Lower back pain

When the lower back hurts, a person's life becomes miserable because of the great discomfort it causes.Meanwhile, there is no person whose lumbar pain has not been a symptom that has appeared at least once in his life.Back pain can occur for many reasons and in different ways.In its manifestation, the pain is sudden and increased, shooting and aching.However, there is a common feature - if left untreated, it will get worse.

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region

Human bones are exposed to stress of varying intensity every day, from insignificant to significant.At the same time, he does not always manage to balance the load and distribute it over the surrounding tissues without harming himself, as a result of which he receives microtraumas.It should be remembered that the lumbosacral spine is often subjected to loads.In addition, there are several other reasons why your lower back may hurt.These include infections, genetics, organ damage, etc.

Why does the lower back hurt (causes in women):

1. Inflammatory diseases manifest themselves as lower back pain or give complications that lead to these symptoms:
   1. Vulvitis - inflammation of the external genitalia;
   2. Colpitis - inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
   3. Adnexitis - inflammation of the uterine appendages;
2. During pregnancy, the load on the spinal column in general, and on the lower part in particular, especially increases.As a rule, the lower back stops hurting after giving birth.It should also be noted that during pregnancy there may be an impetus for the development of mature diseases;
3. Abortion.This procedure damages the internal membrane, which leads to local inflammation.In addition, abortion is accompanied by serious psychological stress;
4. Menstrual pain or, in scientific language, algodismenorrhea.The menstrual cycle is a process associated with hormonal changes in the body.It is also accompanied by the rejection of the endometrial layer (uterine lining), which causes blood loss and leads to intense contractions of the uterus to remove the "garbage".This can cause stomach ache and backache;
5. Climax.Problems with hormonal balance in the body can cause poor organ circulation in the pelvic area.Because of this, bone density decreases and osteoporosis develops;
6. Suspicion.Although this quality is common to both sexes, in most cases, it is a female characteristic;
7. Large breast size;
8. High heels and carrying heavy handbags can also cause lower back pain.

Why does the lower back hurt (male causes):

1. Prostatitis.Inflammation of the prostate gland sometimes causes pain in the lumbar region;
2. Epididymitis.Inflammation of the epididymis can be reflected by discomfort in the lower back;
3. Men over the age of 50 have an increased risk of genital cancer.What can be the cause of lower back pain?

Why does the lower back hurt (common causes):

Back pain can occur due to many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.However, in addition to diseases affecting the spine (spondyloarthrosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis ...) and injuries, there are many reasons:

1. Anomalies or skeletal defects: kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis, spina bifida, wedge-shaped vertebrae, etc.In most cases there is no treatment, sometimes surgical correction is acceptable;
2. Appendicitis.Inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the cecum (appendix) causes sudden sharp pain in the abdomen, which can radiate to the lumbar region;
3. Cholecystitis.Back pain may be caused by inflammation of the gallbladder;
4. Acute pancreatitis.Inflammation of the pancreas, which is characterized by belt pain;
5. Cystitis.Bladder inflammation causes discomfort in the pelvic area;
6. Diseases of the small intestine, due to their close location to nerve fibers in the lumbosacral region, can cause pain in this area.Enteritis (gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, gastroenterocolitis), intestinal enzymopathy, diverticulosis;
7. Kidneys.Lower back pain often accompanies diseases of these organs.Pyelonephritis, kidney prolapse, kidney failure, urolithiasis, amyloidosis, lupus nephritis, etc.;
8. Excess weight increases the load on the spine and leads to its gradual destruction;
9. Tuberculous tissue damage;
10. Ankylosing spondylitis;
11. Inflammation of the lower back muscles due to viral or bacterial infection;
12. Malignant tumors developing or metastasizing in the lower back;
13. Benign formations that grow on nerve fibers or compress them;
14. Spinal epidural abscess.Purulent inflammation of the spinal column;
15. Abdominal or pelvic adhesions after surgery.This is the proliferation of connective tissue during the post-operative wound healing process.For example, intestinal adhesion to organs or abdominal wall after laparotomy;
16. Hypothermia, stress, poor nutrition, injury;
17. Because of other diseases.

"Improper posture is the main reason why a child may experience back pain."

A type of back pain in the lumbar region

Pain is the body's mental and physiological response to severe irritation of nerve nodes in organs and tissues.Pain is the most common reason for patients to go to the hospital, and it is also the first sign of illness and a warning about it.Pain is a signal of damage that helps trigger protection (for example, muscle spasms to limit the mobility of the affected part of the body when the nerves are pinched) and compensatory mechanisms of the body (for example, fibrosis in the last stage of osteochondrosis).There are many different classifications of pain.

