually is just that, with no underlying problems.
But back pain alone can be very unpleasant and significantly affect your day-to-day life.
Dr Puri says: “This kind of pain can feel very debilitating, especially if it stops you from being as active or as social as you’d like to be.
“Where your pain starts to affect your emotions, it can deepen its impact on your daily life.
“Research shows that dwelling on your pain, and avoiding activities that make you worried you may injure your back again, can slow your recovery, and make you feel more stressed.”
He recommends speaking to a health professional if you’re struggling.
“They may be able to offer you talking therapies, physiotherapy or psychological therapy to help manage what you’re going through physically and emotionally,” he adds.
If your symptoms are mild with no red flags, you could also consider seeing a chiropractor.
Chiropractor Dean says: “Early intervention can often improve outcomes and minimise the risk of further complications.
“Most back pain isn’t serious, but staying informed and acting early can protect your health.”
What the location of your back pain really means
THE location of your back pain could indicate you are suffering anything from organ problems to pinched nerves.
Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, and Nadia Alibhai, a celebrity osteopath who regularly appears on TV, say these are the potential causes:
- Sides: kidney problems, pancreatitis, bowel inflammation, womb contraction, pregnancy
- Spine: degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, arthritis, cauda equina syndrome
- Lower back: muscle injury, spasms, herniated discs, cancer
- Upper back: pinched nerves
- Back or neck: misalignment, lack of flexibility
You can read the full article here.
