6 Health Problems That Only Seem Like Back Pain
When is an achy back a sign of something more serious? Here's how to sort it out.
By Karyn Repinski October 6, 2017
Pretty much everyone over a certain age has back pain at some point. Who hasn’t felt a dull ache on occasion, or been frozen in their tracks by a sudden, sharp twinge? Although it's uncomfortable, it isn't usually anything to worry about. In fact, it often goes away on its own within six weeks.
Sometimes, though, back pain is serious—a warning sign of a dangerous, even life-threatening condition. But figuring that out can be tricky. “It’s why your doctor will often ask random questions that don’t seem to have anything to do with your back,†says Donnica Moore, MD, a woman’s health expert in Chester, NJ. She recalls a 54-year-old patient who complained about back pain and turned out to have metastatic breast cancer.
https://www.prevention.com/health/6-health-problems-that-only-seem-like-back-pain?internal_recirc=outbrain_hp
