According to statistics, about 80% of people living on the planet have back problems. For possible reasons, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention - read the article.
Everyone has experienced low back pain at least from time to time. But if it used to happen in older people, today the pain in the lumbar spine often worries young people. Acute or painful, lasting only a few minutes or bothering a person for weeks or even months - back pain - can occur as a result of various causes. Often a person gets used to his condition. Unpleasant sensations become a part of life. But a visit to the doctor is still delayed, thus reducing the chances of recovery.
Causes of low back pain - what you need to know
- More often the cause of low back pain lies in degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine - joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, periarticular muscles.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthritis, osteoporosis, bulging and intervertebral disc herniation - these and other diseases of the spine, acquired over time, are always accompanied by painful manifestations. At the same time, it is important to determine the causes that led to these violations. There are a dozen theories about the origin of these diseases. Being overweight has a negative effect on the spine, as a result of which the vertebrae experience increased stress, which leads to premature wear and tear. Poor posture or incorrect body position during work will lead to muscle strain, as a result - pinching of nerves, displacement of the vertebrae. In case of sudden overload of the muscles, lifting weights or unsuccessful movement, sprains and microtraumas are inevitable.
- However,back pain may be secondaryand is not necessarily associated with spinal pathology.The cause may be an infectious process. For example, in brucellosis, damage to the vertebrae leads to sclerotic changes and the appearance of osteophytes (growths) that compress nerve tissue. In tuberculosis, the vertebral bodies are destroyed. In osteomyelitis, due to the accumulation of purulent contents, the structures of the spine are compressed. In any case, there is pain in the lumbar spine.
- Tumors(osteoblastoma, myeloma, osteosarcoma, spinal metastases, etc. ) - benign or malignant, usually accompanied by lumbar pain of varying intensity, not subject to analgesics.
- One of the common causes of back pain is numerousdiseases of the internal organs.Rheumatoid arthritis,ankylosing spondylitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, appendicitis, prostate disease, and bowel and even lung problems.
5 common causes of back pain
The back can rightly be called an indicator of the condition of the body. Almost every problem in the body is accompanied by pain. Lumbar pain can be of a very different nature: painful or acute, appearing after sleep or prolonged stay in one position. 
Often a sudden shooting pain makes it impossible for a person to move. The intensity of the painful manifestations depends on the cause of the origin of the pain. The most common are:
1. Lumbago, also called lumbago
This is one of the most common types of back pain. It occurs during physical exertion or awkward body position. Although it can happen for no apparent reason. The burning and bursting pain does not allow the person to stand up. When you try to change the position of the body, even when you cough, the sensations only intensify. Acute pain can last from minutes to hours or even days, but in some cases it can stop suddenly.
2. Sciatica (sciatic nerve neuralgia, lumbosacral radiculitis)
Sciatica is manifested by shooting pain, tingling, numbness. The pain often spreads along the sciatic nerve to the buttocks, along the back of the leg. The sensations can be so intense that one cannot sit, walk or bend over.
3. Low back pain with osteochondrosis
This is the most common type. More often it grows gradually and intensifies with each movement, even when sneezing or coughing. In addition, the sensitivity of certain areas in the lower body or legs may be impaired.
4. In case of diseases
Lumbar pain in various diseases is very typical. Sick, dull, it can radiate to the lower abdomen, the area near the navel, to the hypochondria. However, with renal colic, a person experiences very severe pain and urgent medical attention is needed.
5. Muscle spasms
Muscle spasms occur when the case is not in the correct position for a long time. As a result, the mobility of the spine is limited. This triggers the so-called "vicious circle" when back pain is caused by a muscle spasm, which in turn leads to pain again. This condition can last for a long time and causes a lot of tangible suffering to a person.
What to do with acute back pain?
Acute lower back pain occurs in a variety of conditions. Protrusion and intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, lumbago and sciatica, injuries and disorders of spinal circulation. As well as various diseases of the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity. It is almost impossible to determine the cause of painful sensations yourself, so one should be taken to a specialist.
- If you suspectspinal cord injuryor vertebrae, it is important to restrict movement before the medical team arrives.
- Stretchingmuscles or ligaments. In the first minutes you can apply a cold that will prevent the growth of puffiness and reduce pain.
