Back pain is something that most people have experienced at least once in their lives. After a hard day at work, you might want to go to bed at night and hope for some relief. But if your back pain starts when you go to bed at night, or if the pain is worse at night than during the day, it may be something to be concerned about. This is called nocturnal back pain, or (Nocturnal Back Pain).
What is the difference between a normal backache and a backache that comes on at night?
Usually, we get back pain due to reasons like lifting heavy objects with the wrong posture or sitting in the same position for a long time. When we have this kind of pain, the pain decreases when we go to bed and rest for a while, and when we lie down in a comfortable position.
But with this so-called nighttime pain, the opposite happens. You can be pain-free all day and only start to feel pain when you go to bed at night. Or the pain you had during the day can be worse when you try to sleep at night. The pain increases to the point that no matter how you lie down or put pillows, you can't find relief. This makes it a nightmare to sleep soundly.
Simply put, this is back pain that starts or gets worse when you rest, rather than decreasing with rest.
What are the reasons for this?
Like a common backache, it's hard to pinpoint one or two exact causes for this one, but there are a few main factors that can contribute.
- Mechanical Problems in the Spine: This is the most common cause. Between the vertebrae in our spine are cushions called discs. These are the shock absorbers that absorb the shock of our movements. As we age, or for other reasons, these discs can wear down and become thinner. This condition is called disc degeneration .
- Injuries: Injuries to the spine, for example, a fall, an accident, or a sports injury, can cause fractures or sprains in the spine.
- Other Diseases and Conditions: There are a number of other diseases that can cause back pain.
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Kidney Stones
- Pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Some types of arthritis
- Some cancer conditions
Could this be a sign of something serious? 'Red Flags'
Yes, although very rare, back pain at night can be a red flag of a more serious condition. That's why we need to be especially careful about this.
Some of these serious conditions are:
- Spinal Tumors : These can be primary tumors that develop in the spine itself, or they can be metastatic tumors that develop from cancer that has spread to the spine from another part of the body (e.g., lung, breast).
- Osteomyelitis: A bacterial infection in the bones of the spine.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): This is also a type of arthritis. This condition can cause the vertebrae in the spine to fuse together, causing the spine to become rigid and fixed in one position.
There are several other "red light" symptoms that can indicate a serious condition like this. If you have any of the symptoms below along with your back pain at night, you should definitely pay attention to it.
| Warning signs to look out for ('Red Flags') |
|---|
| Back pain that spreads down one or both legs. |
| Numbness in the legs, a feeling of being crawled on by ants, or a feeling of lifelessness in the legs. |
| New onset of difficulty controlling bowel and bladder control. |
| Feeling pain or a cramping sensation in the abdomen (stomach). |
| Fever without a reason. |
| Unusual warmth when touched in certain parts of the body. |
| Unexplained weight loss. |
| If you have had cancer before. |
| If you have a disease or are taking medication that weakens your immune system. |
| If the pain occurred after a recent injury (e.g., a fall). |
So what should I do?
The most important thing is not to panic. Most of the time, back pain at night is not caused by the serious illness we talked about earlier. It is more likely to be caused by a simple mechanical problem.
However, if you have one or more of the "red light" symptoms mentioned above along with your back pain, there is definitely something you need to do.
That is, see a qualified doctor immediately. Please do not skip this or put it off. Especially if you have a history of cancer, do not think twice about this.
When you see your doctor, he or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and, if necessary, perform a physical examination. Then, if necessary, they may refer you for X-rays, blood tests, or other specialized scans (such as an MRI). Once the cause is determined, the appropriate treatment will be prescribed.
Take-Home Message
- Back pain that begins or worsens at night while you sleep (nocturnal back pain) may be different from regular back pain.
- The causes of this can range from a simple mechanical problem, such as a disc herniation, to more serious conditions, such as rare cancers or infections.
- Be on the lookout for "red flags" such as pain along the legs, numbness, difficulty controlling urination, fever, and weight loss.
- If you have any of the above warning signs, don't waste time and see your doctor immediately.
- Don't panic. Although the cause is often not serious, it is important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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