According to statistics, about 80% of people living on the planet have back problems. For possible causes, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention - read the article.
Everyone has experienced back pain at least once in a while. But if earlier it happened in the elderly, then today the pain in the lumbar spine often bothers the young. Acute or painful, lasting only a few minutes or bothering a person for weeks or even months - back pain - can appear for a variety of reasons. Often a person is accustomed to his condition. Unpleasant sensations become a part of life. But visits to the doctor are still delayed, thus reducing the likelihood of recovery.
Causes of back pain - what you need to know
- Often, the cause of back pain lies in degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spinal space - joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, periarticular muscles.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, osteoporosis, protrusion and intervertebral disc herniation - these and other acquired spinal diseases are often accompanied by painful manifestations. At the same time, it is important to determine the causes of these violations. There are dozens of theories of the origin of this disease. Excess weight has a negative impact on the spine, as a result of which the vertebrae experience increased stress, which results in premature application. Violation of body posture or improper body position while working will cause muscle tension, as a result - pinching of nerves, displacement of the vertebrae. With sharp muscle tension, when lifting loads or unsuccessful movements, sprains and microtraumas are inevitable.
- However,back pain may be secondary, and is not necessarily associated with spinal pathology.Infectious processes may be the cause. For example, in brucellosis, damage to the spine leads to sclerotic changes and the appearance of osteophytes (growths) that compress nerve tissue. With tuberculosis, the vertebral body is destroyed. With osteomyelitis, due to the accumulation of purulent contents, the structure of the spine is compressed. However, pain appears in the lumbar spine.
- Tumors(osteoblastoma, myeloma, osteosarcoma, metastasis to the spine, etc. ) - benign or malignant, usually accompanied by pain in the lumbar region of varying intensity, unconfirmedby painkillers.
- One of the most common causes of back pain is many diseasesin the internal organs.Rheumatoid arthritis,ankylosing spondyloarthritis, pielonefritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, complementary inflammation, prostate disease, as well as problems with the intestines and even the lungs.
5 Common Causes of Back Pain
The back can be called an indicator of body condition. Almost all problems in the body are accompanied by pain. Low back pain can be very different: painful or acute, appearing after sleep or staying long in one position.
Sudden shooting pain often causes a person to be unable to move. The intensity of the painful manifestation depends on the original cause of the pain. The most common are:
1. Lumbago, also called lumbago
This is one of the most common types of back pain. Appears with physical exercise or awkward body position. Although it can happen for no apparent reason. Burning and ruptured pain does not allow the person to straighten. When you try to change the position of the body, even if you cough, the sensation only increases. Acute pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours, or even a few days, but in some cases it can suddenly stop.
2. Sciatica (neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, lumbosacral radiculitis)
Sciatica is manifested by shooting pain, tingling, numbness. The pain often spreads along the sciatic nerve to the back, along the back of the leg. The sensation can be so strong that one cannot sit, walk, or bend over.
3. Lower back pain with osteochondrosis
This is the most common type. More often it grows gradually and increases with any movement, even sneezing or coughing. Also, the sensitivity of certain areas in the lower body or legs may be disturbed.
4. In case of illness
Pain in the lumbar region in various diseases is very characteristic. Pain, dull, can cause lower abdomen, area near navel, in hypochondrium. However, with renal colic, a person experiences very strong pain, and immediate medical attention is needed.
5. Muscle spasms
Muscle cramps appear when the casing is not in the correct position for a long time. As a result, spinal movement is limited. This triggers the so-called "vicious circle", when back pain is caused by muscle spasms, which in turn, again cause pain. This condition can persist for a long time and cause the suffering of someone quite real.
What to do with acute back pain?
Acute lower back pain occurs in a variety of conditions. Protruding and intervertebral hernias, osteochondrosis, lumbago and sciatica, injuries and circulatory disorders. As well as various diseases of the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity. It is almost impossible to determine the cause of the painful sensation itself, so one needs to be taken to a specialist.
- If you suspectspinal cord injuryor vertebrae, it is important to restrict movement before the arrival of the medical team.
- Stretchingmuscles or ligaments. In the first minute, you can use a cold, which will prevent the growth of swelling and reduce pain.
