Back Pain: When to Seek Urgent Care Immediately

Experiencing back pain can be concerning, and knowing when it requires urgent medical attention versus routine care is important for your health. What this means Back pain is common, but certain accompanying symptoms, often called 'red flags,' can signal a more serious underlying condition that needs immediate evaluation by a doctor. These are not typical aches and pains and should not be ignored. What to observe or prepare Pay close attention to any sudden changes in your back pain. Note if the pain is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, or if it's constant and worsens at night. Also, observe if you experience any new weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs, or difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels. Be prepared to describe these symptoms, their onset, and their severity to a healthcare professional. What not to assume Do not assume that all back pain will resolve on its own, especially if you are experiencing any of the 'red flag' symptoms. Delaying urgent care for these specific signs could lead to more serious health complications. Also, avoid self-diagnosing or relying on unverified information from social media or informal groups. When to seek help Seek urgent medical care if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following: * Fever or chills: This could indicate an infection. * Unexplained weight loss: A significant, unintentional drop in weight alongside back pain warrants immediate attention. * Loss of bladder or bowel control (cauda equina syndrome symptoms): This is a medical emergency. * New weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs: Especially if it's severe or rapidly worsening. * Pain following a significant injury or trauma: Such as a fall or accident. * Back pain that is constant, severe, and worsens at night or when lying down: This can be a sign of certain serious conditions. For other types of back pain without these urgent symptoms, a routine consultation with your doctor is appropriate to discuss management strategies. What you can do next If you experience any of the urgent 'red flag' symptoms mentioned, contact an emergency service or visit the nearest urgent care center immediately. For non-urgent back pain, you can schedule a consultation through TeleHealthCircle to discuss your symptoms with a doctor and explore appropriate next steps. Sources * Disk Herniation - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/) * Surviving sepsis campaign: international guidelines for ... - PMC (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8486643/)