The back is a complex structure based on the spine. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae, starting at the top 20. They are the largest of the remaining vertebrae and gradually increase in size from the first to the fifth lumbar vertebra downwards, as this region has the most load. The back in the region of these vertebrae is called the lower back.
Changes in this part of the back cause pain, and such problems are worth treating carefully. Pain can be caused by both congenital anomalies and acquired diseases. These include intense physical exertion, infections, tumors, hernias, and so on. may be the result of injuries during.
Causes of back pain
In most cases, back pain is caused by osteochondrosis. But it is not the only cause of back pain. Some people don't even know why their backs are worried. Many diseases, injuries and physiological conditions of the internal organs are reflected in back pain, and this list includes:
- diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- physiological pain during menstruation in women;
- spinal cord injury;
- damage (twisting) 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. Being the center of gravity in upright people, they are exposed to very large loads while walking. Also, there is a lot of pressure on the lower back when a person 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 be of varying intensity and duration - periodic aching low back pain or acute pain syndrome with compressed nerve roots.
Pathologies with low back pain include:
- osteochondrosis;
- intervertebral horizontal protrusions, vertical hernia (Schmorl) and disc protrusion;
- primary and secondary (metastatic) malignant tumors in the bones and soft tissues of the back;
- myositis of the lower back muscles;
- osteomyelitis (an infectious purulent process caused by pathogenic microflora, such as tuberculosis or brucellosis);
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- radiculitis;
- sciatica (damage or irritation of the sciatic nerve);
- deforming spondylosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis and Reiter's syndrome;
- diseases of the sacroiliac and hip joints;
- epiduritis (inflammation of the dura mater of the spinal cord);
- raxiokampis;
- damage to bone structures, muscles and back ligaments;
- Metabolic changes in bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomalacia).
Acute low back pain is often referred to as lumbago (low back pain). Its main causes are vertebral displacement, intervertebral hernias and congenital anomalies of the spine. Low back pain can last from a few hours to a few days and can stop suddenly if the vertebrae are in place.
Pain with kidney disease
Painful low back pain is often accompanied by kidney pathology. It does not change with the position of the body, and increases if a person stands on his feet for a long time. More often it is unilateral and indicates chronic diseases. If you have back pain and have the following symptoms, you should consult a doctor:
- signs of intoxication and general disorders (heartburn, fatigue, etc. );
- swelling of the eyelids and face in the morning;
- urinary disorders (frequent, painful, etc. );
- increase or decrease in blood pressure;
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
- change in urine parameters (very dark, cloudy, with an unpleasant odor, etc. ).
The appearance of blood in the urine and severe back pain are characteristic of the onset of urolithiasis. In this case, painful sensations can be transmitted from the back along the ureter, to the groin area, genitals and the inner surface of the thigh.
Hematuria can also indicate kidney cancer. However, unlike urolithiasis, in most cases, the tumors grow asymptomatically for a long time and the back hurts only in the final stages of the process.
Back pain and pregnancy
During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman's back is under great stress. If the expectant mother has back pain, it may be a physiological phenomenon or a sign of the development or exacerbation of the disease.
Increased load
Any physical activity can cause back pain. Summer work, weight lifting, intensive strength training, etc. may appear later.
Excess weight
Excess weight has a negative effect on the condition of the spine. Each extra kilogram is an extra load for the waist.
Obese people are at increased risk of developing osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias. Obese people are also prone to kidney stones, early onset of osteoporosis and other pathologies that cause back pain.
Other reasons
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 aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.
- Physiology. Prolonged static load in the back, long work on the computer, driving long hours, etc.
In ectopic pregnancies and "acute abdomen", lumbodynia can spread to the lower back.
Types of pain and their causes
When you have back pain in the lower back, sometimes you can't even move. The nature of the pain can change over the course of a day: first there is a dull pain in the lower back, then it becomes sharp, then decreases again. Both can be permanent and do not decrease. At a young age, everything is more easily tolerated than in the elderly, the back always hurts.
In general, pain is a mechanism for recognizing the problems caused by a disease. Pain reveals a hidden problem, so it plays a big role. But, of course, you can't stand it. You should 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 open and stable in cancer patients with metastases to the spine or their underlying tumor lesion.
Acute pain
Acute back pain can signal a serious problem that requires proactive tactics. The following pathologies apply to it:
- spinal 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. );
- Movement of stones with ICD or gallstone disease;
- compressed nerves;
- acute circulatory disorders in the posterior vessels;
- acute pyelonephritis.
If a pregnant woman feels severe back pain, she should see a doctor immediately. Parents with severe back pain are obliged to see a pediatrician.
Severe pain
If you are worried about severe back pain and taking analgesics does not help, you should consult a doctor.
Painful aches
Painful back pain is often thought to be the result of muscle fatigue. This is a misconception. Sometimes the spine hurts with severe pathologies of the small pelvic organs (prostate cancer in men and uterine cancer in women).
