The back is a complex structure based on the spine. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae, starting with the 20th from the top. They are the largest among the rest of the vertebrae and towards the bottom, from the first to the fifth lumbar vertebrae, gradually increase in size, because this area is the most loaded. The back in the region of these vertebrae is called the lower back.
Changes in this part of the back cause pain and it is worth treating these issues with care. Pain can be caused by both birth defects 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 it is not the only cause of lower back pain. Some people don't even know why their back is inconvenient. Many diseases of the internal organs, injuries, and physiological conditions result in back pain, and this list includes:
- kidney and pelvic organ disease;
- physiological pain during menstruation in women;
- Injury of the spine;
- 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 experience enormous loads when walking, being the center of gravity of standing people. In addition, 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 vary in intensity and duration - periodic aching lower back pain or acute pain syndrome with pinched nerve roots.
Pathologies for which back pain include:
- osteochondrosis;
- horizontal intervertebral protrusions, vertical hernia (Schmorl) and disc protrusion;
- primary and secondary (metastatic) malignant tumors 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 joints and the hip;
- epiduritis (inflammation of the dura of the spinal cord);
- rachiocampsis;
- injuries to bone structures, muscles and ligaments of the back;
- metabolic changes in bone tissue (osteoporosis, osteomalacia).
Acute low back pain is often called lumbago (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 stop suddenly if the "vertebra is in place".
Pain with kidney disease
Often painful lower back pain accompanies kidney pathology. It does not change with the position of the body and increases if a person is standing for a long time. Most often it is one-sided and indicates chronic diseases. You should see a doctor if you have back pain and 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 increase or drop in blood pressure;
- nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
- change urine parameters (too dark, cloudy, with an unpleasant odor, etc. ).
The appearance of blood in the urine and severe back pain are hallmarks of an attack of urolithiasis. In this case, painful sensations can be transmitted from the back along the ureter, in the groin area, the genitals and 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 at 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 future mother has back pain, it can 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 muscle training, etc.
Overweight
Excess weight negatively affects the condition of the spine. Each additional kilogram is an additional load on the lower back.
In obese people, the risk of developing osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias increases dramatically. 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 inflammation); spinal circulation disorders; atherosclerosis or aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.
- Physiological. Prolonged static load on the back, prolonged work at the computer, many hours of driving, etc.
Lumbodynia can radiate to the lower back in ectopic pregnancy and "acute abdomen".
Types of pain and their causes
When the back hurts in the lumbar region, sometimes a person is even unable to move. The nature of the pain can change within a day: first, a dull pain in the lower back is felt, then a sharp pain, and 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.
Usually, pain is a mechanism for recognizing problems caused by an illness. Pain reveals a hidden problem, so it plays a huge role. But, of course, you cannot tolerate it. You should 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 appeal 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. );
- movement of stones with ICD or gallstone disease;
- pinched nerves;
- acute circulatory disorders in the vessels of the back;
- pyelonephritis in the acute stage.
If a pregnant woman feels that her back is very painful, she should see a doctor immediately. With severe pain in the child's lower back, parents are forced to show the baby to the pediatrician.
Severe pain
If you are concerned about severe back pain and taking pain relievers will not help, you should see a doctor.
Aching pains
Painful 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 uterine cancer in women).
In addition, painful sensations of a similar nature are typical of slow infectious processes, growing benign formations and hernias. Over time, they intensify, supplemented by other signs of the disease.
Displaced pain
When the back hurts and the lumbodynia is different in intensity and duration, the cause may not be one pathology, but several. You should make an appointment with a specialist and have a full examination.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you have pain in your lower back, you should first see a therapist. The doctor will take a history, describe the back pain in detail, perform an examination, and draw up a plan for diagnostic measures. Depending on their results, he will prescribe a treatment, or will refer to a restricted specialist:
- neurologist;
- vertebroneurologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurosurgeon.
Diagnostic
When the lower back hurts, diagnostic measures are prescribed in the complex. Laboratory tests, ultrasound examinations, x-ray methods, instrumental examinations and the like are mandatory.
x-ray
Bone radiography is a simple and affordable diagnostic method. With the pathology of the spine, all the existing defects are visible in the pictures. By focusing on the data obtained, the doctor makes a diagnosis and is determined with other tactics for managing a patient with back pain.
computed tomography
Computed tomography is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis and strictly according to the indications. On CT scans, bone defects are clearly visible, causing pain in the lower back.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a modern, highly informative diagnostic method. It allows you to explore any area of the body. With its help, the condition of blood vessels, nervous structures, spinal cord and internal organs is assessed.
Despite its relative harmlessness, it cannot be attributed to "everyone in a row" with back pain. The examination has a number of contraindications.
Possible complications and consequences of pain
If you don't see a doctor and determine the cause of the back pain, the consequences can be serious. A symptom cannot be overlooked.
When the back hurts intensely, injury to the spine or acute processes in the abdomen are possible. Ignoring lumbodynia with pinched nerves can lead to persistent loss of feeling and motor activity. Low back pain is fraught with serious consequences, such as ruptured 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:
- adopt a "friendly" posture;
- drink an anesthetic, and if there is no effect, start taking the pill again after half an hour (put an intramuscular injection);
- relieve spasms with medication;
- eliminate possible swelling by drinking a diuretic or herbal tea;
- improve tissue nutrition by taking a complex preparation of vitamins and minerals;
- lubricate the lower back with ointment or gel.
Sometimes they use folk methods (tincture of horseradish, pepper or nettle). When you have back pain, you need to follow a "dump" diet, exclude any irritating factors.
How to recover from low back pain?
There are several treatments for back pain and lower back pain. But they are all linked either to traditional methods (medical methods) or to alternatives.
Traditional methods include:
- bed rest;
- medical treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- surgical treatment;
Alternative methods include:
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- yoga class.
The main objective 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, based on the established diagnosis and the recommendations received, to carry out treatment at home. Injections, electrical procedures should be obtained in a medical facility, and back massage, applying warming compresses and ointments to the lower back, and taking pills can be taken not only in the clinic, but also inthe House. Self-medication and non-compliance with recommendations will only hurt.
Medical treatment
Medical treatment should be prescribed by a doctor depending on the cause of the back pain. Self-administration of pharmaceuticals is unacceptable.
Ointments and gels
Lubrication of the back is recommended for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The following types of ointments are distinguished:
- combined, having several effects (relieving inflammation, relieving pain, healing);
- anti-inflammatory pain relievers (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, you should not use external agents.
Injection
Sometimes back pain is treated with injections. The doctor injects pain reliever into the affected area. In some situations, blockage with anesthetics is used.
Physiotherapy
When the back hurts, exercise therapy is almost always recommended. Gymnastics strengthen the muscular 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 perform the manipulations yourself. In case of pathology of internal organs and neoplasms, it is impossible to massage the back.
Physiotherapy
If you have back pain, physiotherapy is prescribed for a number of diseases. Physiotherapy is particularly effective for osteochondrosis of the lower back. They use magnetotherapy, laser treatment, electrophoresis, pulsed currents, hirudotherapy and other techniques.
Prevention of back pain
If a person has a chronic condition that can cause back pain, prevention will be to prevent exacerbations. In order, in principle, not to encounter this symptom, first of all it is necessary to monitor the health of the spine. If you have back pain, preventive measures are:
- active lifestyle;
- daily gymnastics;
- balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals;
- adequate physical activity for the back;
- exclusion of lower back injuries;
- lack of stress;
- treatment of foci of infection.
Annual preventive examinations are of great importance in order to identify existing health problems in time and to prevent back pain.