Based on the location of the sensation, we can divide the reasons why the lower back hurts so much into 2 types: primary and secondary (reflected, projected).In the first case, pain is caused by damage to the musculoskeletal system due to degenerative changes (for example, osteochondrosis) or trauma.In the second case, it is caused by a pathology (for example, cholecystitis that radiates to the lower back) that is not directly related to the spine and muscles of the lumbar region, so it can be very diverse.

The nature of pain is constant (as opposed to chronic) and periodic (as opposed to acute).The first type is associated with irreversible processes of circulatory disorders, nerve damage or damage to the musculoskeletal system.As a rule, eliminating the source of persistent pain is difficult or impossible.The second type includes acute organ diseases, injuries and individual physiological characteristics of the body.Periodic pain disappears after eliminating the cause.

Referring pain is when the sensation does not coincide with the actual source of pain (original source, site of damage).For example, pain that radiates to the leg, when the nerve root is compressed in the lumbosacral spine, is called projected.And after damage to internal organs, pain occurs, called referred pain, which is localized in a certain dermatome according to the zakharyin-ged zone.

According to localization, pain can be superficial somatic (damage to the skin), deep somatic (disorders of the musculoskeletal system and tissue), suffering (damage to organs in the body).

Depending on the nerve affected, the pain can be neuropathic, when peripheral nerves are damaged, or central, when the central nervous system is damaged.

A disease characterized by chronic low back pain

Here they are:

1. Lumbosacral intervertebral osteochondrosis is one of the most common causes of back pain.This is a complex disease consisting of inflammation and tissue destruction, compression of nerves and blood vessels.Have a wide range of symptoms;
2. Lumbago.Shooting pain in the lower back.In most cases, it is the result of osteochondrosis and complications - herniated disc.Therefore, the treatment is similar;
3. Osteoporosis.Chronic progressive metabolic disease of bones, where their density decreases and fragility increases.In other words, bone thinning.It is the leading cause of hip fractures in the elderly.This disease forms the skeleton, joints and cartilage.Especially for women during menopause.Osteoporosis Risk Assessment: Anyone who has broken a bone (eg, vertebrae, hip) with minor force should be assessed;
4. Scoliosis.Curvature of the spine, which results in shoulder asymmetry, poor posture, impaired motor function of the skeleton, protruding ribs on the left or right side;
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis.Women are more susceptible to this disease.It develops most often during menopause.This is a systemic chronic disease involving muscles, ligaments and cartilage in a degenerative-dystrophic process.The cause of this disease is an autoimmune process;
6. Ankylosing spondylitis or ankylosing spondylitis.A disease with progressive loss of joint mobility.More common in men.This is a chronic inflammation of the joints, which leads to fibrosis - that is, the proliferation of connective tissue.Mainly localized in the spine.Accompanied by pain, eye damage, and decreased growth.Leads to loss of joint mobility;
7. Spondylosis.Chronic disease of the spine, which is manifested by changes in the fibrous tissue of the intervertebral space and the formation of spinal bone growths (spondylophytes or osteophytes) on the sides of the vertebrae.More often the result of old age;
8. Phlebothrombosis.Partial or complete blockage in the veins in the legs due to blood clots.It develops with a simultaneous combination of 3 factors: pathology of the blood vessel walls, thickening and slowing of blood flow.Wearing high heels for a long time increases the risk of developing pathologies.Phlebothrombosis is very dangerous because up to a serious level it is practically asymptomatic;
9. Thrombophlebitis.Partial or complete cessation of blood circulation in the superficial veins due to the formation of blood clots caused by pathological changes in the veins due to their inflammation.Often, this disease is the result of varicose veins.Phlebothrombosis can be a further development of this disease;
10. Atherosclerosis.Slows down or stops blood flow in the vessels due to cholesterol plaques.This disease is typical for older men;
11. Osteomyelitis.Purulent-necrotic process in bone, bone marrow and surrounding tissue.The cause is a bacterial infection.The patient's condition worsened over several days.Needs immediate treatment;
12. Different leg lengths.More than 3 cm.This disease develops due to muscle atrophy of one of the legs.

These diseases and many more are the reasons why the lower back continues to hurt.All of them need immediate and serious treatment.However, it is often a symptom and its purpose is to delay the further development of the disease.

What to do if your lower back hurts

"If your lower back hurts regularly, this is a signal to take seriously and undergo an immediate examination."

If the pain is sudden, the cause is not clear, the body temperature should be measured and the symptoms observed.Such as vomiting, diarrhea, tongue coating, nature and location of pain, etc. lie on a hard bed or carpet, put a thick pillow under your knees, head and trunk.If the pain does not subside for a long time, contact the doctor.And in any case, it is necessary to pass the exam.

