Many of us are familiar with lumbar spine pain. It is enough to spend a few minutes in an awkward position and the uncomfortable sensations do not leave for a long time. What causes back pain in the lumbar region? Today we will look at the reasons for them, because often such a symptom is a signal for the development of the disease.
Determine the nature of the pain syndrome
Before we understand the reasons why the back hurts in the lumbar region, let's take a closer look at the classification of pain syndromes. As you know, the human spine has several sections, one of which is the lumbar. This area occupies the interval of the back from the tail to the beginning of the ribs.
Pain syndromes in this spinal segment can occur even after prolonged sitting in an awkward position or strenuous physical activity. If the discomfort disappears immediately, then there is no cause for concern. But what if the attacks of pain come back again and again and over time this condition interferes with life and develops fully?
There is only one way out - contact a doctor. If the pain is not related to an injury, the initial consultation should be referred to a therapist. He will determine which doctor by profession will help you. If the trauma has become a prerequisite for the onset of pain, then you can immediately contact a traumatologist.
Pain syndromes in the lumbar segment of the spine can be of different nature:
- whining;
- binding;
- shooting.
Specialists divide all types of lumbar pain into two broad categories:
- primary;
- secondary.
Primary sensations of pain are diagnosed in cases where pathology develops. This may be due to deformation of the joint or intervertebral tissue, ligaments or tendons.
Secondary pain syndrome occurs in the case of previous injuries or the development of pathological processes associated with a particular disease, such as osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, the appearance of malignant or benign neoplasms.
Learn more about the causes of pain
In medical practice there is a great variety of cases when patients complain of pain in the lumbar segment of the spine. It is practically impossible to diagnose the disease by visual examination, because in nature there are many reasons for the appearance of such symptoms.
Lower back pain may be associated with the development of pathology of the spine or internal organs. Often the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity have pain in the lumbar segment of the spine on the eve or during menstrual bleeding.
What are the causes of acute lower back pain? In fact, there are a huge number of them and it will not be possible to compile an exhaustive list. However, you can choose the main and most common causes of acute pain. These include:
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc;
- hernia between the spinal segments;
- spondyloarthritis;
- osteochondrosis;
- pathology of the urinary system, in particular the presence of stones;
- circulatory dysfunction in the spine;
- intestinal obstruction;
- pyelonephritis, developing in an acute stage;
- uncharacteristic development of inflammatory processes in the appendix;
- stretching;
- violation of the integrity of the spinal segments;
- pathological processes in the tissues of the hip joint.
If the pain syndrome is recurrent, then, perhaps, we are talking about chronic pathologies. Chronic pain attacks in the lumbar segment of the spine can be caused by the influence of the following factors:
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- deforming spondylosis;
- bone diseases;
- osteomyelitis;
- development of neoplasms;
- the appearance of metastases;
- scoliosis;
- development of infectious processes in the spinal segments (epidural abscesses, brucellosis, etc. );
- arthritis;
- spondylitis;
- tumor processes in the kidneys;
- atherosclerosis;
- Reiter's syndromes.
We often encounter the so-called wandering pains in our daily lives. This condition misleads even the treating specialists, because the location of the pain does not correspond to the place of the actual development of the pathology. Doctors call such pains radiating. The reasons for the appearance of such a syndrome in the lumbar segment of the spine can be:
- pathology of the digestive tract;
- diseases of the pancreas;
- inflammatory or infectious processes in the small pelvic organs;
- development of inflammation in the auxiliary part in the fairer sex;
- oncological pathologies of the uterine organ;
- gonorrhea;
- renal colic;
- ulcerative colitis;
- prostatitis;
- ovarian pathology;
- formation of stones in the kidney cavity.
Various causes can provoke left back pain in the lumbar region. Often such localization of pain is determined by the course of inflammatory or infectious processes in the internal organs. If the pain syndrome surrounds both parts of the lumbar segment, this may signal the development of the following diseases:
- hepatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- prostatitis;
- inflammation of the appendages;
- appendicitis;
- pneumonia.
Which doctor should I go to?
As you know, the spine is the most powerful support for our body. If its function is impaired, you should see a doctor immediately. But which doctor should you go to? If you are injured or badly injured, then you can safely go to the traumatologist. The doctor of this specialization will deal with the treatment.
If the pain in the lumbar segment of the spine occurs as a result of the development of the disease and is its main symptom, then first contact the lead therapist. The treating specialist will perform a comprehensive examination and based on the results of ultrasound diagnostics and magnetic resonance imaging will write the appropriate direction.
Depending on the causes of pain in the lumbar segment of the spine, the following specialists can be treated:
- cardiologist;
- obstetrician-gynecologist;
- nephrologist;
- pulmonologist;
- orthopedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- infectious disease specialist.
Before starting a course of treatment, the doctor should take all measures to eliminate the pain and alleviate the patient's condition. For starters, it is recommended to change the sleeping mattress, take antispasmodic or analgesic pharmacological drugs and do gentle gymnastics.
Treatment of the disease: the main aspects
When the back hurts in the lumbar region, only a doctor can determine the true causes of this condition and prescribe a complete and effective treatment. Self-medication will help to eliminate the symptom that has appeared for some time, but later the pain will overwhelm you again with unprecedented force.
The course of treatment is prescribed individually according to the diagnosis. In the initial stage, the patient may be prescribed the use of anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, as well as the use of ointments that have a warming effect.
Treatment can be carried out through physiotherapy procedures, in particular:
- acupuncture;
- laser therapy;
- vacuum therapy;
- manual manipulations;
- electrical stimulation;
- pharmacopuncture.
Pain in the lumbar segment of the spine can not only cause disruption of normal life and the appearance of discomfort, but also provoke the development of complex consequences and serious pathologies. To avoid this, you should immediately seek qualified medical attention and strictly follow all the doctor's prescriptions. Be healthy!