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 feel the slightest discomfort in your back, it is important to seek help from a doctor who will carry out an examination and prescribe effective treatment.
Types of pain
The first thing the 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 abruptly and can last 6 to 12 weeks;
acute – occurs suddenly, is characterized by high intensity, can last approximately 1. 5 months;
variable (transient) – occurs periodically;
chronic: can have a weak or strong intensity, lasts 12 weeks or more;
boring;
in pain;
weak, medium intensity, strong.
The pain can vary depending on the cause. In this case, the duration and intensity of the sensations may vary. Therefore, when visiting a doctor, it is important to describe your feelings as accurately as possible.
Common causes of low back pain
In the lumbar region there are the following systems that can cause pain:
Skeletal muscle– pain usually occurs due to a spinal injury, as well as damage or strain to the muscles of the lower back.
Digestive– pain in the lower back usually "shoots", provoked by disorders in the functioning of the gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, liver and stomach. This is observed with gastritis, the presence of stones in the bile ducts, intoxication, pancreatitis, poisoning, gastric ulcers and various forms of obstruction.
Nervous– pain occurs due to the formation of hernia, neuropathy, pinched nerve, curvature of the spine, protrusion and inflammatory processes occurring in the vertebrae.
Sexual and urinary– pain syndrome develops if a person has urolithiasis, bladder and kidney problems, lesions of the ovaries and uterus of various types.
The most common diseases that cause low back pain
Spinal curvatures (scoliosis, kyphosis)
In this case, a person feels pain when the disease occurs in the middle and late stages. As a rule, pain syndrome occurs at the end of the working day and may be accompanied by fatigue of the back muscles. The pain syndrome manifests itself 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 an inflammatory systemic disease, characterized by the fusion of individual vertebrae into a whole. At the same time, 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 lower back pain:
stiffness of movements in the lumbar region;
a sharp increase in intensity when a person is at rest for a long time.
Urolithiasis disease
Attacks manifest themselves in the form of severe pain in the lumbar region, caused by the affected kidney. The pain does not disappear or decrease, even if the person changes body position. Usually, 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 blockage;
painful menstruation (algomenorrhea);
osteomyelitis;
pregnancy;
appendicitis.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
One of the most common diseases, 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 cause severe pain. If the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage, it is most likely accompanied by a herniated disc, which puts pressure on the spinal cord, causing increased lower back pain.
Pain syndrome intensifies if a person:
stands up from a lying or sitting position;
leans on the sides;
try to lie on your 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. Additionally, the pain syndrome may be accompanied by weakness or numbness of one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
It is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cartilaginous tissue that covers the intervertebral discs. Over time the tissue thins, which leads to its destruction; osteophytes (specific bone 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 phase it appears only in the morning, subsequently it becomes permanent;
increases after physical activity (after walking, standing) and decreases after rest;
may be accompanied by pain in the hip joint and thigh.
The pain syndrome in spondyloarthrosis intensifies due to muscle spasms that are constantly under tension. Relieving 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 conflicting. Also, aching pain present for a long time may be girdling in nature. Therefore, before treatment, it is important to undergo diagnostics, one of the specialists can direct you for examination:
Neurologist– when the patient feels acute pain with "shootings" in the spine, accompanied by a partial loss of sensitivity and mobility. When the pain intensifies after changing body position or remaining at rest for a long time.
Surgeon or traumatologist– due to a fall, injury or intense sporting activity.
Nephrologist or urologist– in case of frequent or difficult urination, accompanied by aching pain in the lumbar region, as well as in case of acute pain on one side of the lumbar region.
Gastroenterologist– when the painful syndrome is accompanied by increased body temperature, weakness and digestive system disorders. If the pain is present only on one side and is of a pulling nature.
Gynecologist– if you feel pain on one or both sides, it may be accompanied by general weakness and intensify during physical activity. When you feel pain during your menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
If a person knows the cause of back pain, there is no need to contact a specialist (intense physical activity: pain usually goes away in one or two days). In other cases, you should pay attention to such symptoms and go to an appointment with a specialized doctor.
How to diagnose low back pain - diagnostic methods:
Ultrasound– if there is suspicion of diseases of the pelvic or abdominal organs. It can also be prescribed to children, but it does not always allow us to see the real cause of back pain.
X-ray– if the patient has hernias, lesions, scoliosis. But this method allows you to see only bone tissue.
CT– if hernias, neuropathies, protrusions, neoplasms are present or spinal injuries have been reported. Computed tomography is ideal for patients who are contraindicated for MRI.
magnetic resonance imaging– the indications are similar to CT. The method is extremely accurate and allows you to examine the necessary organs in as much detail as possible.
Colonoscopy and gastroscopy– if the patient is diagnosed with digestive system diseases. These tests allow you to get a good look at the abdominal organs and, if necessary, take tissue samples for analysis.
Treatment methods for low back pain
Treatment methods for low back pain are determined by the cause of its occurrence. When musculoskeletal disorders are present, non-drug, pharmacological, or surgical treatments may be necessary.
Non-drug treatment methods:
physical therapy – the course of treatment is selected individually based on existing diseases. It is important to regularly perform a set of exercises to achieve 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 exacerbation of the disease;
manual therapy and working with an osteopath.
Non-drug treatment is usually supplemented with medications.
Pharmacological treatments
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used as the main therapy. Drugs are prescribed in the form of intramuscular and intravenous injections, tablets, ointments and creams, as well as suppositories and rectal patches applied topically.
The dosage and duration of treatment are determined by the doctor. Uncontrolled use of medications can lead to side effects.
If taking NSAIDs does not give the desired effect, 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 overall well-being.
Drugs such as:
B vitamins, which help improve nerve conduction;
decongestants that relieve swelling of the pinched root;
sedative drugs.
Surgical methods of treatment
If the doctor identifies a patient with an indication for surgery, the patient undergoes surgery. However, if the patient has a herniated disc, surgery is not prescribed, as this is not an indication for surgery, regardless of size. If the patient has indications for removal of a hernia, tumor or it is necessary to relieve compression of the root of the spinal cord, surgery is performed. The decision on the need to perform any operation is made by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the indications and condition of the patient.
Prevention of back pain
Moderate physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are the key to a healthy back. It is important to organize a comfortable place to sleep and constantly monitor your posture. If you spend a lot of time sitting in a sitting position, you need to periodically get up and do a little warm-up. If you don't like exercise, it is advisable to walk as much as possible.
Abandoning 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 must 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 the nerves.
If you need to lift heavy objects, you need to do it using your legs, while your back should be straight. This will shift the load off the lower back muscles. Finally, don't ignore lower back pain, even if it doesn't cause severe discomfort. It is better to get examined and start treatment in a timely manner than to face serious consequences.