Back pain is the most common cause of disability globally. It affects a majority of adults engaged in long working hours. For this reason, prevention measures should therefore be taken seriously to alleviate this problem. If prevention fails, treatment should be sought promptly and the necessary body exercises undertaken to regain normal function. Among the crucial facts on back pain Conroe residents need to understand are the symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment and prevention measures.
The characteristic features of the discomfort range from burning, piercing to just a dull ache. It usually radiates to either the arms or the legs. When the limbs are involved, the disorder may be associated with weakness, numbness or tingling. The symptoms may come from the muscles, bones, joints or nerves. Sometimes, organs like the gall bladder and pancreas are involved.
Classification of this condition is important in making a diagnosis and management. According to anatomical site involved, the pain can be cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral. Based on how long the discomfort has lasted, it can be acute, sub acute or chronic. The upper limit for acute back ache is twelve weeks. Chronic pain lasts for more than twelve weeks while sub acute falls between six and twelve weeks.
Majority of patients with this kind of discomfort have no underlying disease or pathology. Associated conditions in the minority include metastatic cancer and infections such as osteomyelitis. The most common cause of disability neurologically is disc herniation which often occurs in the lumbar region.
There are certain warning signs of impending complications that need to be given utmost attention. Back ache that occurs after a traumatic event such as a road accident is one of the important warning sign. Also, patients having back problems superimposed on underlying cancer such as those involving the lungs should be examined for metastasis to the spine. Similarly, pain superimposed on bone disease such as osteoporosis should be probed further as the possibility of incurring a fracture of the spine is higher.
Regardless of the technique used in treatment, the goal is to restore comfort and normal functionality of the individual. For patients with chronic back ache, medication may not be the best approach as the drugs only achieve short term relief. Medication may therefore only be suitable for the acute phase. Treatments such as massage and guided exercises may be effective for chronic symptoms.
Surgical treatment usually comes last, when all other treatments fail. It is not considered first line due to the long term risks associated with it. Some of the circumstances where surgery may be considered include dislocation of a spinal disc, compression fracture, scoliosis, degenerative joint disease causing spinal stenosis among other conditions.
About five out of ten women experience back ache in pregnancy. The risk is hardly associated with the weight gain experienced in pregnancy or the birth weight of the baby. Instead, factors standing, sitting, bending forward put the mother at risk. To minimize the risk, the woman should avoid engaging in strenuous activities such as climbing stairs or lifting heavy objects.
The characteristic features of the discomfort range from burning, piercing to just a dull ache. It usually radiates to either the arms or the legs. When the limbs are involved, the disorder may be associated with weakness, numbness or tingling. The symptoms may come from the muscles, bones, joints or nerves. Sometimes, organs like the gall bladder and pancreas are involved.
Classification of this condition is important in making a diagnosis and management. According to anatomical site involved, the pain can be cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral. Based on how long the discomfort has lasted, it can be acute, sub acute or chronic. The upper limit for acute back ache is twelve weeks. Chronic pain lasts for more than twelve weeks while sub acute falls between six and twelve weeks.
Majority of patients with this kind of discomfort have no underlying disease or pathology. Associated conditions in the minority include metastatic cancer and infections such as osteomyelitis. The most common cause of disability neurologically is disc herniation which often occurs in the lumbar region.
There are certain warning signs of impending complications that need to be given utmost attention. Back ache that occurs after a traumatic event such as a road accident is one of the important warning sign. Also, patients having back problems superimposed on underlying cancer such as those involving the lungs should be examined for metastasis to the spine. Similarly, pain superimposed on bone disease such as osteoporosis should be probed further as the possibility of incurring a fracture of the spine is higher.
Regardless of the technique used in treatment, the goal is to restore comfort and normal functionality of the individual. For patients with chronic back ache, medication may not be the best approach as the drugs only achieve short term relief. Medication may therefore only be suitable for the acute phase. Treatments such as massage and guided exercises may be effective for chronic symptoms.
Surgical treatment usually comes last, when all other treatments fail. It is not considered first line due to the long term risks associated with it. Some of the circumstances where surgery may be considered include dislocation of a spinal disc, compression fracture, scoliosis, degenerative joint disease causing spinal stenosis among other conditions.
About five out of ten women experience back ache in pregnancy. The risk is hardly associated with the weight gain experienced in pregnancy or the birth weight of the baby. Instead, factors standing, sitting, bending forward put the mother at risk. To minimize the risk, the woman should avoid engaging in strenuous activities such as climbing stairs or lifting heavy objects.
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