When should I be worried about lower back pain?

You've Been in Pain for Over a Week

Most back pain will subside after a few days, but if you've been experiencing pain for over a week, then it's time to call a doctor. Your doctor will perform any examinations or tests required to help get to the bottom of your pain before it could become a bigger problem.

How do you know when back pain is more serious?

What back pain signs and symptoms indicate something more serious is going on?

Sudden spike in pain, discomfort, weakness or numbness.
Loss of bladder function.
High fever.
Severe stomach pain.
Unexplainable weight loss.
The pain results from a fall or severe blow to your back.

When should I take lower back pain seriously?

When lower back pain is serious

As a general rule, if your lower back pain does not subside within 1 to 2 weeks, you should visit your doctor. Odds are that your pain is not a sign of a medical emergency, but a doctor can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

How long should you have lower back pain before seeing a doctor?

If your back pain lasts more than two weeks and keeps you from participating in normal, daily activities, see your family doctor. If your pain is severe, you should see a doctor sooner. You should seek urgent medical care if you have: Fever associated with back pain.

How can you tell if back pain is muscular or something else?

Symptoms include:

Pain that gets worse when you move, especially when bending or stretching.
Difficulty standing up straight.
Swelling or bruising in a specific area.
Sharp or achy pain, usually limited to the lower back and buttocks area.
Spasm-like pain or cramps.

37 related questions found

How do you know if back pain is muscle or disc?

The lower back and neck are the most flexible parts of your spine, and they're also where most herniated discs occur. While pain in your mid-back may be related to a disc, it's more likely caused by muscle strain or other issues. Your symptoms feel worse when you bend or straighten up from a bent position.

How can I tell if my back pain is kidney related?

Kidney pain is felt higher and deeper in your body than back pain. You may feel it in the upper half of your back, not the lower part. Unlike back discomfort, it's felt on one or both sides, usually under your rib cage. It's often constant.

What cancers cause lower back pain?

Blood and tissue cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and melanoma can all cause lower back pain.

What does it mean when back pain comes and goes?

'If back pain can be associated with a specific activity, such as lifting or twisting wrong, and the pain goes away within 72 hours after resting and applying ice, it's usually nothing to worry about. However, if pain creeps on gradually, appears suddenly, or doesn't go away, you might have a more serious condition. '

Why is my lower back pain not going away?

Lower back pain usually gets better with rest and pain relievers. Back pain that doesn't go away may be a sign of a more serious condition. See your provider if you have: Pain that doesn't get better after about a week of at-home care.

What are 3 causes of lower back pain?

While every patient's case is unique, the most common causes of lower back pain include:

Muscle or Spinal Ligament Strain. ...
A Ruptured or Bulging Disc. ...
Scoliosis. ...
Osteoarthritis. ...
Osteoporosis.

Why is my lower back suddenly hurting?

Acute low back pain is most often caused by a sudden injury to the muscles and ligaments supporting the back. The pain may be caused by muscle spasms or a strain or tear in the muscles and ligaments. Causes of sudden low back pain include: Compression fractures to the spine from osteoporosis.

What organs cause lower back pain?

As well, organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, colon, and uterus are located near your lower back. All of these can be responsible for pain in the left side of your lower back, so there are many potential causes. While many require treatment, most aren't serious.

What does a tumor feel like in your back?

About 70% of spinal tumors are located in the thoracic spine. Deep ache. Spinal tumor pain may feel like an achiness or discomfort deep within the back, rather than feeling painful on the surface or skin. Sharp or shock-like pain.

Why is back pain at night a red flag?

“Severe night pain is cited as a 'red flag' by the [U.S.] Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research [AHCPR] guidelines [1994] to alert the clinician to the possible presence of tumour or infection,” the authors asserted.

What causes lower back pain in females?

Lower back pain is a common symptom of PMS, a condition most women experience during menstruation. However, severe lower back pain may be a symptom of conditions like PMDD and dysmenorrhea. It may also be a symptom of a more serious condition called endometriosis.

What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?

Light-brown or tea-colored urine can be a sign of kidney disease/failure or muscle breakdown.

Where does your back hurt with a kidney infection?

The pain of kidney infection may be felt on the sides (flanks) and the back. Unlike the classical back pain due to muscle or bone involvement, which typically affects the lower back, kidney pain is felt higher up and at a greater depth.

What are the first signs of kidney problems?

Signs of Kidney Disease

You're more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. ...
You're having trouble sleeping. ...
You have dry and itchy skin. ...
You feel the need to urinate more often. ...
You see blood in your urine. ...
Your urine is foamy. ...
You're experiencing persistent puffiness around your eyes.

What does a slipped disc feel like in lower back?

If you have a herniated lumbar disc, you may feel pain that radiates from your low back area, down one or both legs, and sometimes into your feet (called sciatica). You may feel a pain like an electric shock that is severe whether you stand, walk, or sit.

What are the 3 categories of back pain?

3 Types of Back Pain and What They Mean

Acute Pain. Acute pain, or short-term pain, can last anywhere from a day up to four weeks. ...
Subacute Pain. Subacute pain lasts anywhere from four to 12 weeks. ...
Chronic Pain. Chronic pain lasts longer than 12 weeks.

What does a pinched nerve in back feel like?

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include: Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)

What causes lower back pain just above the buttocks?

Sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks, and leg.

Is lower back pain serious?

Anyone can experience lower back pain at any time, even if you don't have a prior injury or any of the risk factors. It is not always serious and can often get better on its own. But in some cases pain is your body's way of telling you that something isn't right.