Looking at: back pain, thyroid and obesity

Posted on 29 November 2012

Back pain, testing for thyroid problems and dealing with obesity are three of your questions we asked our experts to answer.

1. My sister suffers from constant back pain and headaches. This has been going on since last year – what could be causing the problem?
Pinched nerves in the neck and upper back can cause pain the in the back, neck and head. This pain, as well as headaches, can also be brought on by stress or other health concerns, says Dr Izak Burger from Mediclinic Panorama. If you experience ongoing discomfort, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible – it’s important to rule out any serious physical injuries.

2. What kinds of tests are needed to diagnose a thyroid problem?
The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy and makes proteins, and controls the degree of sensitivity to other hormones. There are several procedures for testing its functioning (which can be underactive or overactive), including simple blood tests, X-ray tests and imaging or scans. A CT scan, known as a computed tomography or ‘cat scan’, can’t detect small thyroid nodules but may help identify larger ones. An MRI scan – or magnetic resonance imaging – won’t be able to determine the thyroid’s level of functioning but can detect any swelling or enlargement. And because it doesn’t use radiation, it’s often a preferred test. Another method is ultrasound, which helps evaluate any nodules, lumps and enlargement.

3. What can I do to reduce obesity? I’m trying to exercise, although I’m not getting it right very often and I’m drinking less cider than I used to. What else should I do?
What will work for you depends on how overweight you are, your general state of health and your willingness to follow a weight-loss plan. Think of it as a way to make changes that you can with for a lifetime, rather than just a temporary quick fix. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and low-fat foods; cut down on alcohol; get regular exercise; take the stairs instead of the lift, and remember that the more active you are, the more kilojoules you’ll burn.
A good measure of how much weight you need to lose is to work out your body mass index (BMI): simply divide your weight in kilogrammes by your height in metres squared. A healthy BMI is between 19,5 and 25; between 25 and 30 is considered overweight, and 30 or more makes you clinically obese. Don’t forget, though, BMI is just a starting point and muscle is heavier than fat – often muscular people can give a false ‘fat’ score. Rather read your BMI in conjunction with a skinfold test, which gives you an indication of body-fat percentage.

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The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.