- For a seizure caused byspinal diseases, you must first take the most comfortable position. Most often a person feels relief by lying on his back on a hard surface with slightly raised legs. If you can't see a doctor right away, you can take a painkiller.
- If back pain is a symptom ofdisease of the internal organs, the patient chooses the most comfortable position for him. It is important to remember that if the cause of low back pain is not known, it is better to refuse warming compresses and ointments. In fact, in the presence of an inflammatory process, they can worsen the situation.
Methods for diagnosing low back pain
There are many conditions in which low back pain occurs. To determine their origin and prescribe treatment, you need medical attention. The reason for their appearance is not always spinal diseases. In this case, the localization of the painful sensations is important. For example, pain in the lower back on the right or left may indicate urological pathologies, intestinal diseases: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, obstruction and others. In some cases, there may be pain in the lower back, such as hepatitis, cholecystitis or taking toxic medicines. If the back hurts below the lower back, then such a localization may indicate diseases of the genital organs, such as the appendages of the uterus in women or the 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 diagnostic methods available today, it is possible to accurately determine the cause of pain in the lumbar spine. X-ray of the lumbosacral spine is the most accessible method of examination, which allows to determine the violation of the structures, the presence of an inflammatory process, osteoporosis and related disorders. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are the most effective diagnostic methods, thanks to the layered image of internal structures, even the smallest disorders can be detected. In addition, a wide variety of laboratory tests may be prescribed, depending on the symptoms.
Treatment of back pain
The patient should be at rest in any situation. However, the tactics of treatment are chosen depending on the disease that caused the pain in the spine.In dystrophic and functional changes, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasm, and drugs that improve nutrition and tissue regeneration are prescribed. The appointment of physiotherapy procedures (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetic therapy), as well as massage, acupuncture and therapeutic exercises are very effective. In some cases, such as hernias or injuries, surgical treatment is indicated.
To reduce pain, relieve excessive tension and muscle spasm, it is recommended to wear a special bandage. It is used as an adjunct to drug therapy for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, trauma and in the postoperative period. But the specialist must choose a model, as different options for corsets are sold.
If lower back pain is a symptom ofdiseases of the internal organs, then the treatment is chosen taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial agents in the presence of an infectious process, surgical treatment - for a tumor, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, etc. . . .
What to do if low back pain occurs?
We are so organized that when health problems occur, we try to get rid of the painful sensations ourselves. Especially in cases when the movement is not limited, the condition does not worsen and after taking the painkiller the pain seems to subside. But you should know that trauma alone is the only cause of back pain that one can relatively accurately determine for oneself. In other cases, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a specialist. But there are situations when emergency medical care is needed immediately:
- inability or limited movement;
- decreased sensitivity in certain parts of the body, tingling in the limbs;
- urinary or fecal incontinence;
- severe pain, fever, nausea, etc.
How to maintain mobility for many years or less for prevention
Many conditions of back pain do not appear suddenly. And serious diseases, accompanied by pain in the lower back, are quite possible to prevent. What is needed for this?
- Treat existing diseases in a timely manner, as well as undergo regular preventive examinations.
- Physical activity should correspond to age, weight, general condition of the body. If it is impossible to avoid lifting weights, the load must be lifted with the back straight. In addition, there are special devices for carrying weights, and you can also use a corset to support your back.
- Straight gait, rejection of the heels, the correct position while working in a sitting position will help to avoid spinal deformities.
- Inaction and poor nutrition will certainly lead to overweight - the main culprit for almost all diseases, including the spine. Adjusting your diet, exercising regularly, swimming in the pool, and even walking in the fresh air will help you avoid many problems. In addition, an active lifestyle is an effective means of dealing with stress - the main problem of modern man. But frequent stressful situations can rightly be called a major risk factor for the development of many pathologies.
Unfortunately, the pursuit of self-medication is ineradicable. Numerous recipes, supposedly miraculous rubbing and widely advertised ointments often prove useless when used uncontrollably. Remember - self-medication is a waste of money and time! By refusing the help of specialists, we risk acquiring an advanced form of the disease. Therefore, if you are concerned about lower back pain, do not delay for later, make an appointment with your doctor!