Pain in the lower back, whether constant or recurring, can not only cause discomfort, but also make a person's life completely unbearable.People suffering from severe back pain not only lose the opportunity to engage in sports, for example, or physical labor - they often find it difficult to even just walk, stand or sit, which means that the most ordinary daily activities become a real test for them.Therefore, if a person experiences back pain in the lumbar region, it is very important to understand the cause of this disease in time and start appropriate treatment to avoid more serious health problems.
The main cause of pain
Discomfort and unpleasant sensations in the lower back that occur from time to time are often associated not with a specific disease, but with the effects of adverse factors on the human body.We talk about:
- sedentary work, for example, long periods of time behind the wheel or in the office in front of a computer;
- excessive physical activity;
- prolonged stress;
- intense training in the gym that does not suit one's ability;
- improper diet that leads to a lack of vitamins and microelements;
- poor quality mattress and so on.
In children, back discomfort is most often associated with incorrect posture, incorrectly selected study chairs and tables, as well as backpacks and shoes.Excess body weight can also trigger pain in people of any age, especially if extra pounds have appeared in a short period of time.
The main thing is that by eliminating the influence of the above factors, you can quickly get rid of lower back problems and return to your normal lifestyle.
However, if the lower back bothers you regularly, and even more so if the intensity of the sensation increases each time, there is a high probability that it is caused by a more serious reason.All diseases that can cause back pain can be divided into 2 groups: the first includes problems with the musculoskeletal system, and the second includes various internal organ pathologies.
Lower back pain as the main symptom appears when:
- lumbar osteochondrosis;
- osteoporosis;
- intervertebral disc protrusion;
- intervertebral hernia;
- spondylosis;
- curvature of the spine (scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis);
- arthritis;
- spinal tuberculosis;
- myositis;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- sciatica.
This group also includes congenital anomalies of the spinal structure, as well as previous injuries.
If the pain in the lumbar region is of a reflected nature, that is, associated with disturbances in the function of nearby internal organs, the patient may be diagnosed with:
- urolithiasis;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis;
- hemorrhoids;
- chlamydia;
- colitis;
- liver disease;
- kidney pathology;
- benign neoplasm or cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.
Unpleasant sensations in the lumbar region can also be a residual phenomenon after a cold, flu or severe sore throat, as well as as a result of frequent and prolonged constipation.
In women, the lower back often hurts for natural reasons related to the processes taking place in their body.We are talking about discomfort and disturbing pain during PMS and during menstruation itself, menopause or pregnancy.In the second case, discomfort in the back often haunts the expectant mother throughout the 9 months, increasing as the fetus grows and the load on the spine increases.
Pathological causes in women are most often associated with infectious processes in the vagina (candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis), inflammation of the appendages or inner lining of the uterus (endometriosis), the formation of polyps or ovarian tumors, as well as uterine contractions after abortion.In addition, in pregnant women, severe pain in the lower back may indicate the threat of premature birth or miscarriage.
Pain and its causes in men, in addition to all the above diseases, can be associated with inflammation of the epididymis or prostate gland.For example, with epididymitis, localized discomfort especially in the groin area can spread to the lower back, and with prostatitis, in addition to discomfort in the anus, back pain on the right side often radiates to the legs and buttocks.
Types of pain
Unpleasant sensations that arise in the lumbar region vary in nature, intensity and duration.Pain can be sharp and sharp or nagging and aching, barely noticeable or painful, paroxysmal or continuous.Only by understanding what a person actually feels can you understand what causes this sensation and how to eliminate its cause.
For example, severe pain that haunts a person almost 24 hours a day may indicate osteochondrosis.Patients with this disease find it difficult not only to lift weights or walk, but also to sit, cough or sneeze.Accompanies severe pain and radiculitis, which affects not only the lower back, but also the hips, buttocks and legs.At the same time, discomfort and unpleasant sensations are increasing, you just need to try to change your body position or walk.
Acute pain in the lower back in most cases indicates muscle tension, excessive sudden movement, excessive physical exercise, injury, hypothermia or long stay in an uncomfortable position.In this case, the patient experiences what is called "lumbago", which feels like an electric shock.Pain is characteristic, first of all, of the inflammatory process in the muscles.Often, they are accompanied by stiffness in movement, which causes the patient to give up any manifestation of activity and remain in bed for several days.
Periodic pain can be caused by abnormal physical activity, uncomfortable body position while working or sleeping, as well as pathology of some internal organs.They disappear completely as soon as the source is identified and eliminated.If the cause of poor health is not found in time, and the disease manages to gain momentum, the discomfort associated with it can become chronic.We are talking about inflammatory processes or degenerative changes in bone and cartilage structures, damage to nerve fibers and blood circulation disorders in the leg vessels.
There is also a difference between local and general pain.With the first, discomfort is felt in one specific place in the lumbar region or just spreads to nearby areas, such as the buttocks or thighs.In the second case, the pain syndrome covers the entire back, pelvic area and legs, including feet and fingers.
When can you not do without medical help?
