Lower back pain is one of the most common and therefore many people simply do not pay attention to it. However, pain in the lumbar region can not only limit a person's mobility, but also signal diseases of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity. Therefore, if you experience the slightest discomfort in your back, it is important to seek help from a doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe effective treatment.
Types of pain
The first thing a doctor is interested in when examining a patient is the intensity and frequency of pain. Depending on the cause, pain in the lower back can be of the following nature:
subacute - begins suddenly and can last from 6 to 12 weeks;
acute - occurs suddenly, is characterized by high intensity, can last about 1. 5 months;
variable (transient) - occurs periodically;
chronic - can have weak or strong intensity, lasts from 12 weeks or more;
deaf;
pain;
weak, medium intensity, strong.
Pain can vary depending on the cause. In this case, the duration and intensity of sensations may vary. Therefore, when visiting a doctor, it is important to describe your feelings as accurately as possible.
Common causes of lower back pain
In the lumbar region there are the following systems that can cause pain:
Musculoskeletal– The pain usually occurs as a result of an injury to the spine, as well as damage or strain to the muscles of the lower back.
Digestive– pain in the lower back usually "soul", which is provoked by disorders in the functioning of the gall bladder, pancreas, intestines, liver and stomach. This is observed with gastritis, the presence of stones in the bile ducts, intoxication, pancreatitis, poisoning, stomach ulcers and various forms of obstruction.
WORRIED– pain appears due to the formation of a hernia, neuropathy, pinched nerve, curvature of the spine, elongation and inflammatory processes occurring in the vertebrae.
Sexual and urinary– Pain syndrome develops if a person has urolithiasis, bladder and kidney problems, ovarian and uterine lesions of various types.
The most common diseases that cause pain in the middle
Curvature of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis)
In this case, a person experiences pain when the disease appears in the middle and late stages. As a rule, the pain syndrome manifests itself at the end of the working day and can be accompanied by fatigue of the back muscles. The pain syndrome is manifested in the form of spasms of the periarticular muscles of the lower and upper extremities, as well as the muscles of the spine and gluteal muscles.
Ankylosing spondylitis
It is a systemic inflammatory disease, which is characterized by the fusion of individual vertebrae into a whole. In parallel, there is an accumulation of calcium in the ligaments that stabilize the spine. This can lead to complete loss of mobility.
Ankylosing spondylitis is accompanied by the following back pain:
stiffness of movements in the lumbar region;
a strong increase in intensity when a person is at rest for a long time.
Urolithiasis disease
Attacks appear in the form of severe pain in the lumbar region, which is caused by the affected kidney. The pain does not go away and does not subside, even if the person changes the position of the body. Typically, attacks are accompanied by a change in the color of urine (it becomes red) and a decrease in its quantity.
Pain syndrome can result from:
inflammatory process in the pancreas;
intestinal obstruction;
painful menstruation (algomenorrhea);
osteomyelitis;
pregnancy;
appendix.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
One of the most common diseases, which is characterized by the thinning of the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. This leads to spasms of the surrounding muscles and irritation of the nerve roots, which causes severe pain. If the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage, it is most likely accompanied by a disc herniation, which puts pressure on the spinal cord, leading to increased back pain.
The pain syndrome intensifies if a person:
rises from a lying or sitting position;
tilts to the sides;
tries to lie on his stomach.
If, as a result of the development of the disease, a massive hernia has formed in the spine, the pain in the lumbar region will only intensify. In addition, the pain syndrome may be accompanied by weakness or numbness in one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
It is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cartilage tissue that covers the intervertebral discs. The tissue becomes thinner over time, which leads to its destruction; osteophytes (specific bony growths) form around the lesion. This leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, a narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes irritation of the nerve roots and the spinal cord itself.
Pain with spondyloarthrosis is of the following nature:
in the initial stage it appears only in the morning, then it becomes permanent;
increases after physical activity (after walking, standing) and decreases after rest;
may be accompanied by pain in the hip and thigh joint.
The pain syndrome with spondyloarthrosis is intensified as a result of muscle spasms that are constantly under tension. Relief of back pain in this case is extremely difficult.
Which specialist should you contact when your lower back hurts?
Since the organs in the abdominal cavity are located quite close to each other, the symptoms of the disease can be mixed. In addition, aching pain that is present for a long time can be in nature. Therefore, before treatment, it is important to undergo diagnostics; one of the specialists can refer you for examination:
Neurologist– when the patient experiences acute "shooting" pain in the spine, which is accompanied by partial loss of sensitivity and mobility. When the pain intensifies after changing the position of the body or staying at rest for a long time.
Surgeon or traumatologist– due to a fall, injury or intense sports.
Nephrologist or urologist– with frequent or difficult urination, which is accompanied by painful pain in the lumbar region, as well as if there is acute pain on one side of the lumbar region.
Gastroenterologist- when the pain syndrome is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, weakness and disorders of the digestive system. If the pain is present only on one side and is pulling in nature.
Gynecologist– if the pain is felt on one or both sides, it may be accompanied by general weakness and intensify during physical activity. When the pain is felt during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
If a person knows the cause of back pain, then there is no need to contact a specialist (severe physical activity - the pain usually goes away in a day or two). In other cases, you should pay attention to such symptoms and go to an appointment with a specialist doctor.
How to diagnose low back pain - diagnostic methods:
ULTRASOUND- if diseases of the pelvic or abdominal organs are suspected. It can also be prescribed to children, but it does not always allow one to see the real cause of back pain.
X-Ray- if the patient has hernia, injuries, scoliosis. But this method allows you to see only bone tissue.
c T– if there is a hernia, neuropathy, protrusions, neoplasia or injuries of the spine have been suffered. Computed tomography is ideal for patients who are contraindicated for magnetic resonance imaging.
MRI– indications are similar to CT. The method is very accurate and enables the most detailed examination of the necessary organs.
Colonoscopy and gastroscopy- if the patient has been diagnosed with diseases of the digestive system. These examinations allow you to take a good look at the abdominal organs and, if necessary, take tissue samples for analysis.
Treatment methods for lower back pain
Treatment methods for lower back pain are determined by the cause of its occurrence. When musculoskeletal disorders are present, nondrug, drug, or surgical treatments may be required.
Treatment methods without drugs:
physical therapy - the course of treatment is selected individually based on the existing diseases. It is important to regularly perform a set of exercises to get the desired effect;
physiotherapy – includes laser treatment of the lesion, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis and other procedures;
acupuncture;
therapeutic and restorative massage - can be used only if the patient does not have an aggravation of the disease;
manual therapy and work with an osteopath.
Non-drug treatment is usually supplemented with medication.
Drug treatments
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used as the main therapy. Medicines are prescribed in the form of intramuscular and intravenous injections, tablets, ointments and creams, as well as rectal suppositories and topically applied patches.
The dose and duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. Uncontrolled use of drugs can lead to side effects.
If taking NSAIDs does not give the desired effect, then the doctor prescribes corticosteroids (hormonal drugs). Taking them allows you to stop the inflammation process and relieve pain.
If a patient has muscle spasms in the lower back, he is prescribed antispasmodics. Such drugs can relieve muscle spasms in the lower back and improve general well-being.
Drugs such as:
vitamin B, which helps improve nerve conduction;
decongestants that relieve swelling of the compressed root;
sedative drugs.
Surgical methods of treatment
If the doctor identifies a patient with indications for surgery, then the patient undergoes surgery. However, surgery is not prescribed if the patient has a herniated disc, as this is not an indication for surgery, regardless of size. If the patient has indications for the removal of a hernia, tumor or needs relief of compression of the root of the spinal cord, then surgical intervention is performed. The decision on the need to perform any operation is made by the doctor individually, depending on the indications and the condition of the patient.
Back pain prevention
Moderate physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are key to a healthy back. It is important to arrange a comfortable place to sleep and constantly monitor your posture. If you spend a lot of time sitting in a sitting position, then you need to get up periodically and do a small warm-up. If you do not like to exercise, then it is advisable to walk as much as possible.
Giving up bad habits and maintaining proper nutrition will help prevent the development of diseases of internal organs. This is especially important for people who have already been diagnosed with diseases of the pancreas, stomach, kidneys and liver. In addition, you should try to keep your lower back warm at all times. The fact is that cold air can provoke the development of diseases of internal organs and cause inflammation of nerves.
If there is a need to lift something heavy, then this should be done using the legs, while the back should be straight. This will shift the load from the lower back muscles. And finally, do not ignore back pain, even if it does not cause serious discomfort. It is better to be examined and start treatment at the right time than to face serious consequences.