Back pain: the most common causes of

Back pain, according to statistics, about 80% of people of different age groups face this unpleasant and scary symptom at least once in their lives. At the same time, it is important to be able to distinguish between situations in which painful feelings should bother you and when you should not bother.

Of course, if the onset of pain is preceded by a physical exertion or a small blow, within 2-3 days they will dissipate, there is no cause for concern. But if your back hurts badly, for a long time and the pain is not similar to muscle pain, hurry to see a doctor.

Why my back hurts

The causes of back pain are various, from small external factors to the development of all kinds of pathological processes, of which there are many.

At the same time, doctors are still identifying 3 common reasons that are the most common:

1. Nonspecific pain- combines a number of factors, including muscle pain caused by incorrect behavior, prolonged posture in an (uncomfortable) position, overload due to strainphysical excess in the spine and spine. . . This point may also include painful sensations that arose after hypothermia, in such cases they say - "cold back".
2. Radiation pain- are somewhat less common, but they can not be ruled out. This includes diseases of the internal organs located in other parts of the body. For example, the formation of tumors and pulmonary tuberculosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart and others. In each of these cases, the pain may radiate to different parts of the spine.
3. Mechanical injuries and pathologies of the spine- back pain also occurs due to a large number of factors, we are talking about pathological processes. These include any disease of the spine, starting with injuries (bruising, fractures, and so on) and ending with osteochondrosis, radiculitis, hernia formation and other pathologies of the spinal region affecting the spine.

These are the main causes of back pain, summarized. All of these problems threaten serious spinal dysfunction and require a mandatory visit to a doctor.

In some cases, without adequate treatment, there is a risk of developing serious problems that threaten serious complications. If the tissues of the spine or spinal cord are affected, there is a risk of paralysis of the limbs or even the whole body.

Symptoms

In order to consult a doctor in a timely manner and accurately describe your complaints to him, you need to have an idea of ​​the symptoms.

At the same time, the symptoms of back pain may vary slightly, and if we consider the fact that pain in itself is a symptom, we must highlight its main manifestations, which vary in nature and location:

• By nature, painful sensations are: sharp, dull, stabbing, cutting, pain, pulling, burning, etc.
• Painful feelings are strong, moderate and weak, these indicators are individual for each person. However, they should be considered, for example, when prescribing treatments for chronic back pain.
• Back pain along the entire spine is quite rare. Most often, painful sensations are either as points, or are assigned to a specific part of the spine (cervix, chest, lumbar).
• However, it also happens that the pain in the upper part of the spine (or any other) radiates. In this case, the pain syndrome affects other parts of the back, often called weave.
• As a rule, acute back pain is more uncomfortable and affects more daily life, but is often wavy and easier to treat. At the same time, dull pains are less intense, but they are constantly present, adjusted for a longer period, and respond worse to therapy.

These are general guidelines for painful sensations in different areas of the back. But in addition to understanding the general symptoms of pain, it is also important to know that depending on the disease, the clinical picture may change. So in one case, the pain is felt between the vertebrae of the cervical spine, in another case it is localized in the lumbar region and has a different character.

Therefore, it is worth considering the symptoms of various pathological processes associated with back pain, separately.

Osteochondrosis

If your back hurts in the spine, the most likely diagnosis will be osteochondrosis, as this disease is more common than others. It is also important to understand that doctors distinguish three types of osteochondrosis: cervical, thoracic and lumbar.

In each of these cases, the pain between the vertebrae is related to different parts of the spine. The disease itself means the destruction of cartilage tissue in the intervertebral discs, while the pathological process also occurs in the vertebrae, because due to the reduction of the gap between them, they are deleted.

The main symptom of the disease is pain, but clinical signs from the nervous system may also be present, as the spinal cord is most likely to be affected, its roots being damaged.

Mioziti

A rare disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the muscular tissues of the body, including the back. Most often myositis is accompanied by pain, but sharp pain or so-called back pain is also possible.

The pain syndrome is localized directly to the site where the muscle tissue is inflamed, but the pain may radiate to nearby areas.

Spondylosis

If your back hurts, spondylosis can be one of the possible causes. This pathology is characterized by the growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae, as well as their dystrophic changes. In this case, painful sensations appear during physical exertion due to a long stay in one position, for example, during sitting work.

Shiatiku

The term indicates a constriction of the sciatic nerve with its further inflammation. The pathological process is accompanied by incisions, stings, sharp pains. With sciatica, the pains are not felt constantly, they arise suddenly, roll in waves.

Severe pain with sciatic nerve pain directly at the site of the injury or inflammation. However, due to the fact that the sciatic nerve has a very long length, painful sensations are present in different areas, most often the legs are injured.

Osteoporosis

The disease develops due to lack of calcium in the body. As a result, bone tissue along the entire spine loses elasticity and stiffness, microtrauma and cracks form everywhere.

In this pathological process, the whole back hurts, especially in the later stages of the disease.

