What other problems can back pain cause?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:When you injure your back, it's not just the injury itself that causes problems, but the collateral damage, as well. That can come in the form of straining other muscles as you try to compensate for your bad back. In addition, you can also develop inflammation around the nerves (which is why such things as rehab, fish, fish oil or the DHA equivalent, and anti-inflammatory meds like naproxen or ibuprofen or sometimes even steroids can be helpful). Also, having a bad back means you subject yourself to a dangerous domino effect: You can't exercise and can't have sex, and then you become depressed because you can't exercise or have sex. And it even hurts to cough or go to the bathroom. If you don't take care of the problem, your health may begin a downward spiral.
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When you injure your back, it's not just the injury itself that causes problems, but the collateral damage, as well. That can come in the form of straining other muscles as you try to compensate for your bad back. In addition, you can also develop... More -
Dr. Matthew McCarty answered:80% of people will have back pain at some time in their life. The annual cost of this problem is 120 Billion dollars in the US and this includes money from lost wages and treatment. Most back pain is self-limited but if it persists can lead to numerous days of missed work which can ultimately affect income. If left untreated the pain can affect sleep and result in mood disturbances that begin to strain relationships. The physical consequences of poorly treated back pain include hypertension, depression and even elevated blood sugar. Often due to inactivity weight gain occurs leading to a host of ills such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular deconditioning.
80% of people will have back pain at some time in their life. The annual cost of this problem is 120 Billion dollars in the US and this includes money from lost wages and treatment. Most back pain is self-limited but if it persists... More -
Dr. Akash Bajaj answered:Back Pain is a very common condition, and has several potential causes. Most back pain is self-limited and will resolve on its own. However, if back pain does not self-resolve, the initial diagnostic pursuit may illuminate the origin.
Depending on the origin of the pain, other problems may be associated. The pain can be related to musculoskeletal origins (sprain/strain), neuropathic origins (radiculopathy, "sciatica", stenosis), a result of scar tissue from previous back surgery, arthritis, trauma related injury encompassing all of the above, positional, or a combination of all of the above.
Other issues that may arise with the initial insulting injury, i.e. the back pain, include a change in balance, posture, gait, weight bearing, difficulty sitting, standing, walking, or lying in certain positions. The latter can in turn lead to non-restful sleep leading to inadequate sleep hygiene causing a deleted healing process.
Also, the above issues may change the level of activity one can participate in, ultimately leading to weight gain, sedentary lifestyle, and potentially other related disease processes associated, such as diabetes.
Of course, each patient is unique and the protracted course is difficult to generalize, but in general, the more proactive one is in diagnosing & treating back pain, and them maintaining an appropriate regimen, the better one's prognosis.
Back Pain is a very common condition, and has several potential causes. Most back pain is self-limited and will resolve on its own. However, if back pain does not self-resolve, the initial diagnostic pursuit may illuminate the origin. Depending on... More
