The back is a complex structure based on the spine. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae, starting at the 20th vertebra from the top. They are the largest of the remaining vertebrae and descend, from the first to the fifth lumbar vertebra, increasing in size as this area bears the greatest load. The back in the area of these vertebrae is called the lower back.
Changes in this part of the back lead to pain and it is important to treat such problems carefully. Pain can be caused by both birth defects and acquired diseases. This can be the result of high-intensity exercise injuries, infections, tumors, hernias, etc. v.
Causes of back pain
In most cases, low back pain is caused by osteonecrosis. But he's not the only cause of low back pain. Some people don't even know why their back is in trouble. Many internal organ diseases, injuries, and physiological conditions are reflected in the evidence of back pain, and the list includes:
- diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- physiological pain during menstruation in women;
- spinal cord injury;
- injury (sprain) of the back muscles;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- scoliosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- infections that destroy the spine and discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess);
- tumor processes;
- 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 vertebrae are affected more often than other parts of the spine. They are subject to enormous loads when walking, which is the center of gravity of an upright person. Also, there is a lot of pressure on the lower back when a person is sitting.
Musculoskeletal system diseases can be asymptomatic for a long time, and back pain is often the first sign of the disease. It can be of varying intensity and duration - cyclic low back pain or acute pain syndrome with pinched nerve roots.
Conditions that cause back pain include:
- bone necrosis;
- transverse condylar disc, longitudinal herniation (Schmorl) and disc protrusion;
- primary and secondary (metastatic) melanoma in the bones and soft tissues of the back;
- myositis of the muscles of the lower back;
- osteomyelitis (an infectious pyogenic process caused by pathogenic microorganisms, for example, tubercle bacilli or the causative agent of brucellosis);
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- pulpitis;
- sciatica (injury or irritation of the sciatic nerve);
- degenerative deformity of the vertebrae;
- rheumatoid arthritis and Reiter's syndrome;
- diseases of the sacrum and hip joints;
- epididymitis (inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord);
- rachiocampsis;
- trauma to the skeletal structure, muscles and ligaments of the back;
- metabolic changes in bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomalacia).
Acute low back pain is often referred to as low back pain (low back pain). Its main causes are vertebrae displacement, disc herniation and birth defects of the spine. Back pain can last from a few hours to a few days and stops suddenly if the vertebrae are "smooth".
Pain due to kidney disease
Often, severe low back pain accompanies kidney disease. It does not change with the position of the body and increases if a person stands on their feet for a long time. Most often, it is one-sided and indicates chronic diseases. You need to see a doctor if your back hurts and you have the following symptoms:
- signs of intoxication and general malaise (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;
- changes in the parameters of the urine (too dark, cloudy, unpleasant odor, etc. ).
Presence of blood in the urine and severe back pain are characteristic of an attack of urolithiasis. In this case, painful sensations may be radiated from the back along the ureters, into the groin, genitals, and inner surfaces of the thighs.
Hematuria can also be a sign of kidney cancer. But unlike urolithiasis, in most cases the tumors grow asymptomatic for a long time, and the back hurts only in the late stages of the process.
Low back pain and pregnancy
During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman's lower back is under extreme stress. If the expectant mother has back pain, then this can be a physiological phenomenon, or signal the development or exacerbation of the disease.
Increase load
Any physical activity can cause back pain. It can appear after summer work, weight lifting, intense exercise, etc. v.
Over weight
Excess weight negatively affects the condition of the spine. Every extra kilogram is an additional load on the lower back.
In obese individuals, the risk of developing osteonecrosis and disc herniation is significantly increased. Obese people are also prone to kidney stone formation, early osteoporosis and other diseases that cause back pain.
Other reasons
Sometimes back pain is caused by other reasons:
- Pathological. Diseases of the digestive tract (colitis, intestinal tumors, gallstones, etc. ); pathology of the pelvic organs (prostatitis, endometriosis, cancer, infection and inflammation); spinal circulatory disorders; atherosclerosis or abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- Physiology. Prolonged static load on the back, long working at the computer, long driving hours, etc. v.
Numbness can radiate to the lower back in cases of ectopic pregnancy and "acute abdomen".
Types of pain and their causes
When the back is painful in the lumbar region, the patient is sometimes unable to move. The nature of the pain can change within a day: first, there is a dull ache in the lower back, then it is acute and then it subsides. Also, it can be constant and non-decreasing. In youth, everything is more easily tolerated than in old people, when the lower back is constantly in pain.
In general, pain is a mechanism for identifying problems caused by disease. Pain indicates an underlying problem, so it plays a huge role. But, of course, you cannot tolerate her. You must immediately contact a specialist to 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 constant in cancer patients with vertebral metastases or their primary tumor lesion.
Sting
Acute low back pain can signal a serious problem that requires proactive tactics. The following pathologies appeal to her:
- spinal fractures and other acute back injuries;
- exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the joints;
- epididymitis;
- disc herniation;
- exacerbation of osteonecrosis;
- acute abdomen (intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, ovarian tumor, etc. );
- stone migration with ICD or gallstone disease;
- pinched nerve;
- acute circulatory disorders in the vessels of the back;
- pyelonephritis in the acute stage.
If a pregnant woman feels a lot of back pain, she should see a doctor immediately. When a child has severe pain in the lower back, it is imperative that parents take the child to the pediatrician.
