What Causes Upper And Middle Back Pain?

Posted on Tue, 12 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 Answered on

Mon, 8 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello -
I woke up with acute pressure on my mid to higher back on the right side. It was coming from my side as well as my back. I got extremely dizzy and nauseous and went to the floor. Could not get up from pain and dizziness. I was profusely sweating. It lasted for about 5 - 10 mins. The nausea was the last to subside. I feel better now. There is a tightness in that area. No pain when I push on that area

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that it is important performing a comprehensive differential diagnosis between different causes that may lead to this clinical scenario:

- a musculoskeletal disorder including a backbone disorder. A wrong position during sleep can trigger this symptomatology.

- an aorta disorder

I recommend going to the ER for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a resting ECG
- a chest x-ray study
- a cervico- thoracic spine x-ray study
- some blood lab tests ( complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, kidney and liver function tests).

A cardiac ultrasound could help examine your aorta better.

Meanwhile I recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar