According to statistics, around 80% of the people on the planet have back problems. For possible reasons, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention - read the article.
Everyone has lower back pain at least occasionally. But if it used to occur in the elderly, then today lumbar spine pain often bothers young people. Acute or pain that lasts only a few minutes or bothered a person for weeks or even months - back pain - can occur for a variety of reasons. Often times, a person gets used to their condition. Unpleasant sensations become part of life. However, the doctor's visit is still delayed, which reduces the chances of recovery.
Causes of back pain - what you need to know
- The cause of back pain usually lies in degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine - joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, periarticular muscles.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis, osteoporosis, protrusion and hernia of the intervertebral disc - these and other diseases of the spine acquired over time are always accompanied by painful manifestations. At the same time, it is important to identify the reasons that led to these violations. There are a dozen theories about the origin of these diseases. Obesity has a negative effect on the spine, which puts increased stress on the vertebrae, which leads to premature wear. Posture violation or incorrect posture while working leads to an overload of the muscles, resulting in pinching of the nerves and displacement of the vertebrae. If the muscles are severely overloaded, sprains and microtraumas are inevitable when lifting weights or in unsuccessful movements.
- However, back pain can be secondaryand is not necessarily associated with a pathology of the spine.An infectious process can be the cause. For example, in brucellosis, damage to the vertebrae leads to sclerotic changes and the appearance of osteophytes (growths) that compress the nerve tissue. In tuberculosis, the vertebral bodies are destroyed. With 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, metastasis of the spine, etc. ) - benign or malignant, usually accompanied by pain in the lumbar region of varying intensity, which painkillers are inaccessible.
- One of the most common causes of back pain are numerousdiseases of the internal organs.Rheumatoid arthritis,ankylosing spondyloarthritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, inflammation of the limbs, prostate diseases and problems with the intestines and even the lungs.
5 common causes of back pain
The back can rightly be called an indicator of the state of the body. Almost every problem in the body is accompanied by pain. Lumbar spine pain can be of a completely different nature: painful or acute, after sleeping or after staying in one position for a long time.
Often times, sudden stabbing 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. Appears during physical exertion or uncomfortable posture. Although it can occur for no apparent reason. Burning and bursting pain does not allow the person to straighten up. Trying to change the position of the body will only increase the sensations when you cough. Acute pain can last a few minutes to hours, or even days, but in some cases it can stop suddenly.
2. Sciatica (sciatic nerve neuralgia, lumbosacral radiculitis)
Sciatica manifests itself as sharp pain, tingling, and 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 a person cannot sit, walk, or bend over.
3. Back pain with osteochondrosis
This is the most common type. More often, it grows gradually and intensifies with every movement, including sneezing or coughing. In addition, certain areas in the lower body or legs may be less sensitive.
4. For illnesses
Pain in the lumbar region in various diseases is very characteristic. Painful, dull, it may radiate to the lower abdomen, the area near the navel, in the hypochondrium. However, with renal colic, a person experiences very severe pain and needs urgent medical attention.
5. Muscle cramps
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 what is known as the "vicious circle" when back pain is caused by muscle spasms, which in turn lead to pain. This condition can last for a long time and cause a person noticeable suffering.
What to do with acute back pain?
Acute lower back pain occurs under a variety of conditions. Protrusion and intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, lumbago and sciatica, injuries and disorders of the spinal circulation. As well as various diseases of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity. It is almost impossible to determine the cause of the appearance of painful sensations yourself, so a person must be taken to a specialist.
- If you suspect aspinal injuryor vertebrae, it is important to limit movement before the medical team arrives.
- Stretchingmuscles or ligaments. For the first few minutes, you can apply cold, which will prevent swelling from growing and reduce pain.
- If you have a seizure caused bydiseases of the spine, you should first take the most comfortable position. Most of the time, a person experiences relief when lying on their back on a hard surface with their legs slightly raised. If you can't see a doctor right away, you can take a pain reliever.
