Back Pain Symptoms
Back pain is a symptom of a medical condition, not a diagnosis itself.
Medical problems that can cause back pain symptoms include the following:
Acquired conditions and diseases: Many medical problems can cause or
contribute to back pain symptoms. They include scoliosis, which causes curvature
of the spine and does not usually cause pain until mid-life; spondylolisthesis;
various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and
ankylosing spondylitis; and spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column
that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. While osteoporosis itself is
not painful, it can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae. Other causes of
back pain symptoms include pregnancy; kidney stones or infections;
endometriosis, which is the buildup of uterine tissue in places outside the
uterus; and fibromyalgia, which causes fatigue and widespread muscle pain.
Infections and tumors: Although they are not common causes of back pain,
infections can cause pain when they involve the vertebrae, a condition called
osteomyelitis, or when they involve the discs that cushion the vertebrae, which
is called discitis. Tumors, too, are relatively rare causes of back pain.
Occasionally, tumors begin in the back, but more often they appear in the back
as a result of cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body.
Mechanical problems: A mechanical problem is a problem with the way your
spine moves or the way you feel when you move your spine in certain ways.
Perhaps the most common mechanical cause of back pain is a condition called
intervertebral disc degeneration, which simply means that the discs located
between the vertebrae of the spine are breaking down with age. As they
deteriorate, they lose their cushioning ability. This problem can lead to pain
if the back is stressed. Other mechanical causes of back pain include spasms,
muscle tension, and ruptured discs, which are also called herniated discs.
Injuries: Spine injuries such as sprains and fractures can cause either
short-lived or chronic pain. Sprains are tears in the ligaments that support the
spine, and they can occur from twisting or lifting improperly. Fractured
vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak,
porous bones. Less commonly, back pain may be caused by more severe injuries
that result from accidents and falls.
Although the causes of back pain symptoms are usually physical, it is important
to know that emotional stress can play a role in how severe pain is and how long
it lasts. Stress can affect the body in many ways, including causing back
muscles to become tense and painful.
It is also important to see your doctor if you have back pain along with any
of the following problems: trouble urinating; weakness, pain, or numbness in
your legs; fever; or unintentional weight loss. Such symptoms could signal a
serious problem that requires treatment soon.
Back Pain
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