Lower Back Pain: Causes and Symptoms
Anyone who has ever suffered from lower back pain will know that it is a living nightmare, which can confine you to your bedroom for days. People over 60 are more likely to suffer from lower back pain due to the degeneration of their spinal joints. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your back, you must get yourself checked,to ascertain the reasons behind your back pain. Here are some common causes of back pain:
1. Spinal Stenosis: A common cause of back pain in the elderly is spinal stenosis. This is a condition when there is an abnormal narrowing of the spine, and any small injury can trigger severe pain in the back and legs.
2. Spondylosis: This affects older women more than it does older men. Spondylosis is a condition when the lumbar vertebrae degenerate or develop small fractures causing lower back pain.
3. Facet joint osteoarthritis: This is a kind of arthritis that affects the spine in the later part of life. This degenerative condition might lead to stiffness, discomfort, pain and other problems.
Since lower back pain is a very common complaint among older folk, people find it difficult to differentiate between routine discomfort and a serious condition. So, here is a list of symptoms of lower back pain.
1. Severe leg pain while walking
2. Relief from lower back pain only while sitting down or an increase in pain due to being seated
3. Pain fluctuates between mild to severe
4. Gradual increase inlower back pain
5. Numbness, weakness, tingling sensation and discomfort in back and legs
6. Problems in bowel movement
7. Prolonged back pain accompanied by weight loss
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, visit your doctor for a thorough check up. After all, your spine is the backbone of your well-being!