What Type Of Doctor Should I See For Back Pain
This depends on your condition or symptoms. If you have no obvious injury that would explain your pain, you may want to start by seeing a . This is a specialist in physical medicine who can diagnose back pain and determine whether nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy may help. Depending on those findings, a physiatrist may also refer you to a , doctor or other type of back specialist, , for additional discussion.
When Should I See A Doctor If I Have Lower Back Pain
In many cases lower back pain stops on its own. But if it doesnt, here are some guidelines on when you may want to start seeking professional help:
- If the pain lasts four weeks or longer
- If the pain keeps getting worse as time goes by
- If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, major weight loss or weight gain, loss of function or weakness in extremities, bladder problems, etc.
How Can You Resolve Prostatitis Related Back Pain
Prostatitis-related back pain can be difficult to solve, especially if you have chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. There is actually no consensus about what to do and when. So, doctors need to use a trial-and-error approach until they find the right treatment for you.
There is no cure for chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Some patients experience longer asymptomatic periods. But a flare-up may bring back the symptoms once again after a while. What doctors do in these cases is trying to manage pain symptoms as much as possible.
In acute prostatitis, the problem is easier to solve. The pain usually goes away with the right combination of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. In most cases, it is enough with over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs-for example, ibuprofen and naproxen. Only a few cases may require more specialized pain-relieving therapies such as oral or injected steroids.
Unlike chronic pelvic pain syndrome, acute prostatitis resolves after a few weeks. However, you need to take your meds exactly as prescribed, or it may become a recurrent problem .
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Spine Conditions Causing Urinary Issues
There are several conditions involving the spine that can lead directly to urinary or bowel issues. Here are a few possible causes of bladder or bowel control issues:
- Pinched Nerve when a disc or other structure near the spine compresses a spinal nerve.
- Herniated or bulging disc a spinal disc rupture that can negatively impact nerves.
- Injury to the spinal cord such as a sports injury or car crash injury.
- Spinal Stenosis a narrowing of the spine that can impact nerves.
It is also possible that your back pain and bowel issues are related to a completely different cause . Regardless of the underlying cause, bladder control loss should be taken very seriously and be addressed by a qualified physician right away.
How Typical Is Lower Back Pain
Around 4 out of five people have lower back pain at some time in their lives. It is among the most typical reasons people check out healthcare providers.
Some people are more probable to have lower back pain than others. Danger factors for lower back pain include:
Age: Individuals over 30 have much more back pain. Disks deteriorate with age. As the disks weaken and also wear down, pain as well as stiffness can result.
Weight: People who are obese or bring added weight are more likely to have back pain. Excess weight puts pressure on joints and also disks. Overall wellness: Compromised stomach muscles cant support the spine, which can lead to back strains and sprains.
People who smoke, drink alcohol excessively or live a sedentary way of life have a higher risk of back pain.
Line of work as well as way of life: Jobs as well as tasks that need hefty training or bending can boost the threat of a back injury.
Structural issues: Extreme back pain can result from conditions, such as scoliosis, that transform back positioning.
Condition: People that have a family history of osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer and also other condition have a greater risk of low back pain. Psychological health and wellness: Back pain can arise from anxiety and anxiousness.
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Talking With Your Doctor
Different kinds of doctors and other health care professionals manage prostate health. They can help you find the best care, answer your questions, and address your concerns. These health care professionals include:
- Family doctors and internists
- Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
- Urologists, who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract system and the male reproductive system
- Urologic oncologists, who are experts in treating cancers of the urinary system and the male reproductive system
- Radiation oncologists, who use radiation therapy to treat cancer
- Medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medications such as hormone treatments and chemotherapy
- Pathologists, who identify diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope
View these professionals as your partnersâexpert advisors and helpers in your health care. Talking openly with your doctors can help you learn more about your prostate changes and the tests to expect.
Potential Causes Of Pain In Lower Back Kidney Area
When experiencing back pain, musculoskeletal problems are usually the culprit. Occasionally, however, pain in the lower back kidney area is a symptom of kidney-related troubles. If you experience pain in your lower back as well as pain radiating to your side and your groin, your kidneys are a likely culprit. If urinary problems or a fever accompany the pain, a kidney problem is even more likely. Heres everything you need to know about pain in the kidney area .
