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ADVERTISEMENT INDEX

Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Builder Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information

Alufold Direct Ltd..............................................................(page 41) www.rdr.link/BAR120

Azpects Ltd........................................................................(page 43) www.rdr.link/BAR121

Bond-it................................................................................page 34) www.rdr.link/BAR122

Buckbootz..........................................................................(page 34) www.rdr.link/BAR123

Eclisse UK Ltd......................................................................(page 11) www.rdr.link/BAR124

estimators.com............................................................(back cover) www.rdr.link/BAR125

F Ball & Co Ltd/ Setcrete..................................................(page 44) www.rdr.link/BAR126

Federation Of Master Builders Ltd..................................(page 67) www.rdr.link/BAR127

Freefoam Plastics Ltd......................................................(page 46) www.rdr.link/BAR128

Grass Concrete Int Ltd......................................................(page 36) www.rdr.link/BAR129

Hallstone Deveopment Ltd..............................................(page 42) www.rdr.link/BAR130

International Decorative Surfaces/Allur........................(page 27) www.rdr.link/BAR131

Knauf Drywall....................................................................(page 21) www.rdr.link/BAR132

Made for Trade..................................................................(page 15) www.rdr.link/BAR133

Made for Trade............................................................(pages 16,17) www.rdr.link/BAR134

Makita (UK) Ltd....................................................................(page 8) www.rdr.link/BAR135

Marley Ltd..........................................................................(page 18) www.rdr.link/BAR136

Marshalls PLC....................................................................(page 37) www.rdr.link/BAR137

Origin Doors Ltd................................(inside front cover gatefold) www.rdr.link/BAR138

Origin Doors Ltd................................................................(page 31) www.rdr.link/BAR139

Origin Doors Ltd................................................................(page 33) www.rdr.link/BAR140

PB Online..........................................................................(page 69) www.rdr.link/BAR141

Pnu-Point Ltd....................................................................(page 59) www.rdr.link/BAR142

Podcast..............................................................................(page 77) www.rdr.link/BAR143

Quickslide............................................................................(page 5) www.rdr.link/BAR144

Rainy Day............................................................................(page 71) www.rdr.link/BAR145

Rocket Door Frames........................................................(page 64) www.rdr.link/BAR146

Rocket Door Frames........................................................(page 65) www.rdr.link/BAR147

Rockwool UK Ltd................................................................(page 6) www.rdr.link/BAR148

Saniflo Ltd..........................................................................(page 22) www.rdr.link/BAR149

SIXT......................................................................................(page 4) www.rdr.link/BAR150

Steel Blue Europe..............................................................(page 25) www.rdr.link/BAR151

Sui Generis International Ltd/Safe Tread......................(page 43) www.rdr.link/BAR152

Tarmac PLC/Blue Circle....................................................(page 28) www.rdr.link/BAR153

Toolfair................................................................................(page 78) www.rdr.link/BAR154

Tuffx Processed Glass Ltd................................................(page 61) www.rdr.link/BAR155

V12 Footwear....................................................................(page 53) www.rdr.link/BAR156

VIP Polymers Ltd..............................................................(page 59) www.rdr.link/BAR157

Vortex..................................................................................(page 57) www.rdr.link/BAR158

West Fraser Ltd..................................................................(page 47) www.rdr.link/BAR159

NO. 42 BACK PAIN (PART 2)

OUCH... I’ve put my back out!

Last month’s column covered the very common condition of muscular lower back pain. This month we move on to back pain caused by reasons other than muscle problems. Back pain caused by serious medical conditions represents a very small number of cases, but it can be a sign of conditions like infection or cancer happening inside the body to cause pain that is felt in the back.

This article will cover symptoms that might indicate a more serious underlying reason for having back pain. That doesn’t mean to say that experiencing these symptoms means there is definitely a serious problem, but it should prompt you to seek help or the medical professional assessing you to consider some further tests.

There are two categories of symptoms; symptoms that mean you should have an urgent review with a medical professional and then symptoms that are a medical emergency – meaning you need to go to A&E or call 999.

So, firstly, the urgent symptoms. These are back pains associated with:

● Having a high temperature

● Feeling generally unwell or extremely tired

● Losing weight unintentionally

● Change in shape of your back or noticing any new lumps or swellings

● Pain that is worse at night or that does not get better with rest

● Pain that is worse with coughing, sneezing or moving your bowels

Pain in the back that is felt higher up in the “thoracic region” (or the upper back) is also more unusual than lower back pain and might indicate a non-muscular cause.

If you have any of these symptoms, then you should seek urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111 who will be able to assess you. It is likely an examination will be needed, and further tests might be arranged to find out exactly what is

IN PART TWO OF OUR BACK PAIN FOCUS, GP ALICE

FITZGIBBON LOOKS AT MORE SERIOUS AND UNDERLYING PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE BACK PAIN

genital area or buttocks

● Struggling to pass urine (being unable to go for a pee despite trying)

● Loss of control of the bladder or the bowels (incontinence).

Cauda equina is an emergency and assessment must not be delayed. If it is suspected, an examination and a scan of the back is required in hospital. Surgery may be needed to relieve the compression of the spinal cord to prevent permanent damage to the nerves supplying the bladder, bowels and legs.

going on.

Back pain is a medical emergency when there are signs that there might be something pressing on the bottom of the spinal cord (called the cauda equina). Prolapsed discs in the spine, collapsed bones or tumours growing can all cause what is known as “cauda equina syndrome”. The specific symptoms associated with this condition are back pain with:

Pain, numbness, altered sensation or Numbness or tingling around the

As I have mentioned, sinister causes for back pain are far less common than muscular causes. It is important to be aware of the symptoms to look out for, especially as symptoms can change over time. If you experience back pain with any worrying features, or you feel your symptoms are changing over time, then please seek review with a medical professional, whether that be your primary care team or physiotherapist. Next time, in the final article on back pain, we will cover the kinds of discomfort caused by ‘slipped discs’ and sciatica.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON BACK PAIN FROM THE NHS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAR090

ToughBuilt’s #KneelSmartKneelSafe campaign aims to see kneepads treated with the same sense of necessity on the jobsite as other forms of PPE like eye protection, hard hats or safety boots. After all, the consequences of not wearing kneepads can be every bit as devastating. ToughBuilt’s ultimate aim is to reduce the number of people who inadvertently end up with work related knee injuries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TOUGHBUILT RANGE OF KNEEPADS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAR091