Lower back pain is common in adults. Thirty-one million Americans suffer from back pain at any given time. If you have back pain, you must be aware of the difficulties that come with it. It can cause constant pain, whether you are sitting, standing, sleeping, or working out.
Many times, back pain goes away on its own without the need for treatments. However, if the pain is persistent, the matter can be more severe than you might have thought. It is essential to know the signs and get medical help for lower back pain in Las Vegas.
Identifying Chronic Back Pain
Acute or short-term back pain comes along suddenly due to heavy workouts, lifting heavy things, awkward movement, or stress. This type of back pain does not last longer than a few weeks and does not pose a threat to your overall health.
On the other hand, chronic back pain lasts for a longer time and can severely affect your health. Unlike acute, chronic back pain builds up for a long time and finally starts causing pain. Chronic pain lasts more than six weeks and is recurrent, meaning that it goes and keeps coming back.
How to Tell the Difference Between Regular and Chronic Back Pain
The symptoms and signs of both regular and chronic back pains are similar, and it is hard to tell the difference between them without the help of a professional eye. The only possible way to tell the difference between them at home is to observe the duration. It is suggested to see a doctor if the pain persists without improving for more than two weeks.
Signs of Chronic Back Pain
Regular back pain gets better within a few weeks with the help of home care, remedies, and over-the-counter medications. It is time to see a doctor if it stays longer than that. Consult your doctor if you suffer from the following:
- Pain persists for more than two to three weeks.
- The pain spreads to your legs and knees.
- You experience unexplained weight loss.
- You feel weakness and numbness in your legs and buttocks.
- You experience bowel and bladder problems.
- You have a fever.
- Muscle spasms and pain that causes difficulty in doing everyday activities.
Risk Factors of Chronic Back Pain
- Back pain occurs most commonly in adults, especially between the ages of 30 and 40.
- People with depression and other mental illnesses are prone to back pain.
- Some types of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.
- A sedentary lifestyle can be a significant reason for back pain.
- Improperly lifting heavy things.
- Smoking.
- Excessive weight.
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