In many cases, careful management deals with back pain. There is however a species of back pain that I’ll flag up to you now. The items listed below are “RED FLAG” symptoms which means see your doctor or A & E NOW; go in and say , “I have back pain symptoms that I think are Red Flag symptoms”
- fever of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
- unexplained weight loss
- swelling in the back
- constant back pain from which there is no position of ease
- Chest pain
- leg pain
- a change in toilet patterns
- numbness or tingling around your bottom and privates.
- pain that is worse at night
These are known as ‘red flag symptoms’ and could be a sign of something more serious.
That said, I was checking the NHS website today (23/7/2020) and it made this distinction
SEE YOUR GP if
- your painkillers are not helping
- the pain is no better after a month
- a very high temperature or you feel hot and shivery
- unexplained weight loss
- a swelling in your back
- the pain is worse at night
Go to A & E or call 999
- numbness around your bottom or genitals
- cannot pee
- lose feeling in 1 or both legs
- cannot control when you pee or poo
- got it after a serious accident, such as a car accident
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