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The seriousness of back pain depends on the cause.
Tumor, infection, and fractures are serious problems but are rare.
Cauda equina syndrome, in which the nerves in the lower part of
the spinal canal are compressed for any reason (such as by a herniated
disc or because of spinal stenosis may result in permanent incontinence
(inability to control urination) if the compression is not immediately
relieved by surgery. In general, when first seeing a patient with
back pain, physicians consider that the cause of the pain may
be serious if:
- It wakes a person from sleep.
- It occurs in children (although many cases of back
pain in children prove not to be serious).
- It occurs along with an inability to control urine or stools.
- It is accompanied by unexplained fever or weight loss
- It occurs in someone with a history of cancer
But back pain may have long-term, adverse effects
on the quality of one's life. While most causes of back pain are
certainly not life threatening, chronic back pain can be life-altering.
For many individuals who suffer from chronic back pain, the condition
can certainly affect their lifestyle. When you feel pain, it is
really a reaction to signals transmitted throughout your body.
These signals are sent from the pain source -- such as a sore
back, through the nerves in the spinal cord, and up to the brain,
where they are perceived as pain.
Provided by YourMedicalSource.com
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