For cases when the cause of the pain is known.For example, for bruises or lower back wounds, first aid is provided with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (preferably tablets or ointments).You can take a diuretic once to reduce swelling and wrap your bottom with an orthopedic belt or towel to limit mobility.

Exercises that can help relieve pain:

1. Relaxation.Lie on the carpet.Place a thick pillow under your body and head, and a low table or desk under your knees.Rest completely.This will help the body take the most natural position for the spine;
2. Smooth stretching of the lumbosacral region.Slowly and carefully lie on your stomach on the table, resting your hands on it to bend with minimal tension on your back.You can also tense your abdominal muscles.Position yourself so that your pelvis is on the edge of the table.In other words, approach the table until your hips touch it and lie down.Work the muscles of the back, buttocks and legs.Half of the body hangs from the table in a relaxed state.In this state, take a deep diaphragmatic (abdominal) breath and hold your breath for 3-5 seconds, then exhale slowly.Take 7-10 breaths in this way.Then carefully rise up, helping yourself with your hands and your abdominal muscles, with minimal tension in your lower back.You can repeat the exercise several times;
3. Unloading the lumbosacral region.Get all four.Hands are shoulder width apart and perpendicular to them.Feet wider than shoulders.The back should remain in its natural position without arching or arching.In this position, take a deep diaphragm, and then exhale as much as possible, imagining how the navel stretches towards the spine.At the end of the exhalation, hold for 2-3 seconds, while tightening the muscles of the back and hips, but not the lower back!Then rest.Take 7-10 such breaths and 2-3 sets of exercises;

What not to do if your lower back hurts:

• Warming up.This can increase inflammation and worsen the condition;
• Take painkillers without a prescribed diagnosis.Pain is the body's defense mechanism.There may be no pain, but this does not mean that the degenerative changes have stopped;
• Set the bones yourself or even with a chiropractor without examination and diagnosis.Regular adjustments of the vertebrae will injure the spine.Vertebral transplantation is not always due to injury.In the case, for example, advanced osteochondrosis.

"You have to treat the underlying disease first, and the symptoms second."

Determining the cause of the same symptoms as lower back pain may require extensive examination and consultation with various medical specialists: neurologists, vertebrologists, gynecologists, etc.If it is not clear which specialist to go to, you can consult a therapist.The most common examination procedures are as follows:

1. Consideration of patient complaints, examination of joint mobility, evaluation of the degree of degenerative changes;
2. General analysis of urine and blood;
3. Biochemical blood tests;
4. X-ray examination of the lumbar vertebrae;
5. Ultrasound of the heart and abdominal organs;
6. Doppler Ultrasound - Examination of blood vessels;
7. CT or MRI.

Lower back pain treatment

Treatment depends on the diagnosis because there is no cure for every disease.This article lists just a few of the common names of medications that are often used in the treatment of low back pain.However, it is highly recommended not to self-medicate and take medicines only after consulting a doctor.

Drug treatment for low back pain aims to relieve inflammation and pain relief.And for this purpose the following types of drugs are used:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
2. Muscle relaxants;
3. Narcotic analgesics;
4. Corticosteroids;
5. Blockade;
6. Minerals and vitamins.

Some of the best ways to relieve pain are ointments, creams and gels:

• NSAIDs;
• Ointment containing diclofenac;
• Combined medicine;
• Anti-inflammatory ointment;
• Medicine patch.

Symptomatic therapy is only used for incurable diseases.Modern medicine takes a comprehensive approach to treating back pain.Vitamins B1, B6, B12 are added to NSAIDs.It has been proven that the use of high therapeutic doses of vitamin B increases the effect of NSAIDs due to better recovery of nerve tissue.Therefore, the optimal addition to NSAIDs is a combination vitamin drug.Therefore, to combat pain most effectively, treatment with this drug begins with daily injections for 7-10 days.To this are added physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy, massage, etc.Therefore, the most effective and long-term treatment is achieved.

Prevention

Prevention of back pain is as follows:

• Regular physical activity, keeping the body in good condition, developing a muscular frame.If it is not possible to play sports, then therapeutic exercises for 15 minutes 2-3 times a day will help not to get sick;
• Watch your posture;
• Less stress, more fruits and vegetables.Strong immunity saves you from many diseases;
• A proper balanced diet containing essential minerals and vitamins;
• An annual preventive examination by a doctor is the best prevention to detect the disease at an early stage;
• Water salt balance support.The human body needs from 1.5 to 4 liters of water per day, depending on body weight, weather and activity.