Low back pain of episodic or constant nature often indicates that an inflammatory or degenerative-dystrophic disease is gradually forming in the body. Early diagnosis of this disease can increase the chance of complete recovery. Low back pain may indicate osteochondrosis, hernia, protrusions, infection, or problems with internal organs.
Because the lower back hurts
If a person complains of painful manifestations in the lumbar spine, the doctor initially expresses suspicion of the patient's problems with the musculoskeletal system. Only after the exclusion of such diseases, a thorough examination is performed to assess the condition of the internal organs.
This is because there is a general innervation of the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs with the trunks of nerve tissue. For this reason, the appearance of pain, for example, in the digestive organs, can be given only in the lumbar region. Let us take a closer look at some of the causes of low back pain.
Excessive loads
It is a relatively natural source of back pain. With hard physical work or active sports training, the muscle tissue is exposed to excessive stress. It collects lactic acid, which irritates skeletal muscle tissues. As a result, in addition to the pain, a person notes the appearance of a sufficiently intense burning sensation. Any discomfort disappears after a short break, as lactic acid is excreted by the muscles.
In case of back pain every time during exercise, if their intensity remains unchanged for a few hours, you should consult a doctor. Excessive training, lifting heavy objects often causes the appearance of minor injuries to the discs and vertebrae, the formation of diseases of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.
Osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar stages I, II and III is the main cause of back pain. At an early stage, the patient is concerned about slight discomfort, indicating a small damage to the intervertebral discs.
If the patient during this period turned to a neurologist for help, it is possible to completely cure the disease, as well as partial repair of damaged tissues. Acute, severe pain that increases when bending or twisting the torso indicates severe damage to the structure of the spine.
Against the background of radiological grade II or III of osteochondrosis, the formation of hernias or protrusions is often observed. Because of this, piercing pain occurs and it is also possible to develop serious complications - root syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Gynecological diseases
Lumbar discomfort often bothers women diagnosed with adenitis, an inflammation that affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes at the same time. In addition to pain syndrome, patients experience the appearance of discharge from the genitals, the appearance of problems with conception and abnormalities in the menstrual cycle.
A similar symptomatology is observed with inflammation of the uterine appendages, cyst formation in the ovaries and the formation of polyps in the uterus.
Kidney Disease
Since the kidneys are located right next to the lumbar region, when their function is reduced, a person may feel pain in the lower back. The fact that these paired bean-shaped organs are affected is indicated by a violation of urine function, the appearance of purulent or bloody impurities in the urine, and a deterioration in well-being in general.
Low back pain is often a concern in the presence of such diseases: cystitis (including hemorrhage), glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure.
Baby carriage
This is one of the natural factors that lead to unpleasant manifestations in the lumbar spine. When a woman bears a future baby, the uterus and fetus increase in size, which violates the nerve receptors below.
During the last trimester, the body of the expectant mother begins to produce a special hormone - relaxation. This leads to loosening of the ligaments, the tendons, in order to facilitate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Because of this, the intensity of the pain can increase dramatically.
Endometriosis
This is a common gynecological disease in which the inner tissue of the uterus grows beyond its limits. Endometrial tissue is hypersensitive to the hormones synthesized by the body, therefore, endometriosis manifests itself as monthly bleeding. Because of this, inflammation develops, one of which is pain syndrome, which is transmitted to the lumbar region of the spine.
Menses
Painful manifestations of a moderate nature occur in half of women before menstruation or during bleeding. This pain is quite natural and disappears immediately after the end of the period. Discomfort can also be felt in the lower back.
The pathological etiology of low back pain during menstruation is indicated by the presence of dyspeptic disorders, diarrhea or constipation, frequent headaches and dizziness. In a similar condition, a woman may be diagnosed with algorithmia or menstrual dysfunction.
Breast sizes
The spine in women with large breasts is very loaded. If the mammary glands are not properly distributed, the risk of degenerative destructive processes increases. Women with large breasts often bend over, which contributes to the deterioration of the spine.
Uncomfortable shoes
Painful sensations in the lumbar spine that appear at the end of a working day are a common condition for women who walk in tight high-heeled shoes. This leads to a violation of blood vessels, disorders of blood circulation in the lower extremities and pelvic organs. As a result, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region deteriorates, due to which they are destroyed. The condition is aggravated by increased stress on the spine.
Menopause
During the menopausal period in a woman's body, there is a decrease in the production of estrogen involved in the regulation of recovery processes in the musculoskeletal system. The bone structure loses the ability to fully assimilate the trace elements needed for its restoration. It becomes brittle, which can lead to frequent fractures. Painful manifestations in the lumbar spine during menopause may indicate bone resorption, formation of osteoporosis.
Overweight
Overweight is one of the causes of lumbar spine obstruction. Excess weight increases the load on the intervertebral discs, which leads to an increased risk of microtrauma with further destruction of the vertebral tissues.
A person who is overweight usually does not eat well. His diet is rich in high calorie foods and fresh vegetables and fruits that contain essential trace elements and vitamins are not consumed in sufficient quantities. With increased loads combined with a lack of useful substances, there is a tendency to form osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
Oncology
Changes in the genetic structure of cells lead to a violation of the regulation of their growth and reproduction. As a result, there is abnormal tissue proliferation, tumor formation of benign or malignant character.
Lumbar pain in the spine can occur in the context of a violation of a tumor of sensitive nerve receptors, the spine, soft tissue and circulatory system. Calcium is absorbed in large quantities by the tumor, due to which a deficiency of this substance develops in the bone tissue, which leads to thinning of the bones.
Hypothermia
Skeletal muscles in the lumbar region are often inflamed due to the effect of low temperatures. This leads to the formation of myositis - a disease that manifests itself as a syndrome of local pain in damaged muscles. Its intensity increases significantly during movement and palpation. Against the background of the inflammatory process, there is an increase in muscle tone, which makes the lower back less mobile.
Varieties of pain
An initial diagnosis can be made based on a detailed description of the annoying symptoms. With each disease, the pain manifests itself with different severity, frequency, condition before its appearance.
Severe pain
This pain syndrome is typical of stages II and III of bone osteochondrosis. At this stage, there was significant damage to the intervertebral discs and their damping characteristics were lost. They are not able to mitigate the load during movement, which makes the spinal structure unstable.
This leads to compression of the soft tissues. The intense pain begins to bother even in a still state, growing against the background of turns and turns, loud laughter, coughing and sneezing. In addition, there is a feeling of "geese" and muscle weakness.
Sharp pain
The reason for the appearance of acute pain syndrome is the compression of the receptors in the spinal canal by osteophytes or discs. This is typical for a lumbar attack, which often manifests itself in rheumatic diseases, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, root diseases.
The painful sensations are so intense, penetrating, burning that the patient can not move. Often, a person can not straighten his back for fear of pain.
It is a dull pain
Lumbar pain of a dull, aching and pressing nature is characteristic of diseases of the internal systems, including the urogenital and reproductive organs. Such discomfort may indicate the development of osteochondrosis, vertebral joint, vertebral arthritis.
The pain is not localized, but may radiate to the hips, buttocks and ankles. Often, pain is a sign of a destructive process in the spine or inflammation in the internal system.
Chronic pain
Pain of a constant nature in the lower back indicates the transformation of the disease into years. It is sharp, strong in relapse, radiates to nearby areas of the body. During the recession, slight discomfort occurs during hypothermia, physical exercise, aggravation of other diseases, acute respiratory viral infections.
The pain syndrome increases in the context of bending, rotating the torso, walking up the stairs and walking for a long time.
Diagnostic measures
The disease is diagnosed on the basis of the patient's complaints, visual examination, memory data, the results of organs and laboratory diagnostics. The most informative for detecting problems with the musculoskeletal system is the X-ray examination. In the resulting image, you can see the damaged vertebrae, formed osteophytes (bone formations).
If the doctor suspects the development of a hernia, protrusion, diseases of the internal systems, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and CT. Thanks to these diagnostic methods, it is possible to find out where the disease is located, to assess the degree of progression of inflammation.
The clinical study of blood and urine is mandatory. If systemic disease is suspected (gout, rheumatoid arthritis), a biochemical, serological study is performed.
Which doctor to contact
Often, back pain occurs after injury - subluxation of the vertebrae, severe bruising, damage to the spinal canal. In such a situation, you will need the help of a traumatologist.
You can also see a therapist. Such a doctor can diagnose diseases of the spine, the internal systems. After reviewing the results of the diagnosis, he will determine which close consultation with the specialist (rheumatologist, neurologist or orthopedist) to prescribe further treatment.
First aid
If there is severe acute pain, the victim should be placed on a hard surface in a position where the discomfort becomes less severe. You can lie down with your knees slightly bent and put a wrapped blanket under them. To quickly relieve pain, you can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Therapeutic actions
Analgesics can help relieve back pain. Their effect will not last long if you do not treat the underlying disease properly. Some pathologies of the internal systems are well treated, including oncology. But complete restoration of damaged intervertebral discs and deformed vertebrae in the context of osteochondrosis is impossible. The goal of treatment is to achieve a stable remission, during which the pain in the lumbar spine does not bother.
Medication
First of all, for back pain, it is prescribed to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the form of a tablet or capsule.
In case of oncological diseases, they resort to the help of analgesic drugs. If there is pain due to skeletal muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are indicated.
In the treatment of diseases of the internal systems, analgesics are also prescribed.
Treatment with ointments and gels
Ointments and gels are used to relieve mild to moderate discomfort in the lumbar region. Drugs for external use are also included in therapeutic regimens to reduce the dosage of injections and tablets, to reduce the pharmacological load on the body.
For back pain, the use of external agents from the following groups may be prescribed:
- NSAIDs - have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effects.
- Warming gels and ointments - have analgesic, local irritant and distracting.
- Chondroprotectors in the context of osteochondrosis - have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate disc repair.
Injections
Choosing analgesics, the doctor based on the type of disease, its course, the severity of the pain syndrome. To eliminate the acute pain, they often resort to the help of drug blockers using glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics. The use of hormonal agents is quite harmful to the body, so that such procedures can be performed at most once in 1-3 months.
To eliminate severe pain, NSAIDs are prescribed in the form of injections into the muscle.
Physiotherapy
If a disease has already been diagnosed or to prevent it from developing, experts advise patients to do therapeutic exercise daily. This will help:
- improving blood circulation to the lumbar region.
- strengthen the muscular framework of the back.
- reducing the intensity of pain.
The gym is developed by the treating physician based on the type of disease, the complications that exist and the physical condition of the patient.
Massage therapy
To improve the blood supply and nutrients to the tissues, to normalize the tone of skeletal and smooth muscles, to strengthen the muscles, it is recommended to massage:
- classical;
- point;
- partial?
- canned.
Massage is prescribed both for therapeutic purposes and to prevent the occurrence of deterioration in the chronic course of the pathology.
Heat and cold treatment
The effect on the lumbar spine with heat helps to eliminate pain, but only after the cessation of the acute inflammatory process. For these purposes, a heating pad, heating ointment or gel, bathtub is suitable.
Under the influence of cryotherapy (cold therapy), adaptation systems are activated. At the heart of this physiotherapy process is the body's response to hypothermia of the outer layers of the skin.
Preventive actions
It is possible to avoid the occurrence of lumbar pain by excluding factors that can cause the appearance of the problem. It is essential to stop walking in high heels to minimize the consumption of high calorie foods. Regular sports, swimming and yoga are good precautions.