The back is a complex structure based on the spine. The lumbar spine is made up of five vertebrae, starting from the twentieth from the top. They are the largest among the rest of the vertebrae and downwards, from the first to the fifth lumbar vertebrae, 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 lead to pain and it is worth treating these problems carefully. Pain can be caused by both congenital anomalies 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 that's not the only cause of lower back pain. Some people don't even know why their back is annoying. Many diseases of the internal organs, injuries and physiological conditions are reflected in back pain, and this list includes:
- disease of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- physiological pain during menstruation in women;
- spinal injury;
- injuries (sprains) of the back muscles;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- 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 back muscles. The lumbar vertebrae are affected more often than other parts of the spine. They undergo enormous loads when walking, being the center of gravity in people standing upright. 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 often the first sign of the disease. It can be of varying intensity and duration: periodic aching lower back pain or acute pain syndrome with pinched nerve roots.
Conditions for which back pain include:
- osteochondrosis;
- horizontal intervertebral protrusions, vertical hernia (Schmorl) and disc protrusion;
- primary and secondary (metastatic) malignancies in the bones and soft tissues of the back;
- myositis of the muscles of the lower back;
- osteomyelitis (an infectious purulent process caused by pathogenic microflora, for example, tubercle bacillus or the causative agent of brucellosis);
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- 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 mater of the spinal cord);
- rachiocampi;
- 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 low back pain (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 abruptly cease if the "vertebra is in place".
Pain with kidney disease
Aching lower 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 one-sided and indicates chronic ailments. You need to 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 process of urination (frequent, painful, etc. );
- sudden rise or fall in blood pressure;
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
- change in urine parameters (too dark, cloudy, with an unpleasant odor, etc. ).
The appearance of blood in the urine and severe back pain are characteristic of an attack of urolithiasis. In this case, painful sensations can be given from the back along the ureter, in the groin area, in the genitals and in 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 hurts only in the last stage of the process.
Low back pain and pregnancy
During gestation and childbirth, a woman's lower back experiences tremendous stress. If the expectant mother has back pain, this may be a physiological phenomenon or signal 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.
Excess weight
Excess weight negatively affects the condition of the spine. Each extra kilogram is an additional load on the lower back.
In obese individuals, the risk of developing osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias increases significantly. Obese people are also prone to the formation of kidney stones, the early onset of osteoporosis and other conditions that cause back pain.
Other reasons
Sometimes the 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 inflammations); disorders of the spinal circulation; atherosclerosis or abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- Physiological. Prolonged static load on the back, prolonged computer work, many hours of driving, etc.
Lumbodynia can radiate to the lower back in case of ectopic pregnancy and "acute abdomen".
Types of pain and their causes
When the back hurts in the lumbar region, sometimes a person is not even able to move. The nature of the pain can change within a day: first a dull pain is felt in the lower back, then a sharp one, then subsides again. In addition, it can be constant and does not fade. At a young age, everything is tolerated more easily than in the elderly, when the lower back constantly hurts.
Generally, pain is a mechanism for recognizing the problems caused by a disease. Pain reveals a hidden problem, so it plays a huge role. But, of course, you can't tolerate it. It is necessary to 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 signal a serious problem that requires proactive tactics. The following pathologies apply to her:
- 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 phase.
If a pregnant woman feels that her back is very sore, she should seek medical help immediately. With severe pain in the child's lower back, parents are obliged to show the child to the pediatrician.
Intense pain
If you are concerned about severe back pain and taking pain relievers doesn't help, you should see a doctor.
aching pains
Lower back pain is often thought to be the result of muscle fatigue. This is a misconception. Sometimes the back hurts with severe pathologies of the small pelvis (prostate cancer in men and uterus cancer in women).
In addition, painful sensations of a similar nature are typical of slow infectious processes, the growth of benign formations and hernias. Over time, they intensify, complemented by other signs of the disease.
Displaced pain
When the back hurts and the low back pain is different in intensity and duration, the cause may not be one pathology, but different. You should make an appointment with a specialist and undergo a full examination.
Which doctor should I go to?
