The back is a complex structure based on the spine. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae, starting with the twentieth from the top. They are the largest among the rest of the vertebrae and downward, from the first to the fifth lumbar vertebra, gradually increase in size, since this area has the greatest load. The back in the region of these vertebrae is called the lower back.
Changes in this part of the back cause pain, and are worth treating with care. Pain can be caused by both congenital abnormalities and acquired diseases. These can be the consequences of injuries during intense physical exertion, infections, tumors, hernias, etc.
Causes of back pain
In most cases, low back pain is caused by osteochondrosis. But it is not the only cause of low back pain. Some people don't even know why their back is bothering them. Many internal organ diseases, injuries, and physiological conditions are reflected in back pain, and this list includes:
- kidney and pelvic organ disease;
- physiological pain during menstruation in women;
- spinal injury;
- injuries (sprains) of the back muscles;
- Digestive system diseases;
- 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 the back muscle. The lumbar vertebrae are affected more often than other parts of the spine. They suffer enormous loads when walking, being the center of gravity in upright people. 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 usually the first sign of the disease. It can be of different intensity and duration: periodic low back pain or acute pain syndrome with pinched nerve roots.
The pathologies for which the back hurts include:
- osteochondrosis;
- horizontal intervertebral bulges, vertical herniation (Schmorl) and disc bulge;
- primary and secondary (metastatic) malignant tumors in the bones and soft tissues of the back;
- myositis of the muscles of the lower back;
- osteomyelitis (an infectious purulent process caused by a pathogenic microflora, for example, the tubercle bacillus or the causative agent of brucellosis);
- ankylosing spondyloarthritis;
- 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 of the spinal cord);
- rachiocampsis;
- injuries to bone structures, muscles and ligaments of the back;
- metabolic changes in bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomalacia).
Acute low back pain is often referred to as lumbago (back pain). Its main causes are displacement of the vertebrae, intervertebral hernias and congenital anomalies of the spine. Back pain can last from several hours to several days and disappear abruptly if the "vertebra is in place. "
Pain with kidney disease
Low back pain often accompanies kidney disease. It does not change with the position of the body and increases if a person stands for a long time. More often it is unilateral and indicates chronic ailments. You should see a doctor if your back hurts and you have the following symptoms:
- signs of intoxication and general malaise (chills, fatigue, etc. );
- swelling of the eyelids and face in the morning;
- violation of the urination process (frequent, painful, etc. );
- sudden increase or drop in blood pressure;
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
- changing the parameters of urine (too dark, cloudy, with an unpleasant smell, etc. ).
The appearance of blood in the urine and severe back pain are characteristic of an attack of urolithiasis. In this case, the painful sensations can be given from the back along the ureter, towards the groin area, the genitals and the inner surface of the thigh.
Hematuria can also indicate kidney cancer. But unlike urolithiasis, in most cases, tumors grow asymptomatically for a long time, and the back only hurts in the last stage of the process.
Low back pain and pregnancy
During pregnancy and delivery, a woman's lower back experiences tremendous stress. If the expectant mother has back pain, this 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. It can appear after summer work, weight lifting, intense strength training, etc.
Overweight
Excess weight negatively affects the condition of the spine. Every extra kilogram is an additional load on the lower back.
In obese individuals, the risk of developing osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias increases dramatically. Obese people are also prone to the formation of kidney stones, early onset of osteoporosis and other conditions that cause back pain.
Other reasons
Sometimes your back hurts for other reasons:
- Pathological. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, intestinal tumors, gallstones, etc. ); pathology of the pelvic organs (prostatitis, endometriosis, neoplasms, infections and inflammation); spinal circulation disorders; atherosclerosis or aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.
- Physiological. Prolonged static load on the back, prolonged work on the computer, many hours of driving, etc.
Lumbodynia can radiate to the lower back in ectopic pregnancy and "acute abdomen. "
Types of pain and their causes.
When the back hurts in the lumbar region, a person sometimes cannot even move. The nature of the pain can change in a day: first, a dull ache is felt in the lower back, then a sharp one, and then disappears again. In addition, it can be constant and does not budge. At a young age, everything is more easily tolerated than in the elderly, when the lower back constantly hurts.
Generally, pain is a mechanism for recognizing problems caused by illness. Pain reveals a hidden problem, so it plays a very important role. But of course you cannot tolerate 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 pronounced and constant in cancer patients with metastases to the vertebrae or their primary tumor lesion.
Sharp pains
Acute low back pain can indicate a serious problem that requires proactive tactics. The following pathologies attract you:
- spinal fracture 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. );
- stone movement with ICD or gallstone disease;
- pinched nerves;
- Acute circulatory disorders in the vessels of the back;
- pyelonephritis in the acute stage.
If a pregnant woman feels that her back hurts a lot, she should seek medical help immediately. With severe pain in the lower back of the child, parents are obliged to show the baby to the pediatrician.
Severe pain
If she is concerned about severe back pain and taking pain relievers does not help, she should see a doctor.
Aching pains
Back pain is often believed to be the result of muscle fatigue. This is a misconception. Sometimes her back hurts with serious pathologies of the small pelvis (prostate cancer in men and uterine cancer in women).