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What Is The Prostate
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to make a fluid that goes into semen. Prostate fluid is essential for a mans fertility. The gland surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder. The bladder neck is the area where the urethra joins the bladder. The bladder and urethra are parts of the lower urinary tract. The prostate has two or more lobes, or sections, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue, and it is in front of the rectum, just below the bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In men, the urethra also carries semen out through the penis.
Onset Of Cauda Equina Syndrome
Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome can develop suddenly, but may take weeks or months. The onset of the condition is often described using the following distinctions:
- Acute onset is marked by a rapid development of symptoms that often includes severe low back pain and significant loss of bladder and bowel function. In an acute onset, sensory and motor deficits in the lower body typically develop within 24 hours.
- Gradual onset can develop over progressively, and symptoms may come and go over the course of several weeks or months. Gradual onset usually typically includes partial or intermittent loss of bowel and bladder function, as well as recurring low back pain in combination with muscle weakness and numbness and bladder and/or bowel incontinence or dysfunction. Sciatica may also occur in one or both legs.
Loss of bowel or bladder function may include incontinence , and/or constipation .
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Take The Signs Seriously
UTIs can happen at almost any age in women and at an elderly age in men. Researchers are still searching for the root cause. Until then, take preventative measures to reduce the chances of the condition. For people suspecting a UTI, seek help from a doctor. If the symptoms evolve into back pain, the kidneys are infected. At that point, get medical treatment immediately.
When Should I Call My Doctor About Flank Pain
- Doesnt go away in about a day, or if it goes away and comes back.
- Is severe or comes on suddenly.
- Makes it difficult for you to do everyday activities.
Flank pain that occurs along with other symptoms could be a sign of a serious health problem. Call your provider right away if you have flank pain and:
- Blood in your urine or pain when urinating.
- Skin rash.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Flank pain is a symptom of several conditions and injuries. Rest, medications and other treatments can relieve pain and help you feel better. Call your provider if you have severe flank pain or it doesnt get better in about a day. You should see your provider right away if you also have other symptoms, such as a fever or chills. These could be signs of a serious condition. By drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy weight, you can lower your risk of conditions that lead to flank pain.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/14/2021.
References
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What Causes Lower Back Pain And Pelvic Pain
This type of pain may be caused by: Pelvic pain can also appear with lower back pain. Possible causes include: If you have pudendal nerve entrapment, youll have pain in your pelvis and buttocks. The pain may spread to your hips. A pelvic injury can also lead to hip pain. A doctor will use different tests to diagnose your pain, including:
What Structures Make Up The Back
The back is an intricate structure of bones, muscles, and other tissues that form the back, or posterior part of the bodys trunk, from the neck to the pelvis. At the center is the spinal column, which not only supports the upper bodys weight but houses and protects the spinal cord the delicate nervous system structure that carries signals that control the bodys movements and convey its sensations. Stacked on top of one another are about 30 bones the vertebrae that form the spinal column, also known as the spine. Each of these bones contains a roundish hole that, when stacked in line with all the others, creates a channel that surrounds the spinal cord. The spinal cord descends from the base of the brain and extends to just below the rib cage.1
Starting at the top, the spine has four vertebral regions:
- Seven cervical or neck vertebrae
- Twelve thoracic or upper back vertebrae
- Five lumbar vertebrae , known as the lower back
- The sacrum and coccyx, a group of bones fused together at the base of the spine.
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When To Seek Medical Care
A person may have urinary symptoms unrelated to prostatitis that are caused by bladder problems, UTIs, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Symptoms of prostatitis also can signal more serious conditions, including prostate cancer.
Men with symptoms of prostatitis should see a health care provider.
Men with the following symptoms should seek immediate medical care:
- complete inability to urinate
When Should I Call A Doctor
Your symptoms may not bother you too much. But itâs important to talk over any urinary problems with your doctor.
Itâs hard to predict how BPH will play out, and you canât assume that the problem will get better on its own. Your doctor also will want to rule out things that cause similar problems.
Some symptoms need quick medical attention. If you have any of these, call your doctor right away or head to an emergency room:
- You canât urinate at all.
- You have to pee frequently, itâs painful, and you have fever and chills.
- You have blood in your urine.
- You feel a great deal of pain in your lower belly and urinary tract.
National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Cleveland Clinic: Diseases and Conditions Benign Prostatic Enlargement .
Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Mayo Clinic: Diseases and Conditions Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia .
