The back is a complex structure based on the spine. The lumbar spine is made up of five vertebrae, starting with 20 from the top. They are the largest among the whole vertebrae and down, from the first to the fifth lumbar vertebrae, gradually increasing in size, as this area has the greatest load. The back part of this vertebral area is called the lower back.
These changes in the back lead to pain, and it is worth treating such problems with caution. Pain can be caused by both congenital anomalies and acquired diseases. This can be the result of injuries while doing vigorous physical exercise, infections, tumors, hernias, etc.
Causes of back pain
In most cases, low back pain is caused by osteochondrosis. But he is not the only cause of back pain. Some people don’t know why their backs are bothering. Many internal organ diseases, injuries and physiological conditions are reflected by back pain, and this list includes:
- diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- physiological pain during menstruation in women;
- spinal cord injuries;
- injury (sprain) of the back muscles;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- scoliosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- infections that destroy the spine and discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscesses);
- tumor process;
- Reiter's syndrome.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
In 90% of cases, back pain is caused by problems with the spine and back muscles. The lumbar spine is more often affected than other parts of the spine. They experience a very large load when walking, becoming the center of gravity in upright people. Also, there is a lot of pressure on the lower back when one is sitting.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be asymptomatic for a long time, and back pain is often the first sign of the disease. It can have varying intensity and duration - periodic back pain or acute pain syndrome with pinched nerve roots.
Pathologies that cause back pain include:
- osteochondrosis;
- intervertebral horizontal protrusion, vertical hernia (Schmorl) and disc protrusion;
- primary and secondary (metastatic) malignant tumors in the posterior bone and soft tissues;
- lower back muscle myositis;
- osteomyelitis (infectious purulent process caused by pathogenic microflora, for example, tubercle bacillus or the causative agent of brucellosis);
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- radiculitis;
- sciatica (damage or irritation of the sciatic nerve);
- deformity of spondylosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis and Reiter's syndrome;
- sacroiliac disease and hip joint;
- epiduritis (inflammation of the dura mater of the spinal cord);
- rachiocampsis;
- injuries to bone structures, muscles and ligaments of the back;
- metabolic changes in bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomalacia).
Acute lower back pain is often referred to as lumbago (low back pain). The main causes are vertebral displacement, intervertebral hernias and congenital anomalies in the spine. Back pain can last from a few hours to a few days and stop abruptly if the "vertebrae are in place. "
Pain with kidney disease
Often, aching back pain accompanies renal pathology. It does not change according to body position and increases if a person stands for a long time on his feet. More often it is biased and indicates a chronic disease. You should see a doctor if your back hurts and you have the following symptoms:
- signs of intoxication and general lethargy (chills, fatigue, etc. );
- swelling of the eyelids and face in the morning;
- violation of the process of urination (frequent, painful, etc. );
- a sharp increase or decrease in blood pressure;
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
- changing urine parameters (too dark, cloudy, with an unpleasant odor, etc. ).
The appearance of blood in the urine and severe back pain are hallmarks of an attack of urolithiasis. In this case, a painful sensation can be given from the back along the ureter, to the groin area, genitals and the inner surface of the thigh.
Hematuria can also indicate kidney cancer. But unlike urolithiasis, in most cases, the tumor grows without symptoms for a long time and the back only hurts in the last stages of the process.
Low back pain and pregnancy
During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman’s lower back experiences tremendous stress. If the pregnant mother suffers from back pain, then this may be a physiological phenomenon, or a sign of the development or exacerbation of the disease.
Increased load
Any physical activity can trigger back pain. It can appear after summer work, weight lifting, intense strength training, etc.
Overweight
Being overweight has a negative impact on the condition of the spine. Each extra kilogram is an additional load on the lower back.
In obese individuals, the risk of developing osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias increases dramatically. Obese people are also prone to the formation of gallstones, the onset of early osteoporosis and other pathologies that cause back pain.
Another reason
Sometimes the back hurts for other reasons:
- Pathology. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, intestinal tumors, gallstones, etc. ); pathology of the pelvic organs (prostatitis, endometriosis, neoplasms, infections and inflammation); spinal circulatory disorders; atherosclerosis or abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- physiology. Prolonged static load on the back, prolonged work at the computer, many hours of driving, etc.
Lumbodynia can radiate to the lower back in cases of ectopic pregnancy and "acute abdomen".
Types of pain and its causes
When the back hurts in the lumbar region, a person is sometimes unable to move. The nature of the pain can change in a day: first, a dull pain in the lower back is felt, and then an acute one, and then subsides again. Also, it can be continuous and not receding. At a young age, everything is more acceptable than in the elderly, when the lower back is always sore.
In general, pain is a mechanism for recognizing problems caused by disease. Pain reveals a hidden problem, so it plays a big role. But, of course, you can’t tolerate it. You must immediately contact a specialist who will determine the cause and prescribe treatment.
Chronic pain
Chronic back pain is a frequent companion of diseases of the spine and internal organs. It is pronounced and persistent in cancer patients with metastases to the vertebrae or their primary tumor lesions.
Sharp pain
Acute back pain can signal a serious problem that requires proactive tactics. The following pathologies appealed to him:
- vertebral fractures and other acute back injuries;
- exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the joints;
- spinal epiduritis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- exacerbation of osteochondrosis;
- acute abdomen (intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, ovarian apoplexy, etc. );
- stone movement with ICD or kidney stone disease;
- pinched nerves;
- acute circulatory disorders in the posterior ducts;
- pyelonephritis in the acute stage.
