subject: What Causes Extreme Lower Back Pain [print this page] It is said that almost every adult will feel back pain at some point in their lifetime, but if you are dealing with extreme lower back pain; a back ache may not be the only problem. Low back pain can be simply due to a strain, which is the case more than 90 percent of the time, or it could be due to another underlying issue or even medical emergency.
Some of the illnesses/conditions known to cause extreme lower back pain include: kidney stones, kidney infections, liver disease, degenerative disorders, herniated discs and more. The only way to be certain of the cause of your back pain is a trip to your doctor who can compare your other symptoms as well as run tests in order to diagnose a condition. This is of course unless you have recently injured yourself or have an obvious reason for pain (i.e. low back pain, pregnancy related).
If your back pain is due to a herniated disc; you will most likely feel more than just back pain. Generally with a herniated disc, the back pain is accompanied by a stabbing back pain that also shoots down the buttock and the leg (sciatica). This happens because the herniated disc puts pressure on nerves in the lower back which are directly connected to the leg, therefore causing the lower back and leg pain. A herniated disc can be diagnosed using a simple leg-reach test and sometimes an MRI to determine the size and severity of the herniation. In rare cases; an especially large herniation could cause a serious medical condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome. The symptoms could include: lower back and leg pain, numbness of the leg or groin and loss of bladder and/or bowel control as well as a loss of muscle control in the legs. Should you experience any of these symptoms you need to seek medical attention immediately as this is considered a medical emergency and can be life threatening.
If your doctor is able to confirm that your back pain is indeed simply due to a simple strain; as painful as this can be, it is something that can be easily treated. Most cases of low back pain-even extreme lower back pain-may heal themselves within a couple of weeks without any sort of medical assistance. Using over-the-counter meds and other back pain products like heating pads and ice packs may be the only back pain treatments you need in order to feel better. Some basic stretching and exercises for low back pain have also proven highly effective as back pain treatments as well as strengthening your back so that you are less prone to future injury or pain.
Please note: The information in this article does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified practitioner on all health matters.
