When to call an ambulance for back pain. Additional symptoms you shouldn't ignore

Back pain affects a significant number of people. Although occasional discomfort doesn't necessarily require medical attention, continuous pain may warrant contacting a healthcare professional. This is particularly true when additional symptoms emerge, as we outline below.

Back pain is joint. It's a widespread ailment, particularly among those leading sedentary lifestyles. Improper habits, such as poor posture or incorrect sitting positions, can also contribute to this issue.

Back pain can arise from several sources — tension, overload, disease factors, and injuries alike. Severe spinal degeneration can also lead to discomfort. The expert explains how back degenerative changes within the vertebrae, cancer, and inflammatory or rheumatic conditions of the spine may cause pain. Postural defects such as scoliosis and lordosis can also trigger pain.

Problems such as sciatica, shoulder or thigh pain, slipped discs, or a fractured vertebra may result in spinal pain. It's also important to note that mechanical damage, which can occur due to Falls or car accidents, can also cause back pain.

Any condition that degrades our quality of life warrants a consultation with a doctor and a thorough examination. Specific additional symptoms should be particularly alarming in the context of back pain.

A recently published article in "The Mirror," the online edition of the British newspaper "Daily Mirror," outlines the circumstances under which you should call an ambulance if suffering from back pain.

In a dialogue with mirror.co.uk, Marc Sanders, a chiropractor and member of the British Chiropractic Association, identified concerning symptoms. "Chest pain accompanied by back pain could indicate heart problems or other serious conditions, which is why it's crucial to call for help immediately," advised the medical professional.

Damage to the heart can propagate to other bodily regions, eliciting pain, among other things, in the back. Sanders added that certain types of accidents could result in not visibly discernible fractures. In these instances, it's also essential to contact a doctor immediately.

Other alarming symptoms include limb numbness. "Numbness or tingling in the genital region or buttocks may indicate a serious neurological issue. Difficulty urinating might suggest pressure on the nerves in the back interfering with urinary function," observes the chiropractor. When experiencing these symptoms, calling an ambulance promptly is highly advised.