Also, painful sensations of a similar nature are characteristic of slow infectious processes, growing benign formations and hernias. Over time, they intensify, complemented by other symptoms of the disease.
Transferred pain
When the intensity and duration of back pain and lumbodynia are different, the cause may be several, not one pathological. You should make an appointment with a specialist and undergo a thorough examination.
Which doctor should I go to?
If you have back pain, you should first consult a therapist. The doctor will take a medical history, describe back pain in detail, conduct an examination and develop a plan of diagnostic measures. Depending on the results, he will prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist:
- neurologist;
- spinal neurologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurosurgeon.
Diagnostics
If there is pain in the lower back, complex diagnostic measures are prescribed. Laboratory tests, ultrasound examinations, X-ray methods, instrumental examinations, etc.
x-ray
Bone radiography is a simple and cost-effective diagnostic method. With the pathology of the spine, all the existing defects are visible in the pictures. Based on the information obtained, the doctor makes a diagnosis and determines the next tactic to manage a patient with low back pain.
CT scan
Computed tomography is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and strictly according to the indications. The tomograms clearly show bone defects, which cause pain in the lower back.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern highly informative diagnostic method. This allows you to explore any area of the body. With its help, the condition of blood vessels, nerve structures, spinal cord and internal organs is assessed.
Despite its relative safety, it cannot be prescribed to "everyone in a row" with back pain. There are a number of contraindications to the examination.
Possible complications and consequences of pain
If you do not consult a doctor and determine the cause of back pain, the consequences can be serious. One symptom cannot be ignored.
When there is severe back pain, spinal cord injury or acute processes in the abdomen are possible. Ignoring lumbodynia with constricted nerves can lead to permanent loss of sensitivity and motor activity. Low back pain is fraught with serious consequences, such as rupture of internal organs, bleeding, abscesses, sepsis, etc.
First aid for acute pain
If you have severe back pain, call a doctor or ambulance. Before the doctor's visit, the patient needs:
- take a "fit for the waist" posture;
- drink an anesthetic and if there is no effect, repeat the pill after half an hour (put intramuscular injection);
- relieve spasms with medication;
- eliminate possible swelling by drinking a diuretic or herbal tea;
- to improve tissue nutrition by taking a complex vitamin and mineral preparation;
- Lubricate the lower back with ointment or gel.
Sometimes they use folk remedies (horseradish, pepper or nettle tincture). When your back hurts, you should follow a "discharge" diet, excluding any irritants.
How to get rid of back pain?
There are several treatments for back and back pain. However, all of these are either traditional (medical methods) or alternative.
Traditional methods include:
- bed rest;
- drug treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- surgical treatment;
Alternative methods include:
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- yoga classes.
The main purpose of these methods is to alleviate suffering and the golden rule: "Do no harm. "
When you have low back pain, you should first consult a doctor and receive treatment at home based on the established diagnosis and recommendations. Injections, electrical procedures should be taken at a medical facility, and back massage, warming compresses and ointments on the lower back, and taking pills can be taken not only in the clinic, but also at home. Treating yourself and not following the recommendations will only hurt.
Drug treatment
Medical treatment should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the cause of back pain. Self-administration of drugs is not allowed.
Ointments and gels
It is recommended to lubricate the back in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The following types of ointments are distinguished:
- combined, has several effects (eliminate inflammation, relieve pain, heal);
- anti-inflammatory analgesics (containing menthol, lavender and similar substances);
- irritants (plant, animal or synthetic);
- chondroprotectors (to restore and protect cartilage tissue).
If you have lower back pain, but the diagnosis is not clear, you should not use external agents.
Injections
Sometimes back pain is treated with injections. The doctor places an analgesic on the affected area. In some cases, blockade with anesthetics is used.
Physiotherapy
If you have back pain, exercise therapy is almost always recommended. Gymnastics helps to strengthen the lower back muscle frame, improve tissue trophism and lengthen ligaments. The set of exercises is selected individually.
Mass therapy
Low back pain can be effectively relieved with massage therapy. You can consult professionals or do the manipulations yourself. In case of pathology of internal organs and neoplasms, back massage is not possible.
Physiotherapy
If you have back pain, physiotherapy is prescribed for a number of diseases. Physiotherapy is especially effective for osteochondrosis of the spine. They use magnetotherapy, laser therapy, electrophoresis, pulse currents, hirudotherapy and other methods.
Prevention of back pain
If a person has a chronic condition that can cause back pain, prevention will be to prevent exacerbations. In principle, in order to avoid this symptom, it is first necessary to monitor the health of the spine. If you have back pain, these are the preventative measures:
- active lifestyle;
- daily gymnastics;
- a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals;
- adequate physical activity for the back;
- exclusion of lower back injuries;
- lack of stress;
- treatment of foci of infection.
Annual preventive examinations are of great importance for the timely detection of existing health problems and the prevention of back pain.