Diseases whose symptom is pain in different points of the lumbar region

It is hardly possible to find a person who is not familiar with back pain in the lumbar region.Most often, this problem occurs after a person spends a long time in one position, for example, sitting.According to statistics, about 90% of all people periodically experience pain in the lumbar region.

The problem is faced by both men and women, more often in middle age and old age.Acute pain not only causes discomfort, but also makes you unable to work for a long time.In some cases, a person cannot move and take care of himself fully.

In most cases, pain in the spinal area is caused by inflammatory processes, less often by diseases of internal organs.Unpleasant sensations rarely disappear on their own, so it is important not to miss the alarming symptoms and consult a doctor in time.A timely diagnosis will help avoid serious complications in the future.

Structure of the lumbar region

The lower back is part of the posterior abdominal wall.This is a fairly powerful and durable plexus of muscles designed to protect the spinal cord from damage and injury.The lumbar region is involved in body movement during sports, sitting and walking.The upper edge of the lumbar region is considered the edge of the rib bones, the lower edge runs along the crests of the hip bones.

The members of the department are:

• Five vertebrae;
• Bone structures;
• Ligaments and tendons;
• Muscle tissue;
• Joint capsules;
• Blood vessels.

The spine is cushioned by intervertebral discs.The lumbar region is not only very strong, but also flexible: it offers the possibility of rotational movements, bending and stretching.The spinal cord inside the spine is protected by an arc of processes, the joints of which are responsible for the direction of movements.The muscles of this section ensure a stable position of the body.

Possible foci of inflammation

Acute or periodic pain in the lower back may be the result of inflammatory processes of the internal organs located in the retroperitoneal space.

In the sacrolumbar region, the following tissues and organs are susceptible to inflammation:

1. Skin.Pain in the lumbar region can be caused by pathogens (streptococci, staphylococci).They penetrate the sebaceous and sweat glands, forming a focus of purulent-necrotic inflammation, which gradually spreads to the surrounding tissues (furunculosis).When several glands located next to each other are affected, a carbuncle can form: an accumulation of lymph and inflamed cells, reaching a diameter of several centimeters.If, following a wound or trauma, streptococci penetrate under the skin, pyoderma is formed: painful ulcers form on the surface;
2. Spine.Spinal pain can be caused by non-infectious inflammation of the lumbosacral region and adjacent tissues.This disease is known as ankylosing spondylitis.In this case, the patient feels pain not only in the spine, but also in the muscles.As the disease progresses, it deprives a person of the ability to move normally, and the pain spreads to the hip joints.Less commonly, inflammation of the spine can be a consequence of tuberculosis, brucellosis, or osteomyelitis;
3. Ligaments and muscles.With hypothermia, injuries or a sedentary lifestyle, back pain will be a consequence of inflammatory processes in the muscle tissue and ligaments;
4. Appendix.Often this organ is located behind the cecum;with appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), a person, along with other symptoms, feels acute back pain in the lower back.
5. Kidneys.One of the signs of inflammation of the renal pelvis is severe pain in the lumbar region.

Only a qualified doctor can determine the cause of spinal pain.You should not delay the visit to the doctor, especially for acute inflammation of the appendix: in this case, emergency hospitalization and surgical intervention are necessary.

Causes of back pain

What can cause back pain?Modern medicine distinguishes between primary and secondary causes of spinal pain.In the first case various pathologies of the spine are implicated, in the second case diseases of the internal organs occur.

No less important are the predisposing factors, the presence of which can provoke the development of the disease:

• A special specificity of regular activity is heavy physical work, professional sports;
• Forced stay in one position for a long time: working at the computer, studying;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Poor nutrition - consumption of large quantities of fatty and sweet foods in the absence of cereals, vegetables and dairy products;
• Tobacco and alcohol abuse;
• Very overweight.

It is important to reduce or eliminate risk factors whenever possible;this will not only avoid spinal problems, but will also improve your overall health.

The main causes of pain are spinal pathologies.This is how various degenerative-dystrophic processes present in this part of the body are called;the following diseases belong to this category:

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis- a disease associated with dystrophic changes in the cartilage and intervertebral discs.The structure of the tissue gradually changes, this leads to compression of the nerves and continuous tension in the back muscles.Against the background of osteochondrosis, hernias and protrusions develop, the pain becomes unbearable over time;
2. Spondyloarthrosis- deformation of the cartilage, due to which they lose elasticity.Over time the articular surfaces of the vertebrae become exposed and the joint capsules become inflamed;
3. Spondylolisthesis- displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other.Because of this, the lumen of the spinal canal changes, the spinal roots are damaged, and aching pain occurs in the lower back.

