Mr. Cheung, a construction worker, has been experiencing pain in his back, especially in his upper right back, which is sometimes dull and sometimes sharp.
At first, Mr. Zhang thought it was due to being too tired from work, so he bought some ointment for bruises. However, instead of alleviating the pain, it tended to worsen, and Mr. Zhang became worried and decided to go to the hospital to find a doctor for a thorough examination.
At the hospital, Mr. Zhang described his symptoms to doctors, who carefully asked about his medical history and then performed a physical examination for him. When the doctor touched Mr. Zhang's upper right back, Mr. Zhang gasped in pain.
The doctor said, "Mr. Zhang, judging from your symptoms, this back pain is not very much like a simple strain or muscle injury. The pain in your upper right back, the location roughly corresponds to the liver and gallbladder. We need to do some tests to see if there is something wrong with the hepatobiliary system. "
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang became nervous: "Doctor, what do you mean, there may be something wrong with my liver or gallbladder?
The doctor reassured, "Don't worry too much, we haven't been diagnosed yet." Even if it is a hepatobiliary disease, most of them are treatable. However, your case reminds us that back pain is not always a muscle, bone or nerve problem, and sometimes, it can be a manifestation of a visceral disorder. "
On the doctor's advice, Mr. Zhang underwent a series of tests, including blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, etc. The results showed that Mr. Zhang's liver function was indeed abnormal, and the gallbladder wall was also slightly thickened. Doctors diagnosed Mr. Zhang with chronic hepatitis and cholecystitis.
The doctor said, "Mr. Zhang, your case is typical. Hepatitis and cholecystitis can cause pain in the upper right back because lesions in the liver and gallbladder irritate the diaphragm, which connects to the back muscles.
In addition to hepatobiliary diseases, other visceral diseases may also have similar symptoms. For example, pain in the left upper back may be related to the spleen, pain in the left lower back may involve the kidneys, and pain in the right lower back may originate in the colon or appendix. "
Mr. Zhang suddenly realized: "I see! So, how can we tell if the back pain is a muscle problem or a visceral problem?"
The doctor explained: "Generally speaking, if the pain is related to posture or activity, it can be relieved after rest, which is more likely to indicate muscle, bone or nerve problems, and if the pain persists, it is not related to body position, and even radiates to the abdomen, the possibility of internal organs should be considered."
In addition, back pain caused by visceral diseases, often accompanied by other symptoms, such as dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, and fever, are also important differentiating clues. Of course, an accurate diagnosis requires the help of the necessary auxiliary tests. "
Under the doctor's treatment, Mr. Zhang's hepatitis and cholecystitis were effectively controlled, and the back pain gradually disappeared. He realized that he had been careless in attributing the pain simply to strain.
Mr. Zhang's story is a reminder that back pain is not always as simple as muscle strain, it may be a sign of internal organ disease. As the doctor said, the pain in the right upper back may be related to the liver and gallbladder, the pain in the left upper back may involve the spleen, and the pain in the left and right lower back may be due to the kidneys, colon, etc.
Of course, most back pain is caused by problems with muscles, bones, or nerves. Strains, muscle damage, herniated discs, osteoporosis, etc., are all common causes.
This type of pain is usually positional, activity-related, and relieved with rest. In contrast, back pain caused by visceral disorders tends to be persistent, irrespective of position, may radiate to the abdomen, and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, and fever.
Therefore, when we experience back pain, do not always simply attribute it to strain or muscle problems, but carefully analyze the nature, location, relieving factors, etc. of the pain, and pay attention to whether there are other accompanying symptoms.
If the pain persists and does not relieve with changes in body position, or if it is accompanied by digestive or urinary symptoms, it is necessary to be vigilant and seek help from a doctor in time.
Of course, even back pain caused by internal organs, most of them are treatable.
The key is to detect early, diagnose early, treat early, and don't wait until the disease is serious to go to the hospital. Regular check-ups and good lifestyle habits are also important for the prevention and early detection of diseases.
Every part of the body is intricately connected to the internal organs, and abnormalities in any part of the body can be a sign of internal organ disease. The doctor's explanation told us that to identify the cause of back pain, it is necessary to comprehensively analyze the characteristics of the symptoms, and if necessary, to use examinations.
For ordinary people, increasing vigilance against diseases, developing good living habits, and regular physical examinations are the keys to maintaining health. Let us go hand in hand, treat health with a positive attitude and rational attitude, and believe that under the guidance of medicine, we will eventually embrace a beautiful and healthy life.