Telltale Signs it’s Time to Call a Doctor for Back Pain
If your back pain is severe, you might try some at-home remedies. But when should you see a doctor? If you have any of the following symptoms, it’s time to make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Telltale Signs it’s Time to Call a Doctor for Back Pain
1 – The Pain Has Been Present for Over a Week
Back pain usually develops suddenly, but it can also be caused by repetitive stress or an injury, such as lifting something too heavy or falling. If your back pain has been going on for a few weeks, you may be experiencing a more serious problem and may need to see a doctor get rid of it.
2 – The Pain Extends to Other Body Parts
If you can’t get your back pain to subside and you notice other unusual sensations or symptoms, it’s time to call a doctor. If your back pain gets worse and you’re experiencing pain in your legs and/or numbness, or your urine becomes dark, see your doctor. This is a sign that you may have a serious blood clot forming or possibly a tumor or infection.
3 – You Experience a Fever
You should also call your doctor if you have a fever and stiff, aching back pain. It may be the sign of a serious problem like an infection, or it can occur when other health problems like fibromyalgia develop. If you notice that your back pain worsens after you take a hot bath, it could be a sign of a more serious infection.
4 – Your Pain Goes Away, Comes Back, and Then Goes Away Again
If your back pain goes away for a few days, and then returns, and then goes away again, it’s probably a result of strain. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s not always normal, either. The next day, if your pain comes back, you should contact a doctor.
5 – Your Pain Is Extreme
If your back pain is extremely severe, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. The pain could be a sign that you have a herniated disc or you could have a tumor. Severe back pain can also be caused by a fall, an injury, a disease, or a pinched nerve. The pain may even be an indicator of a heart attack. If it’s worse than any of the other pains on this list, you should see a doctor immediately.
6 – You Experience Strange Symptoms
While fever, numbness, and tingling are clear signs of a serious cause of your pain, there are a few lesser-known symptoms that may be more of a red flag. If you suffer from back pain and also experience frequent urination, a fever, or weakness, your pain isn’t normal. If you feel dizzy, weak, or confused, you should contact a doctor.
Conclusion
Before you can move on from back pain, you have to first determine the cause of your pain. That requires seeing a doctor, but there are also things you can do to reduce your pain and possibly cure your back pain completely. Make sure you’re doing all you can to relieve your pain and move forward with your life. You deserve it!
If you are experiencing chronic back pain, Rhythmic Health can help. We believe (and science agrees) that many health challenges can be solved with relatively small changes to daily life. We think of it as “finding your healthy rhythm.” And we’re driven to help each person find theirs. We do this by scouring the planet for the best on-the-ground experts to solve each specific health challenge.