Secondary causes of pain are factors resulting from the development of pathologies of internal organs.In this situation there can be several diagnoses:

1. Metabolic disorders.Due to a severe deficiency of vitamins and minerals, bones and joints lose elasticity and collapse;
2. Malignant formations, located near the spinal column.Severe pain in this case is caused by metastases penetrating the intervertebral space;
3. Infectious diseases- purulent cystitis, spondylitis, epiduritis;
4. Spinal curvature- scoliosis, kyphosis;
5. Various wounds- vertebral fractures, sprains, displacements;
6. Psychogenic disorders.Pain in this case occurs due to disturbances in brain activity (for example, after a stroke);
7. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract- for example, intestinal obstruction;
8. Pelvic organ diseases- Inflammation of the appendages or ovaries, sexually transmitted diseases in advanced stages.

Women are probably familiar with back pain caused by physiological processes, such as menstruation.

Pregnant women also complain of discomfort: the increased load on the spine is felt with periodic pains, which intensify as the due date approaches.

Manifestations of lower back pain

Low back pain can manifest itself in several ways.Painful sensations are classified according to their severity and frequency.Aching pain for a long time is called low back pain.

Sudden, sharp pain that occurs over a relatively short period of time is low back pain.The pain may be recurrent and occur from time to time, for example after intense physical exertion or overwork.

Pain that occurs in the sacrolumbar region due to mechanical stress has the following symptoms:

1. It occurs most often in the afternoon, after an intense workout or other unusual physical activity.Unpleasant sensations disappear completely after adequate rest.Pain of this nature is observed in middle-aged and elderly people;
2. Inflammatory pain, on the contrary, appears more acute in the first half of the day.They often decrease or disappear completely after physical activity or taking painkillers.Characteristic of young people.

The localization of pain also depends on the structure of existing lesions:

• Local pain in the lower back appears after damage to certain areas of the spine.Painful sensations are usually not too pronounced, they are constant, and with a change in body position the pain can intensify or disappear;
• Pain resulting from inflammation of internal organs (reflex).The deep pain is constant and can radiate to the pelvic area and hip joints;
• Irritation of the spinal nerve roots causes pronounced pain that can spread along the periphery, up to the toes;
• Pain caused by abdominal muscle spasms (fibromyalgia) is characterized by aching pain and cramps.

If the patient feels severe acute pain in the spine, in no case should you self-medicate and postpone a visit to the doctor.

Diagnostics

What to do if your lower back hurts?Depending on the cause of the discomfort, the patient may need to consult one or more doctors:

• Therapist- if acute appendicitis is suspected;
• Surgeon- if the existence of inflammatory processes in the internal organs and intestinal obstruction is suspected.The doctor carefully palpates the abdominal cavity for dense, painful areas and performs a general blood test;
• Rheumatologist- for the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.The doctor takes into account the specific symptoms of the disease, prescribes an x-ray or MRI and examines a general blood test;
• Neurologist- if myositis or osteochondrosis is suspected.The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound examination, a general blood test and an electromyography (a method that allows you to evaluate the extent of muscle damage);
• Dermatologist- for skin lesions caused by the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.The doctor makes a diagnosis after visual inspection of the damaged area of the skin and bacterial culture;
• Traumatologist- if you have had bruises or spinal injuries.The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound or computed tomography;
• Orthopedic- for scoliosis, kyphosis and congenital anomalies of the spine.The diagnosis is usually made during adolescence;
• infectious disease specialist- if brucellosis is suspected.To detect the pathogen, a general blood test and bacteriological culture are performed;
• Nephrologist- for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis.When making a diagnosis, the results of a general blood test, urinalysis, ultrasound and urography (examination of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract) are taken into account.

Because there are many causes of lower back pain, it can be difficult for a doctor to make a diagnosis based on one test or study.

Most often, an integrated approach is practiced, which includes several types of diagnostic procedures, each of which has certain requirements:

1. X-ray imagesthe lumbar spine should be performed in direct and lateral projections.In rare cases, examination in a flexed position may be necessary;
2. Computed tomography methodit is considered more effective because it allows you to see existing hernias and spinal lesions.This study is rarely performed because the patient receives a large dose of X-ray radiation;
3. magnetic resonance imaging(magnetic resonance imaging) accurately shows the condition of the intervertebral discs, processes and joint tissue.It is carried out in conjunction with the medical examination and other diagnostic procedures;
4. Radioisotope scanningcarried out to detect malignant tumors.The method involves the introduction of a radioisotopic substance into the blood.After a while, the substance is localized in the tumor area, the focus is detected using a special scanner;
5. Densitometry— allows you to detect changes in the bone tissue of the spine, indicating the presence of osteoporosis at an early stage;
6. General blood testcarried out to diagnose inflammatory processes that cause low back pain.With its help, it is possible to timely identify a number of serious diseases.