Disc hernium

Acute and severe back pain may be evidence of a disc herniation. At the same time, the pain syndrome is constant, but increases with physical exertion, bending, coughing, sudden or careless movements.

In most cases, a hernia forms in the lumbar spine, which is explained by the vulnerability of this area to excessive loads, weight lifting. A hernia often occurs as a complication of osteochondrosis, which is due to the peculiarities of the course of this pathology.

In this case, a hernia is dangerous not only from pain, there is a risk of numbness of the nerve branches of the spinal cord and the development of neurological symptoms.

Excessive spinal mobility

This problem is otherwise called vertebral hypermobility or spinal instability. A clear sign of pathology are painful sensations that intensify with intense physical exertion and weight lifting. Painful sensations in the back are of an unstable nature, they either subside, and suddenly reappear.

The most affected is the cervical spine, if the disease progresses, it becomes difficult for a person to hold the head.

Scoliosis

Surprisingly, curvature of the spine is a direct cause of pain. One of the most common problems is scoliosis. Pain in scoliosis is more muscular in nature. This is due to the increased stress on certain muscles in the spine while others are relaxed.

In scoliosis, due to curvature of the spine, the individual vertebral discs are compressed and the cartilage tissues are deformed.

Painful sensations with scoliosis are constant, painful or attractive, their intensity is low, in rare cases the pain is strong and sharp.

Spinal cord injury

Of course, any mechanical damage, even minor, is painful. In this case, the pain is stronger, the damage more severe, and sometimes, even with a seemingly insignificant injury, acute pain is felt, which may indicate severe internal damage. In this case, strokes, wounds, sprains, dislocations are considered, but fractures are the most severe type of injury.

It is worth noting that old injuries, long healed, make themselves felt decades later. So back and neck pain can remind you of falling on the ice as a child.

Bechterev's disease

This dangerous disease is otherwise called ankylosing spondylitis. The pathology is characterized by a chronic inflammatory process in the joints, in other words, inflammation of the spine.

Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with severe pain and the intensity of the pain syndrome is high from the beginning of the pathological process and intensifies only in the future. In this case, the pain intensifies after rest and depends on the change of weather, but they are well controlled by NSAID group drugs and physiotherapy.

Oncological diseases

Cancer is the most dangerous pathology, a clear sign of which is pain. In this case, the pain syndrome appears in both benign and malignant neoplasms, if they are located not far from the spine and put pressure on them.

Metastases are an even more dangerous manifestation of oncology. In this case, the pains are constant and strong, they follow a person always and everywhere, regardless of body position or any action. The back hurts just as badly when you lie down.

Kidney disease

The causes of low back pain are not always related to back problems. Due to the anatomical location of the kidneys, the pathologies that affect them also respond to severe pain in the lumbar spine.

Pain can be dull, pulling or sharp, their intensity varies depending on the disease and the degree of its progression.

Here it is important to understand that painful sensations can be on both sides or only on one side, which indicates which kidney is involved in the pathological process.

Cardiovascular pathology

The idea that in diseases of the cardiovascular system, pain occurs exclusively in the chest region is wrong. For example, with ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, painful sensations girdle, radiation to the back in the chest region. They are characterized as sharp, stinging and occur suddenly.

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system include aneurysms of the aortic sections, in which a sharp sharp pain occurs near the spine in the thoracic region.

Digestive tract pathology

Digestive tract diseases also often provoke back pain, however, in such cases there are always a number of clinical distinguishing signs. In addition to pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or diarrhea, and general malaise are present.

Infections

Among the infectious diseases associated with back pain, the most severe and dangerous is bone tuberculosis. The disease is accompanied by severe pathological processes in the bone tissue, the entire spine hurts. The pains are different in nature, sometimes attractive, sometimes knives, but always constant.

Respiratory diseases

The lungs occupy most of the thoracic region of the body; therefore, pulmonary pathologies are often associated with back pain. Among such diseases are pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, pleurisy, etc.

With such pathologies, the pain intensifies during coughing, sneezing, deep breathing, boredom. In addition, the clinical picture is enriched by cough, shortness of breath and other similar symptoms.

Congenital pathologies

The factor of congenital anomalies is extremely rare, but it does happen anyway. In this case, the main doubts fall on the congenital excess or insufficient number of vertebrae in the spine. This affects the muscles and ligaments, the structure of the body, threatens spinal extension or compression, which is invariably accompanied by pain.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Pregnancy is also one of the causes of painful back symptoms.

Back pain and other problems of a similar nature occur more often in the third trimester, which depends entirely on the growth of the fetus and the increased load on the back.

In such cases, the pain is usually dull, appealing, they subside or disappear temporarily after a short break when the expectant mother lies down.

Inflammatory processes

Many different inflammatory processes lead to the development of pain syndrome, some of which we have already discussed. Take spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis). This pathology begins in the lumbosacral region, then inflammation, and with it the aching pain, increases in the spine.

