When back pain is a sign of something more serious

Back pain is a common problem, and it's usually not a sign of a serious health condition. However, some symptoms can indicate a larger problem. Read on and see if any of these situations apply to you ― if they do, check with your doctor.

If you have not only a sore and achy back, but also a fever, it's possible that you have the flu.

Having a fever along with back pain could also be a sign of a more serious infection or disease.

Your doctor can figure out if the ache and fever are a symptom of the same unrelated illness, or if an infection or problem with your back is causing the fever.

Sometimes, backaches can coincide with problems that affect your bladder as well.

If you have lasting frequent urination in addition to a back ache, consider seeing your doctor.

It could be that you're suffering from interstitial cystitis, a disease that attacks the inside lining of the bladder.

Since it manifests in the lower, rear part of the body, bladder pain often disguises itself as back pain.

So, if you have problems with both urination and pain in your back, there's a chance that it's referred pain from a different part of the body.

Back aches come and go with exercise or illness, but if your back ache persists long after you've been active or sick, consider seeing a doctor.

A more serious underlying disorder could be causing  your back ache to persist. These disorders include things like degenerative disc diseases and arthritis.

Doctors can check for these conditions and also make sure you're not living with an unknown back injury.

A pins-and-needles feeling with a backache may be a sign of something more serious going on with your spine.

Numbness and backaches are often two major signs of a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, which can lead to long-term nerve damage and crippling, irreparable back pain.

See your doctor right away if you have tingling and numbness with your back pain, as he or she can diagnose and treat a serious back condition before it does permanent damage.

If any of the above descriptions match the kind of back pain that you experience, the best thing you can do is go and see your doctor. He or she can help you get back on your feet and set you on the path to living free from back pain.