If your lower back hurts, first of all you need to 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 their results, he will prescribe a treatment or send a consultation to a narrow specialist:
- neurologist;
- vertebroneurologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurosurgeon.
Diagnostics
When the lower back hurts, diagnostic measures are prescribed overall. Laboratory examinations, ultrasound examinations, X-ray methods, instrumental examinations and others are mandatory.
X-ray
Bone radiography is a simple and inexpensive diagnostic method. With the pathology of the spine, all existing defects are visible in the pictures. Focusing on the obtained data, the doctor makes a diagnosis and is determined with the further tactic of managing a patient who has back pain.
CT scan
Computed tomography is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and strictly according to the indications. Bone defects are clearly visible on the tomograms, which resulted in pain in the lower back.
magnetic resonance
MRI is a highly informative modern 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 is evaluated.
Despite its relative confidence, it cannot be assigned to "everyone in a row" who has back pain. The examination has a number of contraindications.
Possible complications and consequences of pain
If you do not consult a doctor and do not determine the cause of your back pain, the consequences can be serious. A symptom cannot be overlooked.
When the back hurts intensely, spinal injuries or acute processes in the abdomen are possible. Ignoring lumbodynia with pinched nerves can lead to persistent loss of sensation and motor activity. Lower back pain is fraught with serious consequences, such as rupture of internal organs, bleeding, abscesses, sepsis, etc.
First aid for acute pain
In case of acute back pain, call a doctor or an ambulance. Before the doctor arrives, the patient needs:
- assume a "lumbar-friendly" posture;
- drink an anesthetic and, if there is no effect, repeat the pill after half an hour (make an intramuscular injection);
- relieve spasm with medication;
- eliminate possible swelling by drinking a diuretic or herbal tea;
- improve tissue nutrition by taking a complex vitamin and mineral preparation;
- lubricate the lower back with ointment or gel.
Sometimes they use folk methods (tincture of horseradish, pepper or nettle). When your back hurts, you should follow an "unloading" diet, rule out any irritating factors.
How to heal from low back pain?
There are several treatments for back pain and low back pain. But they all refer to traditional (medical methods) or alternative methods.
Traditional methods include:
- bed rest;
- Pharmacological treatment;
- Physiotherapy;
- surgical treatment;
Alternative methods include:
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- yoga classes.
The main goal 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 recommendations received, carry out treatment at home. Injections, electrical procedures must be obtained in a medical institution, and back massage, applying warming compresses and ointments on the lower back and taking pills can be taken not only in the clinic, but also at home . Self-medication and improper adherence to recommendations will only harm.
Pharmacological treatment
Medical treatment should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the cause of the back pain. Self-administration of drugs is unacceptable.
Ointments and gels
Back lubrication is recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The following types of ointments are distinguished:
- combined, with several effects (relieve inflammation, relieve pain, heal);
- anti-inflammatory analgesics (contain menthol, lavender and similar ingredients);
- irritants (vegetable, animal or synthetic);
- chondroprotectors (to restore and protect cartilage tissue).
If the lower back hurts, but the diagnosis has not been clarified, then you should not use external agents.
injections
Sometimes back pain is treated with injections. The doctor injects an analgesic into the affected area. In some situations, blockade with anesthetics is used.
Physiotherapy
When the back hurts, physical therapy is almost always recommended. Gymnastics helps strengthen the muscle structure of the lower back, improve tissue trophism, and stretch ligaments. The set of exercises is selected individually.
Massage therapy
Low back pain can be effectively eliminated with massage therapy. You can turn to professionals or carry out 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 a number of diseases. Physiotherapy is particularly effective for lumbar osteochondrosis. They use magnetotherapy, laser treatment, electrophoresis, impulse currents, hirudotherapy and other techniques.
Back pain prevention
If a person has a chronic condition that can cause back pain, prevention will be preventing exacerbations. In order that, in principle, this symptom does not occur, it is first necessary to monitor the health of the spine. If your back hurts, preventive measures are:
- active lifestyle;
- daily gymnastics;
- balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals;
- adequate physical activity for the back;
- exclusion of lumbar injuries;
- lack of stress;
- treatment of foci of infection.
Annual preventive examinations are of great importance to promptly identify existing health problems and prevent back pain.