If a pregnant woman feels her back is very sore, she should immediately seek medical help. With severe pain in the lower back of the child, parents are obliged to show the baby to a pediatrician.
Severe pain
If you are worried about severe back pain and taking analgesics does not help, you should see a doctor.
It hurts
Often, lower back pain is thought to be the result of muscle fatigue. This is a wrong response. Sometimes the back hurts with severe pathology of the small pelvis (prostate cancer in men and uterine cancer in women).
Also, a similar painful sensation is typical for a sluggish infectious process, benign formation and a growing hernia. Over time, they get stronger, accompanied by other signs of illness.
Abandoned pain
When the back is sore, and lumbodynia varies in intensity and duration, the cause may be not one pathology, but several. You will need to make an appointment with a specialist and undergo a thorough examination.
Which doctor should I go to?
If your lower back hurts, you should first visit a therapist. The doctor will take a history, describe in detail the back pain, conduct an examination and draw up a diagnostic step plan. Depending on their decision, he will prescribe treatment, or send a consultation to a narrow specialist:
- neurologist;
- vertebroneurologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurosurgeon.
Diagnostics
When the lower back is sore, diagnostic measures are prescribed in the complex. Laboratory tests, ultrasound examinations, X-ray methods, instrumental examinations etc. are mandatory.
X-ray
Bone X-rays are a simple and affordable diagnostic method. With spinal pathology, all existing defects can be seen in the image. By focusing on the data obtained, the physician makes a diagnosis and is determined with further tactics for managing patients with low back pain.
CT scan
Computed tomography was prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and strictly according to the indications. On the tomogram, a bone defect is clearly visible, which causes pain in the lower back.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a highly informative modern diagnostic method. It allows you to explore any part of the body. With its help, the condition of blood vessels, nerve structure, spinal cord and internal organs is assessed.
Despite its relative safety, it should not be given to "everyone in a row" who suffers from back pain. The exam has some contraindications.
Possible complications and consequences of pain
If you do not consult a doctor and do not determine the cause of back pain, the consequences can be serious. A symptom cannot be ignored.
When the back hurts strongly, spinal cord injury or an acute process in the abdomen is possible. Ignoring lumbodynia with pinched nerves can result in constant loss of sensitivity and motor activity. Lower back pain is fraught with serious consequences, such as rupture of internal organs, bleeding, abscesses, sepsis, etc.
First aid for acute pain
If there is severe back pain, call a doctor or an ambulance. Before the doctor's arrival, the patient needs:
- take a "lumbar friendly" posture;
- drink an anesthetic, and if there is no effect, repeat taking the pill after half an hour (put an intramuscular injection);
- relieve cramps with medication;
- eliminate the possibility of swelling by drinking diuretic or herbal teas;
- improve tissue nutrition by taking complex vitamin and mineral preparations;
- lubricate the lower back with an ointment or gel.
Sometimes they use folk methods (colored horseradish, pepper or nettle). When your back hurts, you should adhere to a "unloading" diet, excluding any irritating factors.
How to recover from back pain?
There are several treatments for back and lower back pain. But it all relates to whether traditional (medical methods) or alternative.
Traditional methods include:
- bed rest;
- drug treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- surgical treatment;
Alternative methods include:
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- yoga class.
The main goal of this method is to alleviate suffering and the golden rule: "Do no harm. "
When the back hurts, first of all, it is necessary to consult a doctor, and based on the established diagnosis and recommendations received, carry out treatment at home. Injections, electrical procedures must be obtained in medical institutions, and back massage, using warming compresses and ointments on the lower back, and taking pills can be taken not only in the clinic, but also at home. Self-medication and improper adherence to recommendations will only harm.
Drug treatment
Medical treatment should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the cause of the back pain. Self -intake of pharmaceuticals is not acceptable.
Ointments and gels
Lubrication of the back is recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The following types of ointments are distinguished:
- combined, has several effects (relieves inflammation, relieves pain, heals);
- anti-inflammatory analgesics (containing bulbs, lavender and similar ingredients);
- irritants (vegetable, animal or synthetic);
- chondroprotectors (to restore and protect cartilage tissue).
If the lower back hurts, but the diagnosis has not been clarified, you should not use external agents.
Injections
Sometimes back pain is treated with injections. The doctor injects analgesics into the affected area. In some situations, restriction with anesthetics is used.
Physiotherapy
When the back hurts, exercise therapy is almost always recommended. Gymnastics helps strengthen the skeletal muscles of the lower back, increases tissue trophism and stretches the ligaments. Exercise sets are selected individually.
Massotherapy
Low back pain can be effectively relieved with massage therapy. You can turn to a professional, or do the manipulation yourself. In the case of pathology of internal organs and neoplasms, it is impossible to massage the back.
Physiotherapy
If your back hurts, physiotherapy is prescribed for some ailments. Physiotherapy is particularly effective for low back osteochondrosis. They use magnetotherapy, laser treatment, electrophoresis, pulse current, hirudotherapy and other techniques.
Prevention of back pain
If a person has a chronic condition that can cause back pain, prevention is to avoid severity. In order, in principle, not to face these symptoms, one must first monitor the health of the spine. If your back hurts, the precautions are:
- active lifestyle;
- daily gymnastics;
- a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals;
- adequate physical activity for the back;
- lower back injury exclusion;
- lack of pressure;
- focused treatment of infection.
Annual preventive checkups are very important to identify pre -existing health problems in a timely manner and prevent back pain.