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 experienced back pain at least occasionally. But if it used to happen to older people, then today back pain often bothers young people. Acute or aching pain that lasts only a few minutes or bothers a person for weeks or even months - back pain - can occur as a result of a number of reasons. Often a person gets used to his condition. Unpleasant feelings become part of life. But a visit to the doctor is still delayed, thus reducing the chances of recovery.
Causes of low back pain - what you need to know
- Most often the cause of low back pain lies in degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine - joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, periarticular muscles. Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthritis, osteoporosis, elongation and intervertebral disc herniation - these and other spinal diseases acquired over time are always accompanied by painful manifestations. In doing so, it is important to determine the reasons that led to these violations. There are a dozen theories about the origin of these diseases. Excess weight has a negative effect on the spine, as a result of which the vertebrae experience increased stress, which leads to premature consumption. Violation of behavior or improper body position during work will cause muscle overload, as a result - tightening of nerves, displacement of the vertebrae. With a sharp muscle overload, when lifting weights or unsuccessful movements, sprains and microtraumas are inevitable.
- However,back pain may be secondary, and not necessarily associated with a spinal pathology.An infectious process may be the cause. For example, in brucellosis, damage to the vertebrae leads to sclerotic changes and the appearance of osteophytes (growths) that compress nerve tissue. With 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, the pain appears in the lumbar spine.
- Tumors(osteoblastoma, myeloma, osteosarcoma, spinal metastasis, etc. ) - benign or malignant, usually accompanied by pain in the lumbar region of varying intensity, not suitable forpain relievers.
- One of the most common causes of back pain is multiple diseasesof internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, inflammation of the appendix, prostate disease, and intestinal and even lung problems.
5 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. Low back pain can be of a very different nature: painful or acute, appearing after sleep or prolonged stay in one position.
Often, the sudden pain of shooting makes it impossible for a person to move. The intensity of painful manifestations depends on the cause of the pain. The most common are:
1. Lumbago, otherwise called lumbago
This is one of the most common types of back pain. Appears with physical exertion or difficult body position. Although it can happen for no apparent reason. Burning and bursting of pain does not allow the person to be directed. When you try to change the position of the body, even when you cough, the sensations only intensify. Acute pain can last from 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 sensation, 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 is unable to sit, walk or bend over.
3. Pain in the lower back with osteochondrosis
This is the most common type. Most often it gradually increases and intensifies with each movement, even when you sneeze or cough. In addition, the sensitivity of certain areas on the lower body or legs may be impaired.
4. In case of diseases
Pain in the lumbar region in various diseases is very characteristic. Pain, dull in nature, can give the lower abdomen, the area near the navel, the hypochondrium. However, with kidney colic, a person experiences very severe pain and needs urgent medical attention.
5. Muscle spasms
Muscle spasms occur when the case is not in the right position for a long time. As a result, spinal mobility is limited. This causes the so-called "vicious circle", when back pain is caused by muscle spasm, which, in turn, again leads to pain. This condition can go on for a long time and cause quite tangible suffering to a person.
What to do with acute back pain?
Acute low back pain occurs in a wide variety of conditions. Intervertebral protrusion and hernia, osteochondrosis, lumbago and sciatica, spinal cord injury and disorders. As well as various diseases of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity. Almost it is almost impossible to determine for yourself the cause of the appearance of painful sensations, so a person should be referred to a specialist.
- If you suspect aspinal cord injuryor vertebrae, it is important to restrict movement before the medical team arrives.
- Stretchmuscles or ligaments. In the first minutes, you can apply cold, which will prevent the swelling from increasing and the bitterness from decreasing.
- For a crisis caused byspinal diseases, first, you need to take the most comfortable position. Most often, a person experiences relief by lying on his back on a firm surface with his legs slightly raised. If you can not see a doctor right away, you can get a pain reliever.
- If back pain is a symptom of internal diseases, the patient chooses the most comfortable position for him. Importers It is important to remember that if the cause of low back pain is not known, it is better to refuse heating compresses and oils. Indeed, in the presence of an inflammatory process, they can worsen the situation.
Methods for diagnosing low back pain
There are many conditions in which low back pain occurs. To determine their origin and prescribe treatment, you need the help of a doctor. The cause of their appearance is not always spinal diseases. In this case, the localization of painful sensations is important, first of all. For example, low back pain on the right or left may indicate urological pathology, intestinal diseases: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, obstruction, etc. In some cases, there may be pain in the lower back, for example, with hepatitis, cholecystitis or taking toxic medications. If the back hurts below the lower back, then such a localization may indicate genital disease, for example, uterine appendages in women or prostate gland in men.
Start with a visit to 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 close specialists. Thanks to diagnostic methods that exist today, it is possible to determine the cause of pain in the lumbar region with high accuracy. X-rays of the lumbosacral spine are the most accessible method of examination, which allows to determine the violation of structures, the presence of an inflammatory process, osteoporosis and related disorders. 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 for back pain
The patient should be kept calm in any situation. However, treatment tactics are chosen depending on the disease that caused the back pain.In case of dystrophic and functional changesin the spine, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant drugs are prescribed to relieve muscle spasm, as well as drugs that improve nutrition and tissue regeneration. The appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetotherapy), as well as massages, acupuncture and therapeutic exercises are very effective. In some cases, such as hernias or injuries, surgical treatment is indicated.
To reduce pain, to relieve excessive tension and muscle spasm, it is recommended to wear a special bandage. It is used as an adjunct to drug therapy for osteochondrosis, sciatica, trauma and in the postoperative period. But a specialist should choose a model, as different options for corsets are on sale.
If back pain is a symptom ofdiseases of the internal organs, then treatment is chosen taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial agents in the presence of an infectious process, surgical treatment - in case of atumor, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, etc. . . .
What to do if back pain occurs?
We are so regulated that when health problems arise, we try to get rid of the painful feelings ourselves. Especially in cases where movement is not restricted, 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 relatively accurate person can determine on their own. In other cases, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a specialist. But there are situations when urgent medical attention is needed:
- disability or limited mobility;
- decreases sensitivity in certain parts of the body, tingling sensation in the limbs;
- urinary or fecal incontinence;
- severe pain, fever, nausea, etc.
How to maintain mobility for many years, or a little for prevention
Many back pain conditions do not appear suddenly. And serious diseases associated with soreness in the lower back 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, general body condition. If it is impossible to avoid lifting weights, then the load should be lifted keeping 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, heel rejection, correct position while sitting work will help avoid spinal deformities.
- Passivity and poor diet will certainly lead to excess weight - the main culprit of almost all diseases, including the spine. Correcting your diet, regular exercise, swimming in the pool, and even walking in the fresh air will help you avoid many problems. In addition, an active lifestyle is an effective tool to deal 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 desire to self-medicate is incurable. Numerous recipes, supposedly wonderful rubs and widely advertised oils often turn out to be useless when used uncontrollably. Remember - self-medication is a waste of money and time! By refusing the help of specialists, we risk acquiring an advanced form of the disease. Therefore, if you are worried about low back pain, do not postpone it, make an appointment with your doctor!