- If back pain is a symptom ofinternal illnesses, the patient chooses the most comfortable position for him. It is important to remember that if the cause of back pain is not known, it is better to refuse warming compresses and ointments. Indeed, in the presence of an inflammatory process, they can aggravate the situation.
Methods for diagnosing back pain
There are many conditions that cause lower back pain. To determine its origin and prescribe treatment, you need the help of a doctor. The cause of their occurrence is not always spinal diseases. In this case, the localization of painful sensations is especially important. For example, lower back pain on the right or left can indicate urological pathologies, intestinal diseases: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, obstruction, etc. In some cases, pain over the lower back may occur, e. g. B. with hepatitis, cholecystitis or the use of toxic drugs. If the back hurts below the lower back, such localization may indicate diseases of the genital organs, for example, the appendages of the uterus in women or the prostate in men.
You should first consult a therapist or neurologist who will prescribe the necessary examinations. In some cases, a consultation with a urologist, orthopedic surgeon, traumatologist, infectious disease specialist, and other narrow specialists may be required. Thanks to the diagnostic methods available today, 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 can be used to determine the violation of structures, the presence of an inflammatory process, osteoporosis and related diseases. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are the most effective diagnostic methods. Thanks to the layered image of internal structures, even the smallest violations can be detected. In addition, a wide variety of laboratory tests can be prescribed depending on the symptoms.
Treatment of back pain
The patient should be kept calm in every situation. However, treatment tactics are selected depending on the disease that caused the pain in the spine.For dystrophic and functional changesin the spine, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms, and drugs to improve diet and tissue regeneration are prescribed. The appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetotherapy), as well as massages, acupuncture and therapeutic exercises are very effective. In some cases, such asFor example, hernias or injuries, surgical treatment is indicated.
To relieve pain, excessive tension and muscle cramps, it is recommended to wear a special bandage. It is used as a supplement to drug therapy for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, trauma and in the postoperative period. However, a specialist should decide on a model, as there are different options for corsets.
If lower back pain is a symptom ofdiseases of internal organs, then treatment is selected taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial agents in the presence of an infectious process, surgical treatment - in the case of a tumor, intestinal obstruction, appendicitisetc. . .
What to do when back pain occurs?
We are arranged in such a way that when health problems arise, we try to get rid of painful sensations ourselves. Especially in cases where movement is not restricted, the condition does not worsen and the pain seems to subside after taking the pain reliever. However, you should know that trauma alone is the only cause of back pain that a person can relatively accurately determine on their own. In other cases, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a specialist. However, there are situations when emergency medical care is required immediately:
- Inability or restricted movement;
- decreased sensitivity in certain areas of the body and tingling in the limbs;
- urinary or fecal incontinence;
- severe pain, fever, nausea, etc.
How to maintain mobility for many years or a little about prevention
A lot of back pain doesn't come on suddenly. And serious illnesses associated with lower back pain can be prevented. What is needed for this?
- Treat existing illnesses in good time and undergo regular preventive examinations.
- Physical activity should correspond to the age, weight and general condition of the body. If it is not possible to avoid lifting weights, the load should 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.
- A straight gait, the refusal of the heels, and the correct position during seated work will help avoid spinal deformities.
- Inactivity and poor nutrition certainly lead to obesity - the main culprit in almost all diseases, including the spine. Correcting your diet, exercising regularly, swimming in the pool, or even walking in the fresh air can prevent many problems. In addition, an active lifestyle is an effective way to deal with stress - the main problem facing a modern person. However, frequent stressful situations can rightly be called the main risk factor for the development of many pathologies.
Unfortunately, the urge to self-medicate is ineradicable. Numerous recipes, supposedly miraculous rubbing and widely used ointments often turn out to be useless if used uncontrolled. Remember - self-medication is a waste of time and money! If we refuse the help of specialists, we risk getting an advanced form of the disease. So if you are worried about back pain, don't postpone it until later. Make an appointment with your doctor!