Back Pain – 7 Potentially Fatal Causes

Your back hurts. So what? Everyone has a little back pain from time to time.

But what if I could kill you?

Most people suffer from back pain as a result of daily stress on the body’s structural support: the bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments in and around the spine. Just as a car rusts with age, the human body succumbs to the effects of gravity over the years. Aches and sprains, pulled muscles and strains are a part of life starting in middle age.

However, back pain can be the result of other abnormalities within the body, several of which can cause death within minutes or years. It is wise to think twice when your back starts to hurt. Was it too much yard work over the weekend or maybe something else?

Here are 7 life-threatening causes of back pain:

1. aortic aneurysm. The large artery that carries blood away from the heart sometimes weakens with age and bulges outward, like the weak spot in a tire. If the aorta ruptures, massive internal bleeding can occur, sometimes causing death within minutes. Quite often, the pain from a damaged aorta is felt in the back. If the vessel slowly stretches over time, the pain may be chronic or intermittent in nature. If the vessel ruptures quickly, the pain is usually severe and is accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, abdominal pain, and fainting. If you have strange back pain, different from your usual pattern, it is best to see your doctor. If the pain is sudden and severe, call 911.

2. cancer and tumors. Both cancer that starts in the bones of the back and cancer that spreads to the back from elsewhere often cause back pain. A benign tumor of the spinal cord and vertebrae can also cause pain, as the mass increases in size and presses on sensitive structures. The pain can occur with movement or at rest, but it tends to get worse over time and can be severe. Any back pain that persists or worsens over time should be professionally evaluated.

3. Infection. When bacteria invade deep structures in the body, such as the bones, discs, and spinal cord, a serious infection can result. These infections are rare and can go undetected until the process is quite advanced. Kidney and lung infections can also cause back pain and are often dismissed as nothing more than a back strain. When any of these conditions are left untreated, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection. When infection is the cause of back pain, other symptoms may also occur, such as fever, nausea, and sweating. Again, see your doctor if these symptoms occur.

4. pancreatitis. When the pancreas becomes inflamed for any reason, the enzymes that are designed to help digest food can start digesting their own body. This usually causes nausea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain, but can also cause back pain. Pancreatitis can cause internal bleeding, dehydration, high blood sugar levels, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and death. Alcohol abuse and gallstones are among the common causes. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if you experience these symptoms.

5. penetrating ulcer. Just as pancreatic juices can eat away at the pancreas and other abdominal structures, stomach acid can burn a hole through the duodenum or stomach. When this happens, internal bleeding occurs and the stomach contents spill into the abdominal cavity, where it causes further destruction and infection. Pain from an ulcer can be felt in the abdomen, chest, or back. Heartburn or stomach pain in association with back pain may be an indication of an ulcer and should be evaluated by a doctor.

6. Inflammatory bowel disease. When the colon is inflamed, pain can be experienced in the abdomen, pelvis, or back. The inflammation can cause the intestine to perforate, similar to an ulcer, or cause a bowel obstruction. Any of these conditions is potentially fatal. Seek professional attention for any abdominal pain accompanied by back pain.

7. pulmonary embolism. Blood clots usually form on the inside of the legs, where they can cause swelling, discomfort, and sometimes redness of the legs. When a clot breaks off and moves up through the heart to the lungs, chest pain and/or back pain can occur, usually along with shortness of breath. If the clot is large, it can block air exchange and produce too little oxygen in the blood. Sudden onset of back pain associated with shortness of breath could be a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) or even a heart attack. Do not drive to the hospital, call 911.

The above examples illustrate that not all back pain is a simple matter. Fortunately, all of these conditions are quite rare. If you have found your symptoms on the list, seek immediate medical attention.

On the other hand, if you have the same back pain you get every time you weed your garden or mop the floor, take an aspirin and call your doctor in the morning.

Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, MD