Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Low back pain is a common reason people seek medical attention. There are certain signs and symptoms that can help identify the difference between mechanical low back pain and conditional back discomfort. This distinction aids in determining the true source of back pain, thereby, avoiding any serious medical condition. This article emphasizes the causes, the link between fever and lower back pain, and the management of the low back ache.
What are the causes of back pain?
Low back discomfort is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Nonspecific or mechanical low back pain is the most common type of low back pain. This is because it lacks a pathologic cause and usually resolves in 4 to 6 weeks. Some patients may have serious pathology, and critical diagnoses are frequently missed on initial presentation. Thus, identifying risk factors and conducting a thorough system review and physical examination, particularly of the musculoskeletal and neurologic systems, are critical components of evaluating the patients.
General low back pain risk factors include age, gender, poor general health, physical stress on the spine, and psychological stress. The specific causes of low back pain that indicate an emergency pathology include infection, malignancy, fractures or trauma, and spinal cord or nerve root compression.
Is it possible for a fever to cause back ache?
No, a fever does not cause back pain. Both fever and the back pain could indicate an existing foreign infection or an underlying medical ailment. Furthermore, a rise in body temperature may aggravate pre-existing back pain. However, fever with low back pain is a strong predictor of spinal infection, including spinal epidural abscesses. In addition, about 10% of patients with a spinal epidural abscess have the combination of fever, back pain, and neurologic deficit. The intraspinal or epidural abscess is the most commonly overlooked serious pathology of low back pain. This is why a fever in a patient with back pain should always be taken seriously. Aside from spinal infections, other conditions include kidney infection, and bone infection.
How can a fever with back pain be treated?
Low back pain is a common condition. Although the majority of low back pain cannot have a single cause, the doctor should be aware of your symptoms. To understand your symptoms and warning signs, your doctor may conduct a thorough history and physical examination. The treatment necessitates a flexible and multidimensional approach. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment options include rest, yoga, massages, physiotherapy, acupuncture, prescribed medications, and surgical intervention.
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