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What is Backache?
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Backache is a symptom, not an illness.
It is one of the most common complaints.
The complaint may be:
1.Constant aching, pain or stiffness that occurs anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips.
2.Sharp pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back, especially after lifting heavy objects or other strenuous activity.
3.Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for long period of time.
Who suffer from Backache?
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About 80 per cent of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.
More men suffer from it than women.
Backache is most common among people in their middle age.
Backache also occurs among young people aged between 16 - 24
Backache can also be hereditary (example: ankylosing spondylosis)
What causes Backache?
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Acute Backache
Acute backache may occur due to
1.back strain from the lifting of a heavy object,
2.from a fall,
3.violent jerk as a car suddenly stops.
4.fracture of the spine or the dislocation of a vertebral disc
Chronic Backache
Chronic backache may be caused by
1.Osteoarthritis with degeneration of the spinal column when one vertebra slips forward on the one immediately below it
2. slipped disc. The discs act as cushions between two vertebral bones but due to degeneration in old age, or in cases when the spine has been injured before, a slipped disc may occur.
3.Bad posture can also lead to chronic backache such as sitting for long hours in an incorrect position. The right position is to stand up or sit up straight instead of slouching in a couch when watching TV. If the bad posture is prolonged, backache may occur.
4.sprains in the muscles of the back and
5.gynaecological problems (such as ovarian tumours,fibroids) and pregnancy.
7. Cancer of the organs of pelvic region such as bladder or prostate
8. Cancer of the spine from primary bone marrow or secondary spread.
How can Backache be prevented?
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1.Maintain the correct posture at all times. When standing or sitting, ensure that your back is kept straight instead of a slouched position.
2.support your back and use a cushion when necessary.
3.Correct furniture can also help to prevent the occurrence of backache.
Use chairs of a proper height in relation to the table or desk.
4.Sleep on a firm mattress
5. Do not wear high heels
6. Keep your back straight when carrying heavy item.Keep the item close to the body.
7.Do not bend the back to carry heavy objects. Bend the knees and keep the back straight
8.Exercise is another good way to prevent backache by strengthening the back muscles. However, if you have had back injuries before such as a slipped disc, do be cautious when you exercise.
What to do when Backache occurs?
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1. maintain good posture and rest the back.
2.Ice packs can provide relief for backaches. Ice packs will help to reduce the swelling and inflammation.
3.Heat treatment will help improve circulation and reduce stiffness.
4.Painkiller like paracetamol may relieve pain
If pain persists, do consult a doctor.
When should you see a doctor for Backache?
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You should see a doctor under the following conditions:
1. backache is severe and acute.
2.backache starts suddenly and is severe enough to prevent you from work.
3.backache is accompanied with associated pain in legs or weakness and tingling in the legs or back.
4. painkillers and other therapies do not help to relieve pain and your backache is getting worse.
5.pain increases when you cough or bend forward at the waist. This could be a sign of a herniated disk. Try to lie flat with a pillow under your knees.
6.pain follows an injury and is accompanied by sudden loss of bladder or bowel control. If you have difficulty moving any limb, or if you feel numbness, pain, or tingling in a limb, you may have injured your spinal cord.
7.backache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, muscle weakness, pain down an arm or leg, or bowel or bladder disturbances
8.pain is still present after two to three days of rest.
9.pain lasts longer than 72 hours.
10.pain radiates into the legs,
11.other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss occur,
12.pain is in one side of the small of your back accompanied by a sick feeling and fever. You may have a kidney infection.
13.the pain in your back extends downward along the back of the leg. You may be suffering from sciatica.
14.dull pain in one area of your spine when trying to lie down or getting out of bed, especially if you are over 50 years of age. You may be suffering from osteoarthritis.
15.pain is felt in both thighs when walking. This can be a symptom of spinal stenosis (the narrowing of the lower spinal canal).
16.persistent backache may also be an indication of an undetected cancer of the colon,ovary,bladder or prostate.
How to investigate the cause of Backache?
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1.Full medical history especially of injuries, type of work, onset of pain,radiation to the arms or legs, changes in bowel or bladder habit, loss of weight
2. Full medical examination especially of movement of the back ,any deformity of the spine, abdominal swelling, straight leg raising test
3. X-ray of the Spine: to exclude fracture, osteoarthritis, dislocation,deformity, bone tumour,
4. X-ray of abdomen to exclude any tumours in the abdomen pressing against the spine
5.MRI of spine for slipped disc,tumours,fracture
6.Bone density test to exclude osteoporosis
7.Blood tests for calcium, protein,kidney function,cancer markers, RA factor
8. Urine and stool tests for blood,
A definite diagnosis can then be made and the cause of the pain treated.
What is the Treatment of Backache?
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Symptomatic:
Painkillers and muscle relaxants
Ice packs or heat treatment
Physiotherapy to strengthen muscles
Good posture and firm mattress
Avoid aggravating factors like high heels, overstretching muscles,excessive strenous activities
Curative:
The cause must be found and treated. Examples are fractures due to injury.
Causes like cancer and aged related illness(osteoarthritis) may not be cured but may improved with treatment.