Modern diagnostic methods allow you to quickly and accurately determine the cause of back pain.

It is important to describe in detail and accurately to the doctor the existing symptoms of the disease, not forgetting to mention existing lesions, congenital pathologies and previous diseases (if any).

Treatment

Back pain in the lumbar region: how to treat?If discomfort occurs after a bruise or sprain, cold will help relieve the condition.This will not only reduce pain but also prevent swelling.

It is also recommended to minimize the load on the spine and take any of the available painkillers.If you suspect a serious injury - a fracture or sprain - you should call an ambulance immediately.

Pharmacological treatment

Severe pain in the lumbar region requires the use of medications and therapeutic exercises.Drugs are administered in several ways:

• Subcutaneous injections (injections into places where the pain is localized);
• Taking medications in the form of tablets;
• Rub ointments, gels, and pain-relieving solutions into your skin.

Treatment should be supplemented by gymnastics (if the pain is not associated with injury) and the diagnosis of the disease that caused the lower back pain.

Physiotherapy treatment

This treatment is prescribed after the pain has been relieved by medications.Physiotherapeutic procedures activate tissue metabolism, accelerate tissue regeneration and stop further destruction of bone and joint tissue.

The list of procedures is as follows:

1. Electrophoresis.Provides rapid delivery of the medicinal solution to the pain areas.The procedure looks like this: cotton pads soaked in a medicinal solution are applied to the lower back.On the upper part there are special plates fixed which emit discharges of electric current.Under the influence of pulses, the solution penetrates the area of inflammation;
2. Ultrasound treatment.Sound waves of a special range stimulate blood circulation in the sacrolumbar region.Damaged areas receive maximum nutrients and molecular oxygen.The result of the procedures is the increase in metabolism and the relief of the patient's condition;
3. Laser therapy.This method is used to treat destructive changes in the spine.Radiation in the infrared range activates the blood flow to the cartilage and joints, promotes the elimination of waste and toxins from the body;
4. Magnetotherapy.Under the influence of magnetic waves, blood circulation is stimulated in the damaged areas of the spine, pain decreases or disappears completely.

Physiotherapy will be effective only in combination with drug treatment, therefore the procedures will need to be agreed with the treating doctor.

Traditional methods of treatment

To get rid of pain in the lower back, traditional healers offer many recipes based on medicinal herbs.You can often find recommendations for increasing the volume of liquid you drink: all types of decoctions help remove waste and toxins that are formed as a result of inflammatory processes from the body.

Many medicinal herbs contain biologically active substances that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic effects.

To relieve back pain, medicinal decoctions, compresses and ointments can be used.Here are some popular recipes:

• Pour boiling water over lingonberry leaves, calendula flowers and St. John's wort in equal proportions and leave for half an hour.Drink the infusion throughout the day in small portions;
• Dried rose hips, juniper and blueberries (a handful of each type of berry) are placed in a thermos and filled with boiling water.Take half a glass half an hour before meals;
• Dissolve 2 tablespoons of pharmaceutical alcohol and 100 grams of petroleum jelly in one hundred grams of honey, use as a compress before sleeping.

It is important to remember that treatment with traditional methods is only indicated in cases of mild low back pain.Inflammatory processes accompanied by acute pain require treatment in a hospital setting.

A set of therapeutic measures is prescribed individually;the doctor selects the optimal treatment strategy based on the cause of the low back pain, existing symptoms and the patient's age.

Prevention

No one is immune from back pain.It is completely impossible to avoid the natural wear and tear of bones and joints.However, it is quite possible to avoid serious spinal problems;you just need to follow a few simple rules:

1. Do not neglect physical activity: hiking and swimming, exercises to strengthen the back and abdominal cavity;
2. If possible, avoid excessive stress on the spine: do not lift too heavy objects, do not move furniture yourself, etc.;
3. Check your body weight.Excess weight contributes to the destruction of joint and bone tissue;
4. Try walking and sitting up straight.Good posture relieves many spinal problems and prevents the formation of hernias and bumps.

These simple rules will help you not only maintain the health of your spine, but also improve your overall well-being.Any symptoms of diseases associated with the spine - pain, stiffness, tension - cannot be ignored.

Timely and competent treatment will help avoid serious complications in the future.