Pain in the lower back, neck or kidneys? Most of the time, the cause is linked to an overly sedentary lifestyle. However, it happens that low back pain is caused by a serious pathology. But when should you worry?
Infection, tumor and referred pain
“When the pain occurs or persists at rest and, moreover, wakes the patient up in the second half of the night, it probably has an inflammatory origin”, indicates Dr. Charley Cohen, rheumatologist and author of the book Backache, all pain relief solutions.
“Appropriate examinations will make it possible to diagnose in particular spondyloarthritis, chronic inflammatory rheumatism usually starting in the lumbar region or even, but fortunately very rarely, a benign or non-benign tumour, or even an infection. »
It can also happen that a patient presents a fracture of vertebra by osteoporosis, even a fissure of the sacrum. These situations can occur spontaneously or as a result of minimal trauma, such as carrying a heavy load or a bad movement.
Finally, some pain felt in the back can “turn out to be a painful projection from elsewhere”. This is the case of the “trap pain of a stomach ulcer or a disease of the pancreas which may be revealed by isolated pain in the middle of the back”.
This pain referred to the back can also come from a disease of the heart, blood vessels or lungs. And lower back pain can be a sign of a kidney stone.
Don’t take your back lightly
Still, any chronic back pain must be taken seriously and above all taken care of. Indeed, “persistent pain affects quality of life, affects sleep, mental health, family and professional life and can lead to depression”, recalls Dr. Cohen. Which is far from trivial for health.
If this is your case, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.