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A Back Pain You Cant Ignore
An upper UTI can cause intense back pain as the infection reaches the kidneys. People will get pain in the lower back and groin area. Back pain comes with two other symptoms: high fever and vomiting. Upper infections happen when a lower UTI goes unchecked or does not respond to antibiotics. These infections are serious and, in severe cases, need hospitalization. If not managed well, the infection can spread to the renal artery and blood, which is life-threatening.
When To See A Doctor
If your back pain and frequent urination are accompanied by vomiting, loss of bowel control, shaking chills, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, or unusual discharge from your penis or vagina, then you should see a doctor.
If you dont experience any of these additional symptoms, but your back pain and frequent need to urinate interferes with your daily activities, then we also recommend you visit a doctor.
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Devon Andre has been involved in the health and dietary supplement industry for a number of years. Devon has written extensively for Bel Marra Health. He has a Bachelor of Forensic Science from the University of Windsor, and went on to complete a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Devon is keenly aware of trends and new developments in the area of health and wellness. He embraces an active lifestyle combining diet, exercise and healthy choices. By working to inform readers of the options available to them, he hopes to improve their health and quality of life.
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Exactly How Is Low Back Pain Identified
Your doctor will likely begin by asking for a total case history and carrying out a detailed checkup to establish where youre feeling the pain. A physical examination can likewise establish if pain is impacting your series of activity.
Your doctor might additionally inspect your reflexes as well as your feedbacks to certain experiences. This figures out if your low back pain is affecting your nerves.
Unless you have concerning or disabling symptoms or neurologic loss, your physician will probably check your problem for a few weeks prior to sending you for screening. This is due to the fact that most low back pain deals with using straightforward self-care treatments.
Treatment Options For Utis
Drinking water and cranberry juice are two common recommendations for lower UTIs. However, research has shown the methods to be inconclusive. Extra liquids make urination easier but do not treat the root cause. Speaking with a doctor is the first step. Doctors will then prescribe antibiotics. As bacteria could stay in the cells of the bladder, removing the infection can be difficult. However, when caught early, antibiotics can be effective.
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Can Lower Back Pain Be Related To Weather
If you feel like your lower back pain worsens on days when its cold or the weather is changing, you are not imagining things. Back pain can indeed be related to barometric pressure and outdoor temperature. Changes in pressure can sometimes cause pain in arthritic joints, including the spine. Muscles and joints in general react to the environment, which can make them stiffer and more likely to suffer an injury.
Managing Low Back Pain And Incontinence
If youre experiencing back pain, incontinence, or even both, go speak to your doctor. They may be able to rule out any serious conditions contributing to the issues and they can put together a proper treatment plan.
In some cases, incontinence can be treated and with physical therapy to relieve pain and Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles may go away over time. In other cases, incontinence can only be managed.
Generally, medications can assist with back pain and urinary issues, but a back brace or postpartum compression garment are all-natural solutions for relieving pain as well.
Lifestyle changes can be beneficial for assisting with both back pain and incontinence symptoms. Try to become more active, with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise about three times a week. Try swimming, riding a bike, or simply even walking to get moving.
Also, a healthy diet to relieve pressure on your digestive tract. Caffeine, items high in sugar, spicy foods, and alcohol can increase incontinence symptoms. Try adding more water, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet to relieve constipation and pressure on the bladder. The added nutrition may help with your low back pain as well.
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Treatment Options For Acute Lower Back Pain
Most low back pain is due to muscle strain and spasm and does not require surgery. To treat the pain, medications such as acetaminophen , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents , gabapentin or pregabalin can be used. NSAIDs suppress inflammation, pain and fever by inhibiting certain inflammation-causing chemicals in the body. Acetaminophen reduces pain and fever, but does not inhibit inflammation. Gabapentin and pregabalin, medications that have been used for antiseizure activity, also have the ability to block pain. Opioids provide pain relief and may at times be prescribed to manage severe back pain. However, opioids have many problems, such as habituation, constipation and lightheadedness, and are avoided when possible and used for the shortest possible duration. Epidural injection is an option if the back pain does not respond to these treatments. Each person is different in terms of response to medication.
Other nonsurgical treatments for lower back pain include Intradiscal electrothermal therapy , nucleoplasty, and radiofrequency lesioning.
When To See A Doctor For Urination Pain
Painful or Frequent Urination in Men. Frequent urination without pain also can be a side effect of certain medications, or a symptom of diabetes. Most men who experience new problems with painful or frequent urination should see their doctor. This guide is intended to provide helpful information while you are awaiting further evaluation,
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