When do you need to consult a physician?
You know the old adage about not assuming things? Well boy is it ever true when it comes to back pain.
The vast majority of back pain is musculoskeletal (originating in the bones & muscles of your back,) but there are some conditions which cause back pain which have little or nothing to do with the back itself. Kidney disease, pancreatic disease, several cancers, and other conditions have back pain as their hallmark symptom.
So what are you supposed to do to help differentiate between run of the mill back pain, and something more insidious? Here are a few pointers, which should only serve as a guideline:
-First of all, if you have back pain (in particular pain which has no clear cause, such as having moved a lot of heavy furniture) which lasts more than 72 hours, go see your physician.
-If your pain is excruciating, don’t wait it out- consult your physician as well.
-If you have ongoing back pain (from arthritis, disc disease- really any idenitfied cause, and the symptoms change in any significant way, for example you suddenly develop sciatica, or other new symptom, consult your physician.
-If you develop incontinence of bowel or bladder, go straight to the ER- do not pass go, do not collect $200. I don’t mean to be glib, but this one is serious, and requires immediate attention. It may seem obvious, but I have had more than one patient who waited several days before telling anyone about this symptom.
-If small movements cause a feeling of ‘electrical shocks’ in your extremities, consult a physician.
These are the big ones which come to mind right now- there are others, but the take home point here is than not all back pain IS back pain, and some is more serious than others. If you have new pain which came from out of nowhere, or you have ongoing pain which has changed in some significant way, you need to be seen by your physician.
Insurance Nightmares…
I am looking for some of your experiences with insurance- particularly those which went less than well. Have you had an insurance nightmare? Please share it with me here- I am preparing a piece on appealing your denial of coverage, based upon a recent horrible experience my family has gone through.
Beautiful sky over Philadelphia last night- Spring is kind of here!
