6 Alarming Signs You Have a Spine Condition 

Many people experience back pain. Around 16 million American adults have chronic or persistent back pain, especially after doing some daily activities.

If you’re someone saddled with it, you may have missed work. Unfortunately, some individuals have to stop working due to back pain.

If you have chronic back pain, you should have a physician check your spinal cord. Consider it a red flag because it may indicate an adverse spine condition. 

Individuals may also experience a debilitating back issue if they don’t respond to spine treatment. In addition, they may need other pain management and work-up if they aren’t responsive to traditional treatments for at least a month. 

The spine is your body’s framework and foundation, and if you want to lead a healthy life, you should exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes. Moreover, consider core strengthening exercises to maintain a healthy spine.

Top Symptoms of an Adverse Spine Cord Condition

1. Intense Pain

Suppose you’re experiencing constant and ongoing pain and can’t find an excellent position to relieve it. Achy, dull, and cramping pain can mean muscle spasms, but if you feel a searing and sharp pain, you may have an adverse spinal cord condition.

2. Leg Pain with Weaknesses

Sometimes, your leg pain may be a symptom of a severe spinal cord condition due to compressed or squeezed nerves. Generally, spinal stenosis is the cause of such pain.

In addition, you may experience lower extremity weakness, making you susceptible to falls. Unlike back pain, symptoms of leg pain include nerve pain from the buttocks to the feet.

3. Chills or Fever

You may have a severe lumbar spine condition and infection if you have chills or a fever. Moreover, you need emergency care if symptoms persist.

4. Night Pain

If you often wake up with intense back pain at night, you may have a severe spinal cord injury. Arthritis or mechanical pain can be troublesome in searching for a relaxing sleeping position. 

However, if you have night sweats or night pain, you may even have severe illnesses like cancer. Let a doctor diagnose your condition through prompt and proper investigation.

5. Weight Loss

Metastatic cancer can be the reason for unexplained weight loss, and this pain may reach the lumbar spine. You should seek medical care if you’re losing weight for no apparent reason.

6. Bladder and Bowel Incontinence

You may have a severe spine condition if you experience bladder and bowel incontinence. A potential herniated disk can be due to the intense pressure on the spinal cord’s nerves. 

Final Thoughts

Back pain warns you of potential problems, such as a spinal cord condition. As you grow older, your lumbar spine degenerates and affects your discs.

The cartilage dries out and may result in cracking or tearing, creating a herniated disk. Surprisingly, severe back pain can occur even in young people.

Your back pain may exacerbate if you don’t seek medical care. Remember that cancer, such as breast cancer, lymphoma, and prostate cancer, can spread and metastasize to the bones, causing back pain.