So hurt
If you are concerned about severe back pain and taking pain relievers is not helping, you should consult your doctor.
Hurt
Often, excruciating low back pain is thought to be the result of muscle fatigue. This is a wrong conception. Sometimes back pain is caused by serious diseases of the small pelvis (prostate cancer in men and uterine cancer in women).
In addition, painful sensations of a similar nature are typical for slow infectious processes, benign formations and increasing hernias. Over time, they are enhanced by other signs of the disease.
Pain
When the back is painful and numb with varying intensity and duration, the cause may not be one disease but several. You should make an appointment with a specialist and get a thorough examination.
Which doctor should I see?
If your lower back hurts, you need to see a therapist first. The doctor will take a medical history, describe in detail the back pain, conduct an examination and plan diagnostic measures. Depending on their results, the doctor will either prescribe treatment or send a consultation to a narrow specialist:
- neurologist;
- vertebral neurologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurosurgery.
Diagnose
When the lower back is painful, diagnostic measures are prescribed in the complex. Laboratory tests, ultrasound examinations, X-ray methods, instrument inspection and others are required.
X ray
Bone X-ray is a simple and affordable diagnostic method. With pathology of the spine, all existing defects are visible in the images. Focusing on the data obtained, the physician makes a diagnosis and resolves the subsequent tactics of managing a patient with back pain.
CT scan
Computed tomography is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and to follow the indications. On X-rays, bone defects are clearly visible, causing pain in the lower back.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern, highly informative diagnostic method. It allows you to explore any area of the body. With its help, the condition of blood vessels, nervous structures, spinal cord and internal organs is evaluated.
Although relatively safe, it cannot be prescribed to "everyone in a row" with back pain. Examination has a number of contraindications.
Possible complications and consequences of pain
If you do not consult your doctor and do not identify the cause of your back pain, the consequences can be serious. A symptom that cannot be ignored.
When the back is in severe pain, there may be a spinal injury or acute abdominal processes. Neglecting paralysis from a pinched nerve can lead to persistent loss of sensitivity and motor activity. Lower back pain has many serious consequences, such as rupture of internal organs, bleeding, abscess, sepsis, etc. v.
First aid for acute pain
If you have acute back pain, call your doctor or an ambulance. Before visiting the doctor, the patient needs to:
- perform a "waist-friendly" pose;
- take the anesthetic, and if it doesn't work, take the pill again after half an hour (intramuscularly);
- relieve spasms with drugs;
- eliminate swelling by drinking diuretics or herbal teas;
- improve tissue nutrition by taking a complex vitamin and mineral preparation;
- Lubricate the lower back with ointment or gel.
Sometimes they use folk methods (horseradish tincture, pepper or nettle). When it comes to back pain, you should adhere to the "unloading" diet, which excludes all unpleasant factors.
How to recover from low back pain?
There are several treatments for back pain and lower back pain. But all are related to traditional (medical methods) or alternative.
Traditional methods include:
- bed rest;
- therapeutic drugs;
- physical therapy;
- surgical treatment;
Alternative methods include:
- Massage;
- Acupuncture;
- yoga class.
The main goal of these methods is to reduce suffering and the golden rule: "Do no harm".
When the back hurts, it is necessary first of all to consult a doctor, and on the basis of the established diagnosis and received recommendations, conduct home treatment. Injections, electrical procedures must be performed in a medical facility, and back massage, warm compresses and ointments on the lower back, and medication can be done not only in the clinic but also at home. Self-medication and improper observance of recommendations will only cause harm.
Drug treatment
Medical treatment should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the cause of back pain. Self-administration of medications is unacceptable.
Ointments and gels
Lubrication of the back is recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The following ointments are distinguished:
- combined, has several effects (reduces inflammation, relieves pain, heals);
- anti-inflammatory analgesics (contains menthol, lavender and similar ingredients);
- stimulants (vegetable, animal or synthetic);
- chondroprotectors (to restore and protect cartilage tissue).
If the lower back is painful and the diagnosis is not clear, then external agents should not be used.
Injections
Sometimes back pain is treated with injections. The doctor injects a pain reliever into the affected area. In some situations, blockade with anesthetic is used.
Physical therapy
When it comes to back pain, exercise therapy is almost always recommended. Exercise strengthens the lower back muscles, improves tissue strength, and stretches ligaments. Set of individually selected exercises.
Massotherapy
Low back pain can be effectively eliminated with massage therapy. You can ask the experts or do the operations yourself. In case of visceral diseases, tumors, it is not possible to massage the back.
Physical therapy
If your back is painful, physical therapy is indicated for a number of ailments. Physical therapy is particularly effective for osteonecrosis of the low back. They use magnetic therapy, laser therapy, electrophoresis, pulsed currents, hirudotherapy and other techniques.
Back pain prevention
If a person has a chronic condition that can cause back pain, then prevention would be to prevent exacerbations. In order to not experience this symptom in principle, it is necessary to first monitor the health of the spine. If your back hurts, preventive measures are:
- active lifestyle;
- daily exercise;
- balanced nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals;
- adequate physical activity for the back;
- exclude lower back injury;
- lack of stress;
- treat foci of infection.
Annual preventive health check-ups are very important for timely identification of existing health problems and prevention of back pain.