Lower pain in the back is the most typical reason stated for work-related lack. This kind of pain will often have a noticeable impact on general performance and inspiration. But since an achy back triggered by occupational elements can frequently be fixed with a little rest, we tend to brush it off as a trivial problem.
Did you understand that some cases of backache might require much more than a rest day? Those that come hand in hand with other symptoms of health problems can be a sign of something far worse than simply a common case of a bad back. A fever coupled with back pain can spell a world's worth of different conditions. A few of these may be quickly corrected with medication and rest. Others could result in potentially dangerous problems in the long run.
If you've been having bouts of lower neck and back pain that come hand in hand with increased body temperature levels, it may be time to act. Continue reading through to find out simply what these signs may mean.
Of course, keep in mind that the info in this post is simply useful and needs to never be used in place of the guidance of your dealing with doctors.
Understanding Pain and Pyrexia
Discomfort and pyrexia (fever) are the body's way of notifying the individual that there is an ongoing threat to one's general health and wellness. That's why you'll frequently see discomfort and increased body temperature occur at the start of the illness, indicating the start of the issue.
Frequently, a fever happens in the presence of an infection. Because some kinds of germs can't make it through heat, our bodies bump up the heat to assist our immune system kill off what colonies of germs that it can.
When is it Time to Visit the Doctor?
According to statistics, only a little portion of individuals will look for medical attention right away after they experience symptoms of illness. This is especially true when they believe that their symptoms aren't a sign of anything serious. Most people consider lower neck and back pain and fever low urgency symptoms, so not everyone will check out a physician to get a medical diagnosis.
Oftentimes, while it might be alright to handle these two problems from the convenience of the house, here are some situations when you must consider visiting your medical professional:
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Persistent, increasing lower neck and back pain that doesn't resolve with over-the-counter discomfort medications (ibuprofen, Tylenol, etc.).
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Feeling numb and or tingling, especially in the lower extremities.
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Radiating discomfort in the legs (i.e. sciatica).
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Leg weakness.
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Recurrent fevers that diminish and return several times in a day.
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Loss of bowel and bladder control.
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Inability to feel yourself clean after toileting.
Various conditions are defined by fevers and pain in the back. Some are more typical than others.
Kidney Infection
Pyelonephritis (or kidney infection) is one of the most typical reasons for simultaneous back pain and fever.
A kidney infection is frequently the result of an unresolved urinary tract infection (UTI). When a UTI is not appropriately treated, the bacteria that cause it can take a trip further up through the ureter and contaminate the kidneys. This is referred to as pyelonephritis. Early indications of pyelonephritis include fever and neck and back pain.
While the reason for the fever is self-explanatory, it might be confusing as to why a kidney infection would trigger neck and back pain. Kidney pain refers to discomfort in the back due to how our nervous system is wired. As most back discomfort is related to irritation of the muscles and ligaments in the back, it is crucial to keep pyelonephritis in mind as an unusual cause of low back discomfort.
Pharmacotherapy (generally with prescription antibiotics) at the first signs of pyelonephritis can help prevent further complications. It is necessary to recognize this possibly severe condition and seek immediate medical attention.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. This can happen throughout the body. When it takes place within the bones of the spinal column this can result in low neck and back pain and fever. The most common reasons for osteomyelitis of the spinal column are previous back surgical treatment and the spread of infection from another part of the body (from septicemia).
According to data, the opportunities of contracting an infection of the spinal column after spine surgical treatment are low. A prompt dose of prescription antibiotics should be more than enough to resolve the infection. Nevertheless, more pronounced infections might need the reopening of the surgical wound to eliminate infected tissue and rinse the wound.
Septicemia, or bacteria in the blood, can lead to a spinal infection. This can take place after a treatment: colonoscopy, cystoscopy, oral cleaning, or any other procedure that requires the introduction of foreign things into the body. These treatments can cause a momentary release of germs into the blood. The germs can travel to healthy tissues of the body, including the spine, leading to infection. However, this latter scenario is quite uncommon, and normally just happens if a person has a weak body immune system, to begin with. In reality, far more frequently it occurs with illegal intravenous substance abuse.
Pharmacotherapy (typically with prescription antibiotics) at the very first signs of osteomyelitis can assist avoid even more complications. It is very important to recognize this possibly severe condition and look for immediate medical attention.
Muscle Injury, Damage, and Death
Individuals who overwork the muscles can be particularly susceptible to a condition called rhabdomyolysis. This is defined by the death of muscle tissue normally as the outcome of a very exhausting activity.
The muscles of the back are some of the most used muscles in the body. Easy activities like standing, sitting, strolling, and other, relatively ordinary postural actions all require the engagement of the lower back muscles. Combine this with requiring activities like heavy lifting and muscle injury and subsequent damage are a threat.
Individuals who are most in danger of this type of straining the back muscles are professional athletes and manual laborers who are consistently pushing their muscles to their limitations.
If the muscles are overworked, not just can this result in pain in the back and even fevers, but the tissues can die and break down, leading to a release of toxins throughout the system. These contaminants and muscle break-down items then go into the bloodstream which can significantly concern the kidneys. This can lead to kidney damage and in extreme cases, potentially even kidney failure.
Treatment of rhabdomyolysis depends on the seriousness of the case. In small cases, the condition can be addressed with rest and fluid intake to help normalize the blood chemistry. In serious cases that result in kidney damage, nevertheless, hospitalization may be required.
Conclusion
Lower pain in the back and fever are oftentimes neglected when they happen in isolation. This is okay. If you are experiencing both low back discomfort and fever at the very same time that is not resolving, you must seek medical attention, as this can suggest a more severe underlying condition.
