Lower back pain, whether it's persistent or recurring, can not only cause discomfort but can make a person's life truly unbearable.People with severe back pain are not only deprived of the opportunity to engage in physical activity or physical work, but even walking, standing or sitting becomes difficult, meaning that the most ordinary daily activities become a real ordeal for them.Therefore, if a person develops lower back pain, it is extremely important to promptly understand the cause of the condition and begin appropriate treatment to avoid more serious health problems.
Main causes of pain
Waist discomfort and uncomfortable feelings that appear from time to time are often not related to specific diseases, but to the impact of adverse factors on the human body.We are talking about:
- Sedentary work, such as sitting behind the wheel or in front of a computer in the office for long periods of time;
- excessive physical activity;
- prolonged stress;
- Performing high-intensity training in the gym that is inconsistent with personal abilities;
- Poor diet leads to vitamin and trace element deficiencies;
- Mattress quality is poor etc.
In children, back discomfort is often related to incorrect posture, incorrect selection of chairs and study tables, as well as backpacks and shoes.Being overweight can also cause pain in people of any age, especially if the weight gain occurs over a short period of time.
The main thing is that by eliminating the influence of the above factors, you can quickly get rid of waist problems and return to a normal lifestyle.
However, if your lower back is bothering you regularly and the intensity of the sensation increases each time, it's likely that it's caused by something more serious.All diseases that can cause back pain can be divided into two categories: the first includes problems of the musculoskeletal system, and the second includes various pathologies of internal organs.
Lower back pain occurs as a primary symptom in the following conditions:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis;
- Osteoporosis;
- Herniated disc;
- intervertebral hernia;
- Spondylosis;
- Curvature of the spine (scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis);
- arthritis;
- spinal tuberculosis;
- Myositis;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- Sciatica.
This group also includes congenital abnormalities of spinal structures as well as previous injuries.
If the low back pain is reflexive, that is, related to dysfunction of nearby internal organs, the patient may be diagnosed with:
- Urolithiasis;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis;
- hemorrhoid;
- Chlamydia;
- colitis;
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- Benign or cancerous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
Feelings of discomfort in the lower back can also be the lingering effects of a severe cold, flu, or sore throat, as well as the result of frequent and long-term constipation.
For women, lower back pain often occurs for completely natural reasons related to processes occurring in the body.We’re talking about discomfort and constant pain during PMS, as well as menstruation itself, menopause, or pregnancy.In the latter case, back discomfort often plagues the expectant mother throughout nine months and worsens as the fetus grows and the load on the spine increases.
Pathological causes in women are often associated with vaginal infectious processes (candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis), inflammation of the appendages or lining of the uterus (endometriosis), the formation of polyps or ovarian tumors, and uterine contractions after miscarriage.In addition, for pregnant women, severe pain in the lower back may indicate the threat of premature labor or miscarriage.
In addition to all the diseases mentioned above, male pain and its causes can also be related to inflammation of the epididymis or prostate.For example, in epididymitis, the discomfort is mainly concentrated in the groin area and spreads to the lower back, while in prostatitis, in addition to anal discomfort, right back pain often radiates to the legs and buttocks.
type of pain
The unpleasant sensations produced in the lumbar area vary in their nature, intensity and duration.Pain may be sharp and severe, or it may be constant, painful, barely noticeable or excruciating, episodic or constant.Only by knowing exactly what a person is feeling can you understand what causes those feelings and how to eliminate their root causes.
For example, severe pain that bothers a person nearly 24 hours a day may indicate osteochondrosis.People with this disease have difficulty not only lifting weights or walking, but even sitting, coughing, or sneezing.Along with severe pain and radiculitis, it affects not only the lower back but also the buttocks, buttocks and legs.At the same time, discomfort and unpleasant sensations intensify, and you just have to try changing your body posture or walking.
Most of the time, acute pain in the lower back indicates muscle strain, excessively sudden movements, excessive physical exertion, injury, hypothermia, or prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions.In this case, patients experience what is called "low back pain" that feels like an electric shock.First, soreness is characteristic of the inflammatory process in the muscles.Most commonly, they are accompanied by stiffness of movement, so that the patient must give up any performance of activity and stay in bed for several days.
Periodic pain may be caused by abnormal physical activities, uncomfortable positions while working or sleeping, and pathologies of certain internal organs.Once their source is identified and eliminated, they disappear completely.If the causes of poor health are not discovered early and the disease gains momentum, the discomfort associated with it may become chronic.We are talking about inflammatory processes or degenerative changes in the bone and cartilage structures, damage to nerve fibers and circulatory disorders in the blood vessels of the legs.
There is also a difference between localized pain and generalized pain.In the first case, the discomfort may be felt in a specific area of the waist, or it may only spread to nearby areas, such as the buttocks or thighs.In the second case, the pain syndrome covers the entire back, pelvic area and legs, including the feet and fingers.
When can I not go without medical help?
If you are experiencing back discomfort and pain, the first thing you need to do is take a break.The cause of these feelings is most likely plain fatigue, endless stress and worry, or a generally uncomfortable office chair at work.But there’s no point putting off seeing a specialist if the pain doesn’t subside, or if it disappears for a while and then returns again.Also, if it spreads to the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet at the same time or is accompanied by a loss of sensitivity in these areas.A good reason to see a doctor is also a trauma you've sustained—not just a serious car accident, but a seemingly insignificant fall on your back in icy conditions.In any case, if severe lower back pain does not subside for 2-3 days in a row, putting off seeing a doctor can be dangerous to your health.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to other alarming symptoms that indicate secondary causes of low back pain related to lesions of the internal organs:
- Lose weight quickly and effortlessly without dieting or strenuous exercise.Coupled with frequent back pain and rapid weight loss, people suspected that the patient had a malignant tumor.
- Recent infections of the bladder and kidneys.Lumbar discomfort in such patients may indicate pyelonephritis.
- The pain is worse after rest or in the morning.Considered one of the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
- Increased body temperature and fever.
- Decreased skin sensitivity and problems with urination and bowel movements, which may be the result of spinal cord injury.
Patients over the age of 50 must consult a doctor about lower back pain and discomfort, as the risk of osteoporosis is high in this age group, especially menopausal women and women under 20 years of age.Additionally, any discomfort in your back after an injury cannot be ignored, no matter how long ago it occurred, no matter whether there are serious changes in blood tests, and no matter whether traditional treatments are ineffective.
Who can help?
There are many causes of lower back discomfort and pain, so it can be difficult to determine which specialist is best to seek help from.First, you need to see a therapist, but if the pain occurs after a fall or blow, the patient also needs to consult a traumatologist.After the therapist performs an initial examination and collects a history, the patient will usually be referred to a neurologist or rheumatologist for further tests and examinations to make a diagnosis.
If there are accompanying symptoms, patients may be referred to a specialist for additional consultation.For example, a man with pain that radiates not only to his lower back but also to his groin area will need to be examined by a urologist for a final diagnosis, while women who suspect a vaginal infection should definitely see a gynecologist.
Diagnosis and treatment methods
Only a qualified specialist can determine exactly how to treat low back pain and make a final diagnosis after tests and examinations.The most common diagnostic methods in this case are radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.Using X-rays, you can detect if the spinal structures have been violated, looking for signs of inflammation and pinched nerve endings.CT provides more detailed images that allow you to gain an in-depth view of the spine and study existing pathology in detail, and with the help of MRI you can evaluate the condition of the spinal cord, blood vessels, muscles and identify possible intervertebral hernias.
Additionally, patients may be referred for general blood tests to identify inflammation or infection through white blood cell levels, and based on severe anemia, it may be assumed that the patient has a benign or cancerous tumor.Additionally, for low back pain, a urine test is often required to rule out possible kidney disease.
After receiving all necessary results, the doctor will choose the best treatment option, which can be conservative or surgical.Surgical intervention is only used as a last resort, so treatment usually comes down to medication, special gymnastics, massage, physiotherapy and, if necessary, traditional medical formulas to improve the patient's condition without the risk of serious side effects.
First, the focus is on pain relief to alleviate the patient's condition, followed by exercise therapy and physical therapy procedures.In most cases, traditional analgesics are effective in treating lower back pain, but if necessary, patients may also be prescribed narcotics to deal with acute attacks.
In addition to tablets, to eliminate back pain and discomfort, injectables and topical preparations - gels and ointments are available, which not only relieve discomfort, but also relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation in the affected area.In severe cases, patients may be prescribed blockade - an injection of painkillers directly into deep tissue.
The next stage of treatment is to reduce inflammation with NSAIDs.If necessary, muscle relaxants (to relieve pain and muscle spasms), chondroprotectants (to restore damaged cartilage tissue), and B vitamins (to enhance the body's protective functions) can be taken together.Additionally, antibiotics may be needed if the back pain is not related to spinal pathology but is caused by an infection, such as one affecting the kidneys or genitals.
Specially designed physical exercises are another mandatory component of treatment for low back pain.Performed regularly, it not only eliminates back discomfort and muscle tension, but also slows down the inflammatory process by improving blood supply to the affected area.
After pain relief, patients must receive professional massage treatments, which can help warm up muscles, relieve spasms, activate blood circulation, and improve the patient's overall condition.In addition, physical therapy can also effectively deal with pain: electrophoresis, ultra-high frequency therapy, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, mud baths, acupuncture.At the same time, you can also use treatments based on traditional pharmaceutical formulas - they are an excellent complement to medical treatments and can effectively relieve pain, muscle tension and swelling without adverse consequences.
Preventing back pain also plays an important role and can save you from many health problems.Regular physical exercise, even regular morning exercises, strengthens and strengthens the muscles, consistent drinking habits, a balanced diet that provides the body with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and of course regular examinations by a specialist will help to identify and eliminate possible problems without waiting until they start to pose a serious threat to the person, thus protecting the lower back from discomfort and unpleasant sensations.