What Does Your Back Pain Mean?

Many different symptoms of back pain can manifest themselves; and back pain can not only be uncomfortable, but also scary, as it can signal a serious condition. Knowing more information about the different symptoms can help you in knowing the best way to treat your back pain. Some symptoms of back pain can be alleviated at home, while other, more severe symptoms should be diagnosed and treated by your doctor.

Symptoms of Nerve Damage

Back pain symptoms of nerve damage are frequently severe and should be addressed by a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment. Some of these symptoms may include numbness or tingling that goes down into the legs, back pain that wakes you up at night, pain upon urinating or passing bowel movements, and any time fever or chills accompany that back pain. These are all indications of possible nerve damage and you should contact your physician.

Lower Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms of lower back pain include pain when standing for long periods of time or bending. This can be caused from aging as a normal amount of degeneration of the backbones occurs as you age.

If you have lower back pain including pain in the buttocks, legs and ankles accompanied by numbness, this could be a sign of a herniated disk that is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve located in the pelvic region of the back. This pain often occurs only on one side of the body. Seek a doctor's care for this type of pain as in severe cases surgery may be required.

Kidney Stones

Another cause of back pain is the presence of kidney stones. The pain associated with kidney stones includes a sharp pinching pain in the lower back. The doctor can sometimes prescribe medications to remove stone, or the may be removed by laser or surgery. If you have this severe type of back pain, see your doctor to check for the presence of kidney stones.

Constipation

Constipation is another possible explanation for back pain includes pain associated with constipation. The increased size of the colon puts pressure on the nerves and muscles in the lower back and cause pain. Taking laxatives or increasing fiber in the diet may relieve constipation.

Hip and Lower Back Pain

When back pain is also accompanied by hip pain, it could be a sign or a muscle sprain such as a sports injury. Lifting a heavy object can cause stress where the lower back joins the hip and cause pain.

Another reason for hip and lower back pain is wearing shoes without proper support. Often buying a foam or rubber shoe insert will help alleviate this type of back pain.

Sources:

http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/symptoms-of-back-pain/back-pain-symptoms/symptoms-of-back-pain.htm

http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/causes-of-back-pain/back-pain-causing-factors/causes-and-symptoms-of-lower-back-pain.htm

http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/symptoms-of-back-pain/back-pain-symptoms/herniated-disk-symptoms.htm

http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/magazine/edition/Lowbackpain.htm

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/backpain/BAK_symptoms.html