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.
Every person has had low back pain at least occasionally. But if it used to occur in older people, today the pain in the lumbar spine often bothers young people. Acute or painful, lasting only a few minutes or tormenting a person for weeks or even months - back pain - can occur as a result of a variety of reasons. Often a person gets used to their condition. Unpleasant sensations become a part of life. But a visit to the doctor is still delayed, which reduces the chances of recovery.
Causes of low back pain - what you need to know
- The most common causes of low back pain are degenerative-dystrophic changes of the spine - joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, periarticular muscles.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthritis, osteoporosis, protrusions and hernias 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 determine the reasons that led to these violations. There are a dozen theories about the origin of these diseases. Being overweight negatively affects the spine, as a result of which the vertebrae experience increased stress, which leads to premature wear. Violation of posture or improper body position during work will cause excessive muscle strain, which will result in pinching of nerves, movement of the spine. With severe muscle strain, when lifting weights or failing to move, 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 the nerve tissues. With 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, the pain appears in the lumbar spine.
- Tumors(osteoblastoma, myeloma, osteosarcoma, spinal metastases, etc. ) - benign or malignant, usually accompanied by pain in the lumbar region of varying intensity, and not subject to painkillers.
- One of the common causes of back pain is a number ofdiseases of the internal organs.Rheumatoid arthritis,ankylosing spondylitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, appendicitis, prostate disease, as well as bowel and even lung problems.
5 most 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 very different in nature: painful or acute, it appears after sleeping or staying in one position for a long time. 
Sudden shooting pain often prevents a person from moving. The intensity of 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 with physical exertion or uncomfortable body position. Although it can happen for no apparent reason. Burning and shooting pains do not allow the person to stand up straight. When you try to change body position, even when you cough, the feelings only intensify. Acute pain can last from a few 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, stiffness. The pain often spreads along the sciatic nerve to the buttocks, along the back of the leg. Feelings can be so intense that a person cannot sit, walk or bend.
3. Lower back pain with osteochondrosis
This is the most common type. It often grows gradually and intensifies with any movement, even when sneezing or coughing. In addition, the sensitivity of certain areas of the lower body or legs may be impaired.
4. In case of illness
Pain in the lumbar region in various diseases is very characteristic. Painful, dull, can radiate to the lower abdomen, to the area near the navel, to the hypochondrium. However, with renal colic, a person experiences very intense pain and needs urgent medical help.
5. Muscle cramps
Muscle cramps occur when the case is not in the right 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 muscle spasms, which in turn leads to pain. This condition can last for a long time and inflicts quite tangible suffering on 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 independently determine the cause of painful sensations, so the person should be taken to a specialist.
- If you suspect aspinal cord injuryor spine, it is important to restrict movement before the medical team arrives.
- Stretchingmuscles or ligaments. In the first few minutes, you can apply a cold that will prevent the swelling from growing and reduce the pain.
- For an attack caused byspinal diseases, first of all, you should take the most comfortable position. Most often, a person experiences relief by 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 painkiller.
- If back pain is a symptom ofinternal diseases, the patient chooses the most comfortable position for him. It is important to remember that if the cause of lower back pain is not known, it is better to refuse warming pads and ointments. Indeed, in the presence of an inflammatory process, they can make the situation worse.
Methods of 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 cause of their appearance is not always a disease of the spine. In this case, first of all, the localization of painful sensations is important. For example, lower back pain on the right or left side may indicate urological pathologies, intestinal diseases: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, obstruction, etc. In some cases, pain above the lower back may occur, for example, with hepatitis, cholecystitis, or taking toxic medications. If the back hurts below the lower back, then 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 start by visiting 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 precisely determine the cause of pain in the lumbar spine. X-ray of the lumbosacral spine is the most accessible method of examination, which enables the determination of structural violations, the presence of an inflammatory process, osteoporosis and related disorders. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are the most efficient diagnostic methods, thanks to the layered image of internal structures, even the smallest violations can be detected. In addition, a wide range of laboratory tests may be prescribed - depending on the symptoms.
Treatment of back pain
The patient should be kept at rest in any situation. However, treatment tactics are chosen depending on the disease that caused the back pain.In case of dystrophic and functional changeson the spine, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, as well as drugs that improve nutrition and tissue regeneration are prescribed to relieve muscle spasm. Naming physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetotherapy), 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 spasms, 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 expert should choose the model, because there are various options for corsets.
If lower back pain is a symptom ofdisease of internal organs, then the treatment is selected taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial agents in the presence of an infectious process, surgical treatment - for tumors, intestinal obstruction, appendicitisintestines, etc. . . .
What to do if you have lower back pain?
We are so organized that when health problems occur we try to get rid of painful sensations on our own. Especially in cases when the movement is not limited, the condition does not worsen, and after taking the pain reliever, the pain seems to subside. But you should know that trauma alone is the only cause of back pain that a person can determine relatively accurately on their own. In other cases, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a specialist. But there are situations in which 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 a little about prevention
Many conditions of back pain do not appear suddenly. And serious diseases accompanied by lower back pain can be prevented. 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 and general condition of the body. If it is impossible to avoid lifting weights, then the load should be lifted by keeping the back upright. In addition, there are special devices for carrying weights, and you can also use a corset to support your back.
- Straight gait, heel bounce, correct position while working in a sitting position will help avoid spinal deformities.
- Inactivity and poor diet will certainly lead to excess weight - the main culprit for almost all diseases, including the spine. Correcting 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 means of coping with stress - the main problem of a modern person. But frequent stressful situations can rightly be called the main risk factor in the development of many pathologies.
Unfortunately, the urge for self-medication is ineradicable. Numerous recipes, supposedly miraculous rubbing and widely advertised fats often prove useless if used uncontrollably. Remember - self-medication is a waste of money and time! By refusing the help of experts, we run the risk of acquiring an advanced form of the disease. Therefore, if you are worried about lower back pain, do not delay it later, make an appointment with your doctor!