Also, painful sensations of a similar nature are typical of slow infectious processes, benign growing formations and hernias. Over time, they intensify, supplemented by other signs of the disease.
Displaced pain
When the back hurts and lumbodynia is different in intensity and duration, the cause may not be one pathology, but several. She must make an appointment with a specialist and undergo a full examination.
Which doctor should I see?
If your lower back hurts, you should first visit a therapist. The doctor will take a history, describe the back pain in detail, conduct an examination, and draw up a plan of diagnostic measures. Depending on your results, you will prescribe a treatment or send a consultation to a limited specialist:
- neurologist;
- vertebroneurologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurosurgeon.
Diagnostics
When the lower back hurts, diagnostic measures are prescribed in the complex. Laboratory tests, ultrasound examinations, X-ray methods, instrumental examinations and others are mandatory.
bone scan
Bone radiography is a simple and affordable diagnostic method. With pathology of the spine, all existing defects are visible on the images. Focusing on the data obtained, the doctor makes a diagnosis and is determined with the additional tactics of managing a patient who has back pain.
Computed tomography
Computed tomography is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and strictly according to the indications. On CT scans, bone defects are clearly visible, leading to lower back pain.
Magnetic resonance
MRI is a modern and highly informative diagnostic method. It allows you to explore any area of the body. With its help, the state of blood vessels, nerve structures, spinal cord and internal organs are evaluated.
Despite its relative safety, it cannot be assigned to "everyone in a row" who has back pain. The test has several contraindications.
Possible complications and consequences of pain.
If you don't see a doctor and determine the cause of your back pain, the consequences can be serious. You cannot neglect a symptom.
When the back hurts intensely, spinal injuries or acute processes in the abdomen may occur. Ignoring lumbodynia with pinched nerves can lead to a persistent loss of sensation and motor activity. Low back pain is fraught with serious consequences, such as internal organ rupture, bleeding, abscess, sepsis, etc.
First aid for acute pain.
If there is severe back pain, call a doctor or an ambulance. Before the arrival of the doctor, the patient needs:
- adopt a "lower back" stance;
- drink an anesthetic, and if there is no effect, repeat the pill after half an hour (give an intramuscular injection);
- relieve spasm with medication;
- eliminate possible swelling by drinking a diuretic or herbal tea;
- improve tissue nutrition by taking a complex preparation of vitamins and minerals;
- lubricate the lower back with ointment or gel.
Sometimes they use folk methods (horseradish, pepper or nettle tincture). When your back hurts, you need to follow a "discharge" diet, exclude any irritating factors.
How to recover from low back pain?
There are several treatments for low back and low back pain. But all are related to traditional (medical methods) or alternative methods.
Traditional methods include:
- bed rest;
- drug treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- Surgical treatment;
Alternative methods include:
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- Yoga classes.
The main objective of these methods is to alleviate suffering and the golden rule: "Do no harm. "
When the back hurts, first of all, it is necessary to consult a doctor and, on the basis of the established diagnosis and the received recommendations, carry out treatment at home. Injections, electrical procedures must be obtained in a medical institution, and back massage, applying hot compresses and ointments to the lower back, and taking pills can be taken not only in the clinic, but also in home. Self-medication and improper adherence to recommendations will only harm.
Treatment with medication
Medical treatment should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the cause of the back pain. Self-administration of pharmaceuticals is unacceptable.
Ointments and gels.
Back lubrication is recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The following types of ointments are distinguished:
- combined, which has various effects (relieve inflammation, relieve pain, heal);
- anti-inflammatory pain relievers (contain menthol, lavender, and similar ingredients);
- irritants (vegetable, animal or synthetic);
- chondroprotectors (to restore and protect cartilage tissue).
If your lower back hurts, but the diagnosis has not been clarified, you should not use external agents.
Injections
Sometimes back pain is treated with injections. The doctor injects a pain reliever into the affected area. In some situations, anesthetic blockade is used.
Physiotherapy
When your back hurts, exercise therapy is almost always recommended. Gymnastics helps to strengthen the muscular structure of the lower back, improves trophism of the tissues and stretches the ligaments. The set of exercises is selected individually.
Masotherapy
Low back pain can be effectively eliminated by massage therapy. You can turn to professionals or perform the manipulations yourself. In case of pathology of internal organs and neoplasms, it is impossible to massage the back.
Physiotherapy
If your back hurts, physiotherapy is prescribed for various diseases. Physiotherapy is especially effective for lumbar osteochondrosis. They use magnetotherapy, laser treatment, electrophoresis, pulse currents, hirudotherapy, and other techniques.
Back pain prevention.
If a person has a chronic condition that can cause back pain, prevention will prevent exacerbations. In order not to find this symptom in principle, the health of the spine must first be monitored. If your back hurts, preventive measures are:
- Active lifestyle;
- daily gymnastics;
- balanced nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals;
- adequate physical activity for the back;
- exclusion of lumbar injuries;
- lack of stress;
- treatment of infection foci.
Annual preventive exams are of great importance to identify existing health problems early and prevent back pain.