As with all things, some spine diseases are worse than others. Whether this is due to their severity, or the fact that there just isn’t a concrete cure for them yet, these diseases are at the top of the list as the most serious. You should see a coastal spine and pain center specialist if you suspect one of these problems.
#1. Spinal cancer
Sadly, wherever there are cells in your body (i.e. everywhere) a cancerous tumor can form. This includes the spine, which is one of the last places you want anything to form, let alone a tumor. The symptoms of spinal cancer rely on many things about the tumor itself, including its size, shape, and type. The most common symptoms are intense pain, numbness, and difficulty urinating. Cancer is hard enough to treat anywhere else, but the spine is one of the most delicate parts of the body when it comes to this type of procedure. A spinal specialist needs to be consulted to help you determine the best course of treatment.
#2. Meningitis
Meningitis is when the membranes that surround your brain and spine start to inflame. This swelling results in such symptoms as fever, headache, and a stiff neck. The real problem with meningitis is how early it can strike, the earliest cases being just above 2 years of age. If you child has stiffness in the neck, a bulge on the soft spot on top of their head, and/or a consistently high fever, take them to a doctor immediately.
#3. Spinal tuberculosis
Otherwise known as Pott’s disease, this bug has the distinction of being one of the oldest recorded diseases in medical science. Fossils of human remains all the way back to the Iron Age have been found to have this disease before they died (and it’s likely the cause of death). Pott’s disease is a very rare infection in the spinal area, a combination of arthritis and osteomyelitis that attacks multiple vertebrae along the spinal cord. While treatment exists, it is still very serious disease that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
There are many other diseases and ailments that can affect the spinal cord, but these three are among the worst. While not immediately deadly, it is all too possible to die from them, even with all the medical technology available today. So if the pain in your back is a bit too severe to be normal, don’t wait another minute and contact your doctor.
