According to statistics, about 80% of the people living on the planet have back problems. For possible reasons, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention - read the article.
Every person has suffered from low back pain at least occasionally. But while it used to occur in older people, today lumbar pain often bothers young people. Acute or painful, lasting only a couple of minutes or bothering 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 his condition. Unpleasant sensations become part of life. But the visit to the doctor is still delayed, thus reducing the chances of recovery.
Causes of low back pain: what you need to know
- Very often, the cause of low back pain lies in the degenerative-dystrophic changes of the spine: joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, periarticular muscles.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondylarthrosis, osteoporosis, protrusion and herniated intervertebral disc: these and other spinal diseases 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 on 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 wear. Violation of posture or incorrect body position during work will cause muscle overload, as a result: pinching of the nerves, displacement of the vertebrae. With a strong overload of the muscles, when lifting weights or fruitless movements, sprains and microtraumas are inevitable.
- However,back pain may be secondaryand not necessarily associated with a spinal disorder.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 nerve tissues. 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, 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, not amenable to painkillers.
- One of the most common causes of back pain is represented by numerousdiseases of the internal organs.Rheumatoid arthritis,ankylosing spondyloarthritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis, inflammation of the appendages, prostate diseases, as well as problems with the intestines and even the lungs.
5 common causes of back pain
The back can rightly be called an indicator of the state of the body. Almost all problems in the body are accompanied by pain. Lower back pain can be of a very different nature: aching or sharp, which occurs after sleep or prolonged stay in one position. 
A sudden stabbing pain often makes it impossible for a person to move. The intensity of the painful manifestations depends on the cause of the origin of the pain. The most common are:
1. Low back pain, also called low back pain
This is one of the most common types of back pain. It appears with physical exertion or an uncomfortable body position. Although it can occur for no apparent reason. Burning, explosive pain does not allow the person to straighten up. When you try to change your body position, even when you cough, the sensations intensify. The acute pain can last from minutes to hours or even days, but in some cases it can stop suddenly.
2. Sciatica (neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, lumbosacral radiculitis)
Sciatica is manifested by excruciating pain, tingling, numbness. The pain often spreads along the sciatic nerve to the buttock, along the back of the leg. The sensations can be so intense that a person is unable to sit, walk or bend over.
3. Lower back pain with osteochondrosis
This is the most common type. More often it gradually grows and intensifies with any movement, including when sneezing or coughing. Additionally, the sensitivity of some 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 into the lower abdomen, in the area near the navel, into the hypochondrium. However, with renal colic, a person experiences very severe pain and urgent medical attention is needed.
5. Muscle spasms
Muscle spasms appear 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 a muscle spasm, which in turn leads to pain again. This state can persist for a long time and causes quite tangible suffering to a person.
What to do with acute low back pain?
Acute lower back pain occurs in a wide variety of conditions. Protrusion and intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, back pain and sciatica, injuries and disorders of the spinal circulation. In addition to various diseases of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity. It is almost impossible to determine the cause of the appearance of painful sensations on your own, so a person must be taken to a specialist.
- If you suspectof an injury to the spineor vertebrae, it is important to restrict movement before the medical team arrives.
- Stretchingmuscles or ligaments. In the first few minutes, you can apply cold, which will prevent swelling from growing and reduce pain.
- For an attack caused byspinal diseases, you should first take the most comfortable position. Most often, a person feels 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 pain reliever.
- If back pain is a symptom ofinternal diseases, the patient chooses the position that is most comfortable for him. It is important to remember: if the cause of low back pain is not known, it is better to refuse warming compresses and ointments. Indeed, in the presence of an inflammatory process, they can aggravate 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, the help of a doctor is required. 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, lower back pain on the right or left can indicate urological pathologies, intestinal diseases: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, obstruction, etc. In some cases, there may be pain above the lower back, for example, with hepatitis, cholecystitis or taking toxic drugs. If the back hurts under the lower back, such localization may indicate diseases of the genital organs, for example, the appendages of the uterus in women or the prostate in men.
It starts with a visit to a therapist or neurologist who will prescribe the necessary tests. 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 that exist today, it is possible to accurately determine the cause of pain in the lumbar spine. X-ray of the lumbosacral spine is the most accessible method of examination, which allows you 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 at rest in any situation. However, treatment tactics are selected based on the disease that caused the pain in the spine.In case of dystrophic and functional changesin the spine, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasm, as well as drugs that improve nutrition and tissue regeneration are prescribed. The appointment of 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 in addition to drug therapy for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, trauma and in the postoperative period. But a specialist should choose a model, as various options for corsets are on sale.
If low back pain is a symptom ofdiseases of internal organs, the treatment is selected taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial agents in the presence of an infectious process, surgical treatment - in the case of a tumor, obstructionintestinal, appendicitis, etc. . . .
What to do in case of lower back pain?
We are so willing that when health problems appear, we try to get rid of the painful sensations on our own. Especially in cases where movement is not restricted, the condition does not get worse and, after taking the painkiller, the pain appears to subside. But you should be aware that trauma alone is the only cause of back pain that a person can determine relatively accurately independently. In other cases, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a specialist. But there are situations where emergency medical attention is needed immediately:
- inability or limited movement;
- decreased sensation in some 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 some prevention
Many back pain conditions do not appear suddenly. And serious diseases, accompanied by pain in the lower back, are quite possible to prevent. What do you need for this?
- Promptly treat existing diseases and undergo regular preventive examinations.
- Physical activity should correspond to age, weight, general condition of the body. If it is impossible to avoid lifting weights, the load must be lifted while keeping the back straight. In addition, there are special devices for carrying weights and you can also use a sling to support your back.
- Straight gait, heel rejection, correct posture while sitting will help to avoid spinal deformities.
- Inactivity and poor nutrition will surely lead to excess weight, the main culprit of 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 dealing 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 to self-medicate is inextricable. Numerous recipes, supposedly miraculous rubs, and widely advertised ointments often prove useless when used uncontrollably. Remember: self-medication is a waste of time and money! Refusing the help of specialists, we risk acquiring an advanced form of the disease. Therefore, if you are worried about back pain, don't put it off until later, make an appointment with your doctor!