Back pain can be sign of something serious

BOSTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Back pain is usually caused by a mechanical problem that can't be pinpointed, but some cases result from more serious causes, advises a U.S. newsletter.

Back pain can also be caused by infections, vascular disease and tumors, among other things, reported the Harvard Men's Health Watch.

"That's why it's important to know the 'red flag' warning signs that suggest serious problems," the newsletter says. "Among these are recent major injury, radiation of pain down a leg, pain that is constant, pain in the upper back or chest, unexplained fever or weight loss and pain that increases at night."

About 90 percent of people with ordinary mechanical low back pain get over it without special therapy, but it takes time to recover. About 30 percent of patients are substantially improved in just a week, but another 60 percent take up to eight weeks to get better.

Some 70 percent to 80 percent of men and nearly as many women have endured a bout of moderate to severe back pain.

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