A heart attack , pneumonia , liver problems, and even cancer - all this can signal back pain.
Upper back pain can occur due to a stoop habit , stress, or inflammation. In most cases, the pain disappears after a few days, even if you do not consult a doctor and do not take additional measures. But there are situations when back pain is a manifestation of serious illness and it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Here are the symptoms that should alert us.
The pain doesn't go away for several days
If the pain does not go away by itself, if no usual procedures - massage, warming gels and even replacing the mattress - do not help, you should definitely consult a doctor and do a fluorography. In some cases, sharp pain in the upper back can indicate developing pneumonia or even a tumor in the lungs.
Pain gives to the side
Sometimes back pain can warn of kidney problems. This is especially true if the pain is accompanied by discomfort during urination, blood in the urine, or a change in the color of the urine. If the pain is localized under the right scapula, this may indicate problems with the bladder.
Pain is accompanied by fever.
Severe back pain, accompanied by high fever, as well as numbness or tingling sensation in one or both hands, may indicate a developing spinal infection. This diagnosis is especially likely if you have diabetes, immunosuppression, or obesity.
Pain radiates to chest
If pain in the upper back is given to the chest, and also accompanied by numbness or weakness in the hands, this may be a sign of a rupture of the aortic wall, the largest blood vessel in our body, which is located in the back wall of the sternum. The chance of a rupture is especially increased if you have high blood pressure for an extended period of time. You should immediately seek medical help.
The pain is accompanied by a strong feeling of fatigue.
In women, a heart attack is often accompanied not by chest pain, but by other symptoms: nausea, shortness of breath, a strong feeling of fatigue, as well as pain in the jaw and upper back.
The pain intensifies with a deep breath.
Back pain, which intensifies with a deep breath, can be a sign of a very serious disease - pulmonary embolism. It is especially dangerous if these symptoms appear after a long trip in a car or plane. And of course, if at the same time you have hemoptysis and a feeling of weakness, you need to urgently consult a doctor.
Pain aggravated by movement
If the pain intensifies when moving (and especially if the day before you experienced a fall or other injury to the upper body), you should consult a doctor and ask for an x-ray: your pain may be caused by a fracture in your rib or spine.
By the way: 6 everyday habits that are expensive for our back
