Back Pain :. Medical causes of back pain

Medical Causes of Back Pain

For people who suffer from chronic lower back pain that has no real acute cause, there may be a medical reason for it. If you are over 60 years of age and experiencing sudden, very painful, unexplained back pain you may be suffering from arthritis or possibly a collapsed vertebrate. Neither condition is dangerous but it can be extremely painful. You will need to see your health care provider for how to deal with this problem.

An injury when you were younger that may not have healed properly may cause back pain that only occurs sporadically and then settles in the lower spine may be the first symptoms of spondylolisthesis or spondylosis developing. Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips over another one and causes compression or pinching of a nerve. Spondylosis is a deformity or degeneration of the joint between two vertebra that causes a narrowing of the space between the vertebra and results in compression or pinching of a nerve. These conditions develop because a person was either born with the conditions or had an previous injury that cause it. Fortunately, the treatment is straight forward and consists of easing off the excessive physical activity, rests and taking anti-inflammatory medications if prescribed by the family doctor.

One other medical cause of lower back pain can be ankylosing spondylitis which is a type of arthritis. The primary sign is stiffness first thing upon rising and swelling of the joints. Taking mild anti-inflammatory medication is usually enough to treat mild cases. Warm compresses, consisting of a heating pad or a hot water bottle may give additional benefit. If the pain persists then you should visit your doctor.

During pregnancy, especially the third trimester, a form of back pain may develop, called sciatica, which heat treatment should help. See your family physician, immediately, if it gets worse or you have a fever or any bleeding with the back pain as these are signs of a more serious problem developing.

Occasionally, lower back pain can be the first sign of something more serious. If back pain is accompanied with blood in your urine or a burning when you urinate then you may have a kidney infection. Kidney stones can also cause back pain, blood in the urine and the burning sensation. If either of these symptoms occur, you should report to your doctor immediately.