- For seizures caused byspinal diseases, first of all, you should take the most comfortable position. Often, a person feels relieved by lying on a hard surface with his feet slightly raised. If you cannot see a doctor right away, you can take painkillers.
- If back pain is a symptom ofinternal disease, the patient chooses the most comfortable position for him. Important to remember: if the cause of lower back pain is unknown, it is better to refuse warming compresses and ointments. Indeed, if there is an inflammatory process, they can worsen the condition.
Methods for diagnosing back pain
There are many cases where low back pain occurs. To determine the origin and prescribe treatment, you need the help of a doctor. The cause of their appearance is not always spinal disease. In this case, the localization of the painful sensation is important, first of all. For example, lower back pain on the right or left side may indicate urological pathology, intestinal disease: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, blockage, and others. In some cases, there may be pain in the lower back, for example, with hepatitis, cholecystitis or taking toxic medications. If the back hurts below the lower back, then such localization can indicate disease in the genital organs, for example, uterine complement in women or prostate gland in men.
Start with a visit to a therapist or neurologist who will prescribe the necessary examinations. In some cases, it may be necessary to consult a urologist, orthopedist, traumatologist, infectious disease specialist and other narrow specialists. Thanks to the current diagnostic methods, it is possible to determine the cause of pain in the lumbar region with high accuracy. X-ray of the lumbosacral spine is the most accessible method of examination, which makes it possible to determine structural violations, the presence of inflammatory processes, osteoporosis and related disorders. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is the most effective diagnostic method, thanks to layer-by-layer imaging of internal structures, even the smallest violations can be detected. In addition, various laboratory tests can be prescribed - depending on the symptoms.
Treatment for back pain
The patient should be at rest in any condition. However, the treatment tactics chosen depend on the disease that causes the pain in the spine.If there are dystrophic and functional changesin the spine, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants are prescribed to relieve muscle spasms, as well as drugs that improve nutrition and tissue regrowth. The appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetotherapy), as well as massage, acupuncture and therapy exercises are very effective. In some cases, such as a hernia or injury, surgical treatment is indicated.
To reduce pain, relieve excessive muscle tension and cramps, it is recommended to wear a special bandage. It is used in addition to drug therapy for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, trauma and in the postoperative period. But an expert should choose a model, because a variety of options for corsets are sold.
If lower back pain is a symptom ofdisease of internal organs, then treatment is chosen taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial agents in the event of an infectious process, surgical treatment - for tumors, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, etc. . . . .
What to do if lower back pain occurs?
We are so organized that when health problems arise, we try to get rid of the painful sensations ourselves. Especially in cases where movement is not limited, the condition does not worsen, and after taking painkillers, the pain seems to subside. But you should know that only trauma is the only cause of back pain that a person can accurately determine. In other cases, it is better to trust the diagnosis to a specialist. But there are situations where a doctor's emergency treatment is needed immediately:
- impossibility or limited movement;
- decreased sensitivity in certain areas of the body, tingling in the limbs;
- urinary or fecal incontinence;
- severe pain, fever, nausea and more.
How to maintain mobility for years or less on prevention
Many back pain diseases do not appear suddenly. And serious illness, accompanied by pain in the lower back, is very possible to prevent. What is needed for this?
- Treat existing diseases in a timely manner, and also undergo regular preventive examinations.
- Physical activity should be appropriate for age, weight, general condition of the body. If it is impossible to avoid lifting weights, then the load should be lifted keeping the back straight. In addition, there are special tools for carrying loads, and you can also use a corset to support the back.
- How to walk straight, heel repulsion, correct position during sitting work will help prevent spinal deformities.
- Inactivity and poor diet will certainly lead to overweight - the leading cause of almost all diseases, including the spine. Improving your diet, exercising regularly, swimming in the pool, even walking in the fresh air will help you avoid many problems. In addition, an active lifestyle is an effective method of coping with stress - a major problem of modern people. But frequent stressful situations can be cited as major risk factors in the development of many pathologies.
Unfortunately, the desire to heal yourself is uncontrollable. Many recipes, supposedly magical ointments and widely advertised ointments often become useless if used uncontrollably. Remember - self-medication is a waste of time and money! Rejecting the help of specialists, we risk getting more advanced diseases. So if you are worried about back pain, do not procrastinate until later, make an appointment with your doctor!