Is Sudden Back Pain serious? How to Diagnose? Posted: 09-20-06 10:46am
I have an appointment with a doctor next
week.But I want to know if this could be
serious enough to be seen before then. It
started a couple of months ago. I wake up
late in the night or early in the morning
with chest and back pain. It feels like
something is crushing my lungs. I have to
take very short careful breaths until it
goes away. The pain in my back is
unbelievable when taking these short
breaths. If feels like my back is broken
with each breath. At first it only happend
once a week or so. The past week and a
half it has been happening every
night/early morning. And the past few days
it has happend several times in the middle
of the night or early morning. It hasn't
happend yet during the day. It can last
anywhere from 5 seconds to a couple of
minutes. Then all of the sudden all of the
pain will be gone. I can't take this pain
much longer. It is hurting more and more
each time. I just need to know if I can
wait to see the doctor next week? Or is
this more serious to where I need to be
seen now? Thanks so much for your
help.
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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General Q&A Answer A1552 Posted: 10-05-06 07:47am
According to the symptoms you report
(chest and back pain that suddenly occur
and disappear during the night), it is
very difficult to identify a possible
cuase without further diagnostic
procedures. A physical examination
(inspection, percussion…) and measuring
blood pressure are the first procedure for
correct diagnosise. Then, an ECG needs to
be done to exclude heart disorder. A chest
X-ray may also be requested to see the
lungs and heart. The vertebral spine needs
to be examined via X-ray, too. You can see
your GP, or an internist if necessary.
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