Radiating pain in the spine

As mentioned at the beginning, there is a class of pain called radiation. This means that back pain "gives" the spine from other parts or organs in which the disease is raging. Let’s talk about such pains in more detail.

Pathologies of the heart and large vessels

The most likely diseases of the cardiovascular system, accompanied by back pain, were mentioned earlier. It is only important to understand that in addition to pain, such pathologies are associated with violations of blood pressure, arrhythmia and pale skin, this is their distinguishing feature.

Diseases of the gallbladder

The clearest example of such a pathological process is cholecystitis, which leads to radiation of pain in the area of ​​the right shoulder and the central part of the back in the chest region.

The acute form of the disease is associated with severe incisions, while the chronic one is more difficult to diagnose, as the pain is permanent and of low intensity.

Pancreatic lesions

The most common disease of the pancreas is pancreatitis. The clinical sign of such a condition is abdominal pain, but they are also peripheral, characterized as sharp, stinging. However, in addition to pain, the patient suffers from nausea, vomiting, and painful sensations appear after eating fatty, sweet, and fried foods.

Pathology of the kidneys and upper urinary tract

Kidney and urinary tract diseases are also associated with pain, and are usually intense. Severe pain occurs during urolithiasis, but they are felt not only in the lumbar region. There is severe discomfort in the lower abdomen and groin.

Diagnosis

As can be seen from the large list of possible problems and diseases, to eliminate back and spine pain, it is necessary to identify the main main cause of its occurrence.

To do this, you should definitely consult a doctor and make a complete differential diagnosis, which includes:

• Radiographyis ​​a simple but quite effective way to determine the condition of the spine, allowing the detection of various deformities and pathologies.
• CT- computed tomography more accurately detects pathologies of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.
• MRI- magnetic resonance imaging is an even more advanced and effective diagnostic method that will show not only possible problems in the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, but also make it possible to identify or excludeof nerve involvement in the pathological process, spinal cord.

If the above surveys have not yielded any results, please contact specialists with a narrow profile in other areas. Perhaps the problem lies in diseases of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, pelvic organs, etc.

How to treat back pain

Treatment of acute back pain requires a comprehensive and systematic approach. The methods of warfare become clear after a thorough examination and an accurate diagnosis. It is also important to understand that in case of problems of this nature, it is necessary to contact a specialist, self-medication is not at all unacceptable.

The attending physician will determine the treatment regimen, which is likely to include medication, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, and a course of massage.

Physiotherapy

ones is one of the main methods of treating pathologies involving the spine.

Treatment for back pain includes the following procedures:

• Electrophoresis.
• Ultrasound exposure.
• Laser therapy;
• Magnetotherapy.

Treatment is performed in a period of 7-10 procedures or more, the intervals between procedures are 3-5 days.

Gymnastics

Physiotherapy and gymnastics are also included in the treatment of pain syndrome, however, these techniques are mainly used for healing when there is no stronger pain. Gymnastics is necessary to restore muscle elasticity, mobility, to keep them in good condition and to accelerate healing from back injuries.

important it is important to conduct the first sessions with a physiotherapist, who will correct the methodology and distribute the load, teach you how to do it correctly. In the future, classes are conducted at home, and most importantly, requirements are a systematic approach.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy is the essence of all treatment. Each medication is prescribed by a physician based on the diagnostic data obtained. The technique depends on the intensity of the pain syndrome, the stage of disease progression.

The following medications are needed for back pain:

• NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - prescribed in the form of oils, tablets, injections, sometimes in the form of suppositories. NSAIDs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and lower local temperature.
• Analgesicsare pain relievers that block the nerve centers responsible for recognizing pain.
• Muscle relaxantsare administered in cases where muscle spasm needs to be eliminated.

• Vitamin complexes,including B vitamins. Their effect contributes to the restoration of nerve fibers and the creation of metabolic processes.

The duration of drug therapy, the frequency of drug use, and the dosage are determined by the physician.

Massage

Massage course is another effective method to get rid of pain. Appointed when painful sensations subside, performed exclusively by a narrow specialist.

Massage therapy can stimulate blood circulation, relieve pain, restore nasal and muscle elasticity, etc. To achieve a tangible effect, a course of massage, consisting of at least 10 sessions, is required.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of developing pathologies that cause back pain or to reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease, you should follow simple preventive recommendations:

• Eliminate bad habits.
• Eat well, eat less junk food, switch to a fractional food system.
• Live an active lifestyle, play sports, preferably swimming or some form of exercise.
• useful it is useful to hang the back on the horizontal bar at least 3-4 times a week.
• When you sit down, take a break to warm up.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity and injury.
• If it is impossible to avoid lifting weights, do everything correctly, lift heavy things with a straight back.
• Sleep in a moderately firm bed, buy an orthopedic mattress.

Remember, if the pain persists for more than 4-5 days, or if the pain is so severe that it is difficult to tolerate, see your doctor immediately. Timely treatment allows you to save health and avoid many dangerous complications.