Lower back pain

When the lower back hurts, a person's life becomes miserable due to the immense discomfort it causes.Meanwhile, there is not a single person for whom low back pain is not a symptom that appears at least once in their life.Lower back pain can occur for many reasons and in different ways.Its manifestation is pain that appears suddenly and becomes increasingly painful.However, there is a common feature that if left untreated, the disease will get worse.

Causes of lumbar back pain

The human spine is subjected to varying intensities of pressure every day, from negligible to significant.At the same time, he is not always able to compensate for the loads and distribute them to surrounding tissues without harming himself, as a result of which he receives minor injuries.It should be noted that the lumbosacral spine is often overloaded.Additionally, there are several other reasons why your lower back may hurt.This includes infection, genetics, organ damage, etc.

Why does the lower back hurt (for women):

1. Inflammatory diseases manifest as lower back pain or cause complications that lead to this symptom:
   1. Vulvitis – inflammation of the external genitalia;
   2. Colitis – inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
   3. Adnexitis – inflammation of uterine adnexa;
2. During pregnancy, the load on the spine in general and the lower back in particular especially increases.As a rule, the lower back will stop hurting after giving birth.It is also important to note that during pregnancy there may be an impetus for the development of adult disease;
3. Abortion.The procedure damages the internal membrane, leading to local inflammation.In addition, abortion is accompanied by severe psychological stress;
4. Pain during menstruation or, in scientific language, dysmenorrhea.The menstrual cycle is a process associated with hormonal changes in the body.It is also accompanied by the rejection of the endometrium (uterine lining) causing blood loss and leading to strong contractions of the uterus to remove "garbage".This can cause stomach upset and back pain;
5. Climax.Problems with hormonal balance in the body can lead to poor circulation of organs in the pelvic area.Because of this, bone density decreases and osteoporosis develops;
6. Suspiciousness.Although this trait is common to both sexes, in the vast majority of cases it is characteristic of women;
7. large breast size;
8. High heels and carrying heavy bags can also cause back pain.

Why does the lower back hurt (men):

1. Prostatitis.Prostatitis sometimes causes pain in the lumbar region;
2. Epididymitis.Epididymitis can be manifested by discomfort in the lower back;
3. Men 50 years of age and older have a higher risk of genital cancer.What could be the cause of lower back pain?

Why does the lower back hurt (common causes):

Lower back pain can occur due to many diseases of the musculoskeletal system.However, in addition to diseases affecting the spine (spondylitis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis...) and injuries, there are many causes:

1. Skeletal abnormalities or defects: kyphosis, scoliosis, curvature, spina bifida, wedge-shaped vertebrae, etc.It should be noted that in ≈50% of cases the cause of the development of disability is unknown, in ≈10% - environmental influences, in ≈19% - genetics, in the rest - multifactorial.In most cases where there is no treatment, sometimes corrective surgery may be acceptable;
2. Appendicitis.Wormic appendicitis of the cecum (appendix) causes sudden sharp pain in the abdomen, which can spread to the lumbar area;
3. Cholecystitis.Lower back pain can be caused by cholecystitis;
4. Acute pancreatitis.Pancreatitis, which is characterized by low back pain;
5. Cystitis.Cystitis causes discomfort in the pelvic area;
6. Diseases of the small intestine due to their close location to the nerve fibers of the lumbosacral region can cause pain in this area.Enteritis (gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, gastroenteritis), intestinal yeast disease, diverticulosis;
7. Kidney.Lower back pain often accompanies diseases in these organs.Pyelonephritis, renal prolapse, renal failure, urolithiasis, amyloidosis, lupus nephritis, etc.;
8. Excess weight increases the load on the spine and leads to its gradual destruction;
9. Tuberculosis tissue damage;
10. Ankylosing spondylitis;
11. Lower back myositis due to viral or bacterial infection;
12. Malignant tumor grows or metastasizes in the lower back;
13. Benign masses grow on nerve fibers or compress them;
14. Spinal epidural abscess.Purulent inflammation of the spine;
15. Abdominal or pelvic adhesions after surgery.This is the proliferation of connective tissue during wound healing after surgery.For example, intestinal adhesions to organs or the abdominal wall after laparoscopic surgery;
16. Hypothermia, stress, poor nutrition, trauma;
17. Due to other diseases.

"Improper posture is the main reason why children can have back pain."

Types of back pain in the lumbar region

Pain is a mental and physiological reaction of the body to severe stimulation of nerve ganglia in organs and tissues.Pain is the most common reason patients go to the hospital, and it is also often the first sign of illness and warning of it.Pain is a signal of damage that activates protective mechanisms (for example, muscle spasms to limit the mobility of the affected part of the body when nerves are compressed) and compensatory mechanisms of the body (for example, fibrosis in the late stages of osteoarthritis).There are many different ways to classify pain.

Based on the location of the sensation, we can divide the causes of lower back pain into 2 types: primary and secondary (reflex, projection).In the first case, the pain is caused by damage to the musculoskeletal system due to degenerative changes (for example, osteoarthritis) or trauma.The second case is due to a certain disease (for example, cholecystitis spreading to the lower back) that is not directly related to the spine and lumbar muscles, so it can be very diverse.

The nature of the pain is continuous (otherwise chronic) and cyclical (otherwise acute).The first type is associated with irreversible circulatory disorders, nerve damage or damage to the musculoskeletal system.Often, eliminating the source of persistent pain is complicated or impossible.The second category includes acute diseases of organs, injuries and individual physiological characteristics of the body.Periodic pain disappears after eliminating its cause.

Refers to pain when the feeling does not coincide with the true source of the pain (origin, location of damage).For example, pain that radiates down the leg when nerve roots are compressed in the lumbosacral spine is called radiating pain.And after damage to internal organs, pain occurs, called referred pain, localized in a certain area of the skin 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 tissues), visceral (damage to organs inside the body).

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

The disease is characterized by chronic low back pain

Here they are:

1. Degeneration of cartilage between the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine is one of the most common causes of lower back pain.This is a complex disease that involves inflammation and tissue destruction, compression of nerves and blood vessels.Have widespread symptoms;
2. Low back pain.Shooting pain in the lower back.In most cases, it is the result of osteonecrosis and its complication – disc herniation.So the treatment is similar;
3. Osteoporosis.A chronic progressive metabolic disease of bone in which bone density decreases and fragility increases.In other words, osteoporosis.This is the leading cause of hip fractures in older people.The disease deforms bones, joints and cartilage.Typical for women in menopause.Osteoporosis risk assessment: Anyone who has ever broken a bone (eg, vertebrae, hip) with low force should be evaluated;
4. Scoliosis.Curvature of the spine, leading to shoulder asymmetry, poor posture, impaired motor function of the skeleton, ribs protruding to the left or right;
5. Rheumatoid arthritis.Women are more susceptible to the disease.It develops most often during menopause.It is a chronic, systemic disease that involves muscles, ligaments, and cartilage in a degenerative-dystrophic process.The cause of the disease is an autoimmune process;
6. Ankylosing spondylitis or ankylