Arthritis of the spine
If you have pain within you back, then this could be a sign of a condition much worse – arthritis. A way to know whether it has a possibility of being this is if the pain is mainly within your lower back. This is because the cartilage of the joints within the pine will deteriorate through wear and tear, leading to inflammation and pain within the lower back region. If you think this may be your issue, book in with your GP.
Potential organ damage
You need to think about some of the larger consequences of back pain and one of the biggest ones could be the issue of potential organ damage. Developing organ failure from lower back pain is not as rare as you may think. Inflamed or irritated organs in your torso or pelvic area can actually lead to lower back pain. People who suffer with this often have the pain on one side of their bodies.
Cauda equina syndrome
If you have been experiencing prolonged back pain, you may be suffering with, or developing, Cauda equina Syndrome. This happens as the nerves in the lower-back suddenly become compressed. Other early signs of this are urinary retention, sensory disturbance, and weakness. This syndrome requires emergency hospital admission so, if you believe you are suffering with this, go to your nearest hospital.
A slipped disc
When it comes to dealing with a sore back, it could actually wind up being an indicator of something much worse. Another issue you may be suffering with is having a slipped disc. Disc material deteriorates quickly as you age and what holds it together will weaken also. Therefore its probable, if you are of an older age, that this may be the reason why you have a sore back.
Tumors
In some very rare cases, back pain could be something considerably more serious than just a strain or a trapped nerve. In some cases, you might find that your back pain is caused by a spinal tumor. Although the chances of this being the case are believed to be around 1%, it’s still better not to take the risk.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that arises through back pain, and is where the space around the spinal cord narrows to compress a section of the nerve tissue. Symptoms of this are pain and numbness in the limbs or back and difficulty walking. This mainly occurs in older people as your bones and tissue wear down. A way to combat this is through lumbar decompression surgery.
Pinched nerves
It might be that your back pain has come about as a result of a pinched nerve, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. In this instance, it is something that needs to be identified as early as possible and can only happen if you take steps to deal with your back pain. Only a doctor or nurse can identify it, so get booked in with your doctor as soon as possible.
Thyroid conditions
Something else you need to consider when thinking about your back pain is underlying causes such as weight. It’s a well known fact that obesity is a leading cause of back pain, which creates obvious health issues in itself. What is frequently overlooked, however, are the potential thyroid conditions that could be the root cause. If left untreated, it can cause real harm to your body.
It could shorten your life
As serious as it sounds, this is actually true – and studies have shown it. According to research, people who suffer from back pain are 13% more likely to die early. When you keep this in mind, you can see why it is so important to ensure that this is something that is dealt with in a swift and timely manner. Because the earlier you get it checked, the more likely it will be to be resolved!
Potential hospitalisation
If back pain gets worse, you could end up struggling to deal with it effectively and this could result in you winding up in hospital. This is, of course, something that you want to avoid for all sorts of reasons. By dealing with your sore back in a timely fashion, you can avoid the risk of hospitalization further down the line.
Increases possibility of bone breaks
Something else you need to consider is that back pain could be a symptom of broken bones, such as fractured vertebrae or disc damage. This is very serious and needs to be dealt with, and it means that you might also increase the chances of further bone breaks in the future. Along with this, a fracture or break will worsen the back pain due to the movement that follows it.
Cancer
Now, in most cases back pain will not be cancer, however in rarer cases the back pain can actually be an identifier of spinal, colorectal and ovarian forms of cancer. This is because a huge symptom for these illnesses are back pain. Therefore, it’s crucial not to ignore your back pain, so that you can rule this out as being an issue for you.
High medical costs
If you leave back pain and don’t deal with it in a timely manner, it could wind up leading to other problems. You might be saddled with high costs for things like treatment, medication, and surgery that you could do without. Make sure you deal with your sore back as quickly as you can. It was find the average consumer of back pain will spend up to $2,000 per year on treatments and doctor visits.
Poor sleep quality
One of the biggest issues that you need to keep in mind when it comes to ignoring back pain is that it can impact your sleep as the pain progresses. It is important to make sure you get a good night’s sleep in order to improve your physical and mental well-being overall. This is something that you can help achieve by treating back pain.
Further damage
One of the biggest problems that can come from ignoring your back pain is the fact that there is a chance you could make the problem worse in any number of ways. A sore back is indicative that there might be issues with your spine and, by not addressing this, you run the risk of allowing different problems to arise! There’s countless possibilities, treat your back pain to avoid further damage.
Swelling and stiffness
Swelling and stiffness are common follow-on symptoms of back pain and can create further problems in your life. Fluid build up near the spine and surrounding areas can be painful and, if left untreated, will only get worse. This also increases stiffness, further amplifying any pre-existing mobility issues and decreasing your quality of life over time.
It can be debilitating
Things like arm or leg pain can often be endured without having to inconvenience your life or causing too much permanent damage, but back pain can impact your ability to do anything. It was found that 60% of people blame lower back pain for their reasoning of being physically limited. Even if your back pain is at an early, manageable point, it’s really not one to ignore as the spine is central to your movement.
Loss of bladder control
Back pain often comes with spinal nerve compression and, if left to worsen without any medical intervention, it can begin to impact your vital organs. In turn, you may lose control of your bladder and bowels. As the damage progresses, the sufferer will eventually become incontinent – an uncomfortable and also embarrassing problem. This should not go untreated – so call your doctor immediately!
Muscle de-conditioning
Back pain can be a result of something known as muscle de-conditioning, in which the back is made weaker and begins to lack strength and stability. Muscle de-conditioning can cause the body to feel uncomfortable and immobile, weakening not only the back but other parts of the body as a result. This is one of the most common issues and is fixable but it needs to be addressed before it’s too late.
Degenerative disc disease
Another reason as to why you should not ignore your back pain is that you may be suffering with a nasty disease, rather than the aches of old age. Degenerative disc disease is a back condition which includes age-related changes to the discs, ligaments, and vertebrae. You may realise you are suffering with this through experiencing inflammatory pain, stiffness and decreased flexibility.
Poor posture
Do you want good posture? Then get your back pain sorted! Most of us know that back pain is that it can be restrictive for your posture. It can cause you to hunch over, which, unsurprisingly, helps nothing. As well as making you appear less confident or, worse, lazy, poor posture caused by back pain simply gives you more intense, often irreversible, back pain further down the line.
Surgery
As discussed previously, what seems like regular back pain can instead be a symptom of a slipped disc or cauda equina syndrome. If these, or similar issues, are left to progress, they may require surgery to be dealt with properly. Surgery is not only inconvenient but expensive and, in many cases, traumatic. Sky-high medical bills, time off work and severe pain should be enough to put you off.
Osteoporosis
Back pain that particularly centres in the lower back can be a symptom of osteoporosis. This is yet another issue that can grow into something much worse. It develops as the vertebral body deforms through a fracture, causing the body to suffer with severe back pain. There are many ways to combat this, however, and the first step is to stop ignoring and get booked in with your doctor!
Irreversible mobility damaged
Irreversible mobility problems can be one of the most serious outcomes of ignoring back pain. We’re not talking about limiting movement or restricting posture here – we’re talking about the possibility of needing a wheelchair because you become unable to walk. Untreated issues such as spinal stenosis often begin as back pain but end in life-altering damage.
Infections
Back pain is not just a symptom of issues directly related to your spine. If the sensation is almost entirely new, and coupled with other symptoms such as intense fever or shivers, it is a sign that your body could be fighting off a serious infection. If this is the case, you must seek medical attention to ensure the infection does not develop further. It may be a flu-like virus or spinal infection – it’s always best to check.
It’s the highest contributor to disability in the world
Statistically, back pain is believed to be the biggest cause of disability in the world. It’s typically only temporary and will go away after a few weeks but, nevertheless, you need to try to take decisive action if you are suffering. Try to deal with this issue as soon as you can, and you’ll be back up and running in no time.
Long lasting and repetitive back problems
Untreated back pain is not only unpleasant in the moment but often leads to long lasting and repetitive problems. Just when you think you’ve recovered, the back pain will come right back to haunt you and potentially even become more intense. It can limit your life as you know it, and treating it in a fast and efficient manner is vital to prevent this lasting, recurrent damage.
It may spread
It is always important to be aware of how your body works. Everything is connected – especially your back. Your spinal cord is what keeps you upright – connecting all the important parts of your body. Issues here can cause issues all over. Back pain can eventually become leg and arm pain too, creating shooting pains due to nerve irritation.
Depression and anxiety
Dealing with long-lasting problems will take an obvious physical toll. What people forget is that they often take a mental toll too. Dealing with chronic, long-term back pain can lead to you suffering with things like depression and anxiety, which are not conducive to a happy and positive life. Your mental and physical health are more entwined than you may first assume!
You are not a professional
At this early stage, you are no medical expert. If you think you know what’s going on with your body and causing your back pain, then fine, but always get a second opinion from a real expert. You can’t give yourself a true diagnosis – so why pretend it’s nothing serious? Ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away. Instead, visit a doctor to figure out the problem and how you can heal.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
AS is a condition where the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed and cause swelling and extreme fatigue, as well as the typical pain and stiffness associated with a bad back. It’s a condition that lasts long term, meaning its crucial to get checked as as quickly as possible to reduce the chance of it becoming worse.
Get medicated
There’s no reason to simply suffer with your pain, even if you do not find any serious health conditions. Regardless of the root cause, back pain is just that – pain. In our modern world, pain medication is readily available to ease your suffering, you just need to admit to yourself that you need some help. If you don’t need to go to the doctors, at least go to a pharmacy.
Hereditary diseases
If there’s a history of back pain in your family, then it is something you should take seriously. Many brush it off as an unlucky gene, with back pain being a common trait passed through generations, but forget to take a deeper look into associated diseases that are also inherited. Instead of laughing it off, keep a close eye on your own and your family’s medical records, just to be safe.
Listen to your body
You need to make sure you listen to your body and what it is trying to tell you. Ignoring a sore back is ignoring important signals from your body – going against everything it’s trying to tell you. This can be a recipe for disaster. The body often absorbs the stress of the mind so, even if your back pain is not informing you of a medical issue, it can be a signal for another vital lifestyle change.
It’s more common than you think
Back pain is actually more common than most people realize! This is why you should work on dealing with it as quickly as possible. Indeed, it is estimated that back pain will affect 4 out of 5 people in their lifetime. It’s not an admission of defeat to try and get treated, nor is it a definite sign of a scary truth you’re trying to hide from! It’s usually very treatable, if attacked early.
Confidence
Another, often overlooked, result of back pain is that it can restrict your confidence and freedom. As well as the more serious diseases, you may find yourself unable to wear certain items of clothing, or partake in activities you used to enjoy. Whilst medical issues are perhaps more serious, allowing it to dictate your life and comfort in these other ways is similarly harmful. Addressing your back pain is one step toward the freedom you deserve.
Sciatica
If you are experiencing back pain with numbness and tingling, rather than aches, it should not be ignored! It could be an indicator of other issues, like the compression of thee sciatica nerve. This can lead to the development of a larger condition, sciatica. Though sciatica is common, it is unpleasant as it often spreads beyond the back and spine, causing shooting pains down the side of the body and legs.
Getting treatment early is essential
Ignoring a sore back can be problematic and getting early treatment for something like this is absolutely essential. The vast majority of back pain can be dealt with via treatment, but it needs to be addressed in it’s earliest stages in order to get the best possible outcome from it to restore your back as best as possible.
Delayed trauma
After being through a traumatic event, like having a fall or a crash, the body goes into a numbed state of shock. Many individuals will walk away from the event easily, developing a pain later on that is often missed. Whilst it may feel unrelated, it should not be ignored! If you feel any changes like aches, pinches, or weakness, then see a doctor as soon as possible.
No need to ignore
Aside from all the serious conditions developed when back pain is left untreated,
other reason to not let your back pain go unchecked is that there really is no need these days! Doctor’s appointments are easier to schedule now than they’ve ever been, and you can even opt for telephone or video appointments now to fit things around your schedule. In a lot of cases, you don’t even need to leave the house in order to get a medical opinion, so why wait?