Friday 3 August 2018

By Frank Burns


Back pain is a common symptom, particularly among individuals actively involved in manual and office work. It usually occurs as a result of putting strain to the spine over a long period of time. This symptom can be prevented by observing certain measures such as sitting properly in a comfortable chair for individuals who spend long hours at the office. The problem rarely occurs in children and the elderly and when it does happen, it should be thoroughly investigated to rule out any alarming conditions. If struggling with back pain Loveland residents should understand a number of things beforehand.

The upper margin of the lower back is where the last rib concludes. The lower boundary is at the upper pelvic bone. Discomfort can arise either from the upper or lower region. The origin of this symptom could be bone, muscle, nerves or ligaments. The bones found in this region form the spine which is located at the center. Low backache is more commonly encountered than upper back pain because the former tends to bear all the weight of an individual. In the event that the upper region becomes the focus, other causes apart from muscle strain should be looked into.

As is the case for any medical condition, history taking is important in the diagnostic process. Failure to take a good history may result in misdiagnosis or inadequate management for symptoms that remain concealed. The main secret to obtaining a satisfactory history is establishing a good relationship between the patient and the doctor. If there is no tension between the two, the patient will be willing to share all the relevant details as requested by the doctor.

Once the doctor is assured of the patient stability, a detailed history can be obtained. This includes the exact location of the discomfort, whether the onset was sudden or insidious, how severe the symptom is and how long it has been experienced. In addition, it should be known whether the discomfort is constant or intermittent and whether it is radiating to other body regions.

In instances where there is a deeper problem other than just straining of muscles, the victim usually has additional symptoms. In a situation where infection is the root cause, the individual will also complain of fever. With a localized infection, there may be pus at the affected.

For pain, the patient needs to describe the onset, character, severity, and duration of the same. In addition, the site of the pain should be pointed out and whether the symptom is localized or can be felt even in distant areas. The patient should also be able to tell what activities make the symptoms worse and whether are any relieving factors.

Patients who report unintended weight loss could be suspected to have an underlying tumor. Other symptoms suggestive of cancer include night sweats, fatigue, positive family history and a long duration of symptoms. Road traffic accidents victims are likely to complain of acute backache if the spine was directly involved. With severe cases where the spinal cord is involved, there may be associated paralysis of limbs.

The management of back pain depends on the underlying problem. Once the cause is addressed, the symptom resolves as well. While the underlying cause is still being sought, the patient can benefit greatly from analgesic agents, bed rest and physiotherapy.




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