The first thing you should do if you feel discomfort and pain in your back is just relax a little.It is possible that the cause of this sensation lies in normal fatigue, endless stress and anxiety, or a generally uncomfortable office chair at work.But if the pain does not subside or, after disappearing for a while, returns again, there is no point in delaying consultation with a specialist.Moreover, if it spreads simultaneously to the lower back, hips, legs and feet or is accompanied by a loss of sensitivity in these areas.A good reason to visit a doctor is also the trauma you experienced - not only a serious car accident, but also a seemingly trivial fall on your back during icy conditions.In any case, if severe back pain does not subside for 2-3 days in a row, delaying going to the doctor is dangerous to your health.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to other alarming symptoms that indicate secondary causes of back pain related to the pathology of internal organs:
- Rapid and unexplained weight loss, without intense diet or exercise.In combination with frequent back pain, a sudden decrease in body weight raises the suspicion that the patient has a malignant tumor.
- Recent infectious diseases of the bladder and kidneys.Discomfort in the lumbar region in such patients may indicate the development of pyelonephritis.
- Increased pain after rest or in the morning.Considered one of the signs of ankylosing spondylitis.
- Body temperature rises, fever.
- Decreased skin sensitivity, as well as problems urinating and defecating, which may be due to damage to the spinal cord.
Consultation with a doctor for pain and discomfort in the lower back is mandatory for patients over the age of 50 because there is a high risk of osteoporosis at this age, especially in women during menopause, and under the age of 20.In addition, any discomfort in the back should not be ignored after an injury, no matter how long ago it happened, if there are serious changes in the blood test and if the traditional treatment used in such cases has proven ineffective.
Who can help?
There are so many reasons that can cause a person to experience discomfort and pain in the lumbar region that it can be quite difficult to know which specialist is best to seek help from.First of all, you need to visit a therapist, but if the pain occurs after a fall or blow, the patient should also consult a traumatologist.The therapist, after conducting an initial examination and collecting anamnesis, usually refers the patient to a neurologist or a rheumatologist to prescribe the tests and further examinations necessary to make a diagnosis.
If there are accompanying symptoms, the patient can be referred for additional consultation to a specialist.For example, a man with pain radiating not only to the lower back, but also to the groin area, should be examined by a urologist to make a final diagnosis, and a woman suspected of having a vaginal infection should definitely visit a gynecologist.
Diagnostic and treatment methods
Only a qualified specialist can accurately determine how to treat lower back pain, make a final diagnosis after tests and examinations.The most common diagnostic methods used in this case are radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Using X-rays, you can detect violations of the spinal structure, see signs of inflammation and compressed nerve endings.CT provides a more detailed picture, allowing you to practically look deep into the spine and study existing pathologies in detail, and with the help of MRI you can assess the condition of the spinal cord, blood vessels, muscles and identify possible intervertebral hernias.
In addition, the patient can be referred for a general blood test, which allows the level of leukocytes to identify inflammation or infection, and based on severe anemia, the assumption can be made that the patient has a benign tumor or cancer.Also, for lower back pain, a urine test is often needed to rule out possible kidney disease.
After receiving all the necessary results, the doctor chooses the optimal treatment option, which can be conservative or surgical.Surgical intervention is used only as a last resort, so treatment, as a rule, comes to drug therapy, special gymnastics, massage, physiotherapy and, if desired, the use of traditional medicinal recipes to improve the patient's condition without the risk of serious side effects.
First of all, emphasis is placed on pain relief to alleviate the patient's condition and continue exercise therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures.In most cases, pain in the lumbar region is effectively treated with conventional analgesics, but if necessary, the patient is also given narcotic drugs to cope with acute attacks.
In addition to tablets, to relieve pain and discomfort in the back, injections and topical preparations are also used - gels and ointments, which not only relieve discomfort, but also relieve inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area.In severe cases, the patient may be given a block - an injection of painkillers injected directly into the deep tissue.
The next stage of treatment is to reduce inflammation, for which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.If necessary, muscle relaxants are prescribed in parallel, relieving both pain and muscle spasms, chondroprotectors, restoring damaged cartilage tissue, and B vitamins, strengthening the protective functions of the body.In addition, if the back pain is not associated with spinal pathology, but is caused by an infection, for example, affecting the kidneys or genitals, there is a need to take antibiotics.
A specially designed set of physical exercises is another mandatory component in the treatment of lower back pain.When done regularly, you can not only get rid of discomfort and muscle tension in the back, but also slow down the inflammatory process by increasing blood supply to the affected area.
A professional massage course, which must be prescribed to the patient after pain relief, helps warm the muscles and relieve spasms, activates blood circulation and improves the patient's overall condition.In addition, physical procedures are also effective in overcoming pain: electrophoresis, UHF therapy, ultrasound treatment, laser therapy, mud baths, acupuncture.In parallel, you can also use drugs based on traditional medicinal recipes - they serve as an excellent addition to drug treatment, effectively relieving pain, muscle tension and swelling without the risk of adverse consequences.
Prevention of back pain also plays an important role, allowing you to avoid many health problems.Regular physical exercise, even in the form of regular morning exercises that strengthen and strengthen the muscles, adherence to a drinking regimen, a balanced diet that provides the body with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and microelements and, of course, regular examinations by specialists that will help identify and eliminate possible problems without waiting until they start to pose a serious threat to a person can protect the lower back from discomfort.