Backache

According to medical statistics, about 80% of people suffer from periodic lower back pain.It has a different character: painful, acute, radiating to the lower limbs.Most often, people between the ages of 30 and 55 complain of pain.

There are many causes of pain in the lower back, and not all of them are associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.If discomfort appears regularly and reduces the quality of life, you should visit a doctor who will help you identify the cause.After adequate therapy, it will disappear on its own.As a rule, it is possible to eliminate pain using conservative methods, but in advanced cases, surgical intervention is required.Preventive measures will help maintain back health and prevent pain.

Causes of back pain

The question of why the lower back hurts is quite relevant.The human spinal column is a complex structure consisting of vertebrae, discs between them, spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons).When problems arise with any of these components, back pain appears.Although in some cases discomfort occurs in the lumbar region due to violation of other organs.

Sprain is one of the most common causes of pain in the lower spine.Discomfort occurs when muscles, ligaments, or muscle spasms are damaged.The causes of distortions can be the following human actions:

• Incorrect lifting of an object.
• Weightlifting.
• Sudden movements.

Violation of the structure of the spine is another common reason why the lower back hurts.Low back pain associated with structural problems is often caused by the following diseases:

• Intervertebral disc rupture.When the integrity of the disc is violated, compression on the nerve bundles increases, which manifests itself as pain.
• Protrusion (bulging of a disc between the vertebrae without rupture of the fibrous ring) or intervertebral hernia.Then the pressure on the nerve bundles in the lower segment of the spine increases and severe pain appears in the lower back.
• Sciatica (compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve) often occurs due to protrusion or herniation of the disc.Then the pain spreads from the lower back to the back of the thigh.
• Arthritis of the lumbar region.
• Scoliosis is a disease in which there is a lateral curvature of the spine.
• Compression fractures (injuries to the vertebrae due to compression) of the lower back can also cause severe pain.
• Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone density decreases and the vertebrae become porous.This disease increases the risk of compression fractures.

Also, pain in the lumbar region can be caused by the following reasons:

• Cauda equina syndrome is damage to the nerve bundle that originates from the terminal portion of the spinal cord.Then a dull pain appears in the lower back, upper buttocks, sensitivity in the pelvis is impaired, control over urination and defecation disappears.
• Spinal tumors can compress nerves, causing pain.
• Spinal infections (osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis) cause pain, fever, and hyperthermia in the lower back.
• Infectious diseases, for example cystitis or inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis), also cause pain.
• Shingles is a viral disease that can damage nerve bundles in the lower back.

Also, pain in the upper lumbar region can occur with an atypical course of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Often the discomfort occurs due to sleep disorders or rest on a poor mattress that does not support the spine well.

Daily activities also cause lower back pain:

• Sitting in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
• The person often pushes or pulls something.
• Lifts or carries objects.
• When you stand for a long time, your back also hurts.
• Prolonged bending or frequent turning.
• Excessive tension or overstretching of the lower back muscles.

Strong discomfort in the lower back appears with prolonged tension in the neck, which is directed forward, for example, if a person is sitting at the computer or driving.

Reference.Low back pain is an acute pain that occurs when the back is excessively cooled or subjected to dynamic loads.Low back pain is a painful sensation caused by prolonged static loads.Lumboischialgia is a painful syndrome that spreads from the lower back to the leg due to an intervertebral hernia.

Risk group

Most often, pain in the spine is provoked by the following factors:

• frequent stress;
• pregnancy, which is associated with an enlarged uterus and tension of its ligaments;
• prolonged sitting associated with job characteristics;
• old age and associated changes in the spine;
• mental disorders;
• excessive body weight;
• smoking;
• hard physical work.

Reference.According to statistics, women suffer from back pain more often than men.

The likelihood of lower back pain increases after long-term use of steroids, drug addiction, and in patients aged 30 to 55 years.

Symptoms

If you suffer from back pain, pay attention to the nature of the pain;it can be sharp, dull, aching, burning.Sometimes unpleasant sensations such as tingling and numbness appear.Pain in the lower back can spread to the buttocks, from the back of the leg to the foot.The severity of the pain syndrome also differs: from mild to unbearable, not allowing movement.

Often the patient may experience pain in the lower back due to kidney disease.To determine whether this sensation is caused by a kidney problem, pay close attention to the symptoms.In kidney disease, pain is not associated with physical activity, fever occurs (starting from 37.5°), urination is impaired, and urine becomes cloudy.When you touch the kidney area, severe pain appears.

As mentioned, atypical forms of pancreatitis can also be accompanied by severe pain in the lower back.

With osteochondrosis, aching pain appears, radiating to the legs, intensifies when walking, and sometimes "low back pain" occurs.Over time, the sensitivity of the lower body (buttocks, groin, legs) decreases.The lower extremities freeze rapidly and sweat production is impaired.There is no fever with osteochondrosis.

With neuralgia, pain spreads along the affected nerve.The pain is sharp, burning, appears quickly and suddenly disappears.The color of the skin in the affected area changes, sweating increases during an attack, and the muscles tremble.

You should seek medical help if you suffer from back pain and at least one of the following symptoms:

• weight loss;
• increase in temperature (from 37.5°);
• swelling in the lower back;
• the pain does not decrease even when the patient is lying down;
• the pain radiates to the legs;
• you recently injured your lumbar spine;
• control over urination and defecation is impaired;
• the sensitivity of the groin area, buttocks or legs is impaired.

To understand what exactly is wrong and what the causes of discomfort are, undergo a medical examination.

Diagnostic measures

If your lower back hurts, you need to see a therapist or orthopedist.If you suspect neurological disorders, visit a neurologist.Physiological examination and medical history often help establish the diagnosis.

If injuries, diseases of the spine or other organs or neuralgia are suspected, the doctor prescribes instrumental studies:

• X-ray will help identify lumbar injuries, inflammation of the vertebrae and imbalance of the elements of the spine.
• Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography will show intervertebral hernias, structural disorders of the spine, problems with surrounding tissues (nerves, muscles, blood vessels).
• Bone scans are used to detect bone tumors and compression fractures.During the study, a radioactive drug is used, which is injected into a vein and then accumulates in areas with increased metabolism.
• Electroneuromyography is effective for identifying compression of nerve bundles that occurs on the background of intervertebral hernia or spinal stenosis.This diagnostic method allows you to identify any damage to the neuromuscular system.

If an infectious disease is suspected, the patient will be prescribed laboratory blood tests.

If the doctor suspects that lower back pain is caused by problems with the kidneys, pelvic organs or pancreas, a series of appropriate tests is prescribed.

Conservative treatment

If you don't know how to get rid of back pain, consult a doctor first.With a timely diagnosis, treatment is carried out at home.Over-the-counter pain relievers are used to relieve pain.

Patients should know how to relieve pain if it takes them by surprise.If the discomfort is caused by osteochondrosis, it is necessary to act according to the following plan:

• warm your lower back with a scarf or woolen belt;
• lie down on a hard surface;
• take NSAIDs;
• treat your back with an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Carefully.Do not take NSAIDs if you have problems with the digestive organs, as they damage the mucous membranes.

NSAIDs and antispasmodics will help relieve pain caused by neuralgia.In addition, it is necessary to observe complete rest.If the pain is very severe, the patient must be hospitalized.

If you suffer from back pain caused by kidney disease, you should urgently call an ambulance.The patient should lie down and take antipyretics (antipyretics) and antispasmodics to normalize the temperature.You should check your blood pressure and body temperature whenever possible.Further actions are carried out by the doctor.

Carefully.It is strictly forbidden to use hot compresses or take a hot bath in case of kidney inflammation!

Pain in the lower back due to inflammation of the pancreas (atypical form) is very strong.During an attack, you need to call a doctor.Before the doctors arrive you are not allowed to eat;you need to take a comfortable position and drink water in small sips.It is advisable to have someone close to the patient.The knee-elbow or fetal position will help reduce discomfort.

Regardless of the cause of the pain, the patient should rest for 1 to 2 days.Longer rest risks weakening the muscles, so episodes may recur more often.

Sharp pain in the lower back appears suddenly and lasts up to 12 weeks.Constant pain during the chronic process develops slowly and persists for 3 months or more.Many patients present with both acute and chronic pain, making diagnosis very difficult.

If home treatment for low back pain is ineffective, doctors give patients prescription NSAIDs.Narcotic pain relievers, such as codeine or hydrocodone, relieve severe pain.However, these drugs are used only in extreme cases, and the doctor must monitor the patient's condition.To relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, such as amitriptyline.

Treatment can be supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures.Electrophoresis, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, magnetotherapy, etc.They have an excellent therapeutic effect.These procedures help to accelerate metabolic processes, blood circulation, improve tissue trophism, accelerate the healing of damaged areas and relax spasmodic muscles.

Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen muscles and ligaments, make them more elastic and correct posture.The complex for each patient is compiled by a doctor, taking into account age, symptoms, the cause of pain and general condition.Training should be carried out in the remission phase, when the pain syndrome decreases.With regular exercise, the patient will be able to prevent recurrent attacks.

Cortisone (a synthetic corticosteroid) injections will help relieve pain if the above methods are ineffective.After the procedure, the inflammation decreases and the discomfort disappears.The therapeutic effect lasts 6 weeks.

The following methods can help relieve pain and improve general condition:

• Osteopathy helps to restore the structure of the musculoskeletal system using only the hands of a doctor.
• Chiropractic is a manual technique for correcting spinal defects.
• Acupressure – impact on energy points with the fingers and elbows of a specialist to eliminate discomfort and relax muscles.
• Reflexology is the introduction of special needles into biologically active points of the body.After the operation the production of endorphins is stimulated and the pain decreases.
• Yoga.When performing certain poses and movements, the muscle corset is strengthened and posture improves.However, the exercises must be performed under the guidance of a specialist, otherwise the pain syndrome may intensify.

The decision on how to treat lower back pain is made by the doctor after an accurate diagnosis and identification of the causes of the discomfort.

Surgery

The question of what to do if the lower back constantly hurts for a long time (more than 6 months) is quite relevant.In this case, doctors may prescribe surgery.As a rule, surgical intervention is indicated for intervertebral hernia, especially if the disease is accompanied by neurological disorders (numbness in the groin, legs, involuntary urination, defecation).

The following surgical techniques will help cure serious diseases of the lumbar segment of the spine, which are accompanied by pain:

• Spinal fusion is an operation to fuse two or more adjacent vertebrae, between which an implant is inserted.Unstable elements of the spine are fixed with special fastening materials (metal plates, screws).
• Intervertebral disc replacement.During the procedure, the destroyed disk is removed and an artificial one is installed in its place.
• A discectomy is the removal of part of a disc that compresses a nerve bundle or spinal cord.
• Laminectomy is the removal of a spinal arch that compresses the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord.

There are many other surgical techniques that help stabilize displaced vertebrae, free nerve bundles and other tissues from compression, and restore function to the spine.

Prevention of back pain

To prevent pain in the lumbar region, you need to follow these rules:

• Perform exercises to strengthen muscles and develop flexibility.
• Stop smoking, because people with this bad habit are more likely to suffer from back pain than their non-smoking peers.
• Watch your weight and eat well.
• Observe your posture when standing or sitting.
• If you sit a lot at work, get up every 2 hours and do back exercises.
• Set up your workplace correctly, buy a chair with an orthopedic backrest.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
• When you lift heavy objects, shift your weight from your back to your butt and legs.
• Wear orthopedic shoes.

These rules will help maintain the health of the lower back for a long time.

The most important thing

As you can see, back pain can occur for various reasons: sprains, structural disorders, cancer, infectious diseases of the spine, daily activities, poor posture, etc.The risk group includes patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, perform heavy physical work, are overweight, often suffer from stress or have bad habits.If the pain syndrome is accompanied by fever, back swelling or neurological disorders, you should urgently seek medical attention.Treatment tactics depend on the cause of the discomfort.Conservative methods are most often used.Surgery is prescribed if the pain does not go away for a long time or if neurological disorders are present.Remember that lower back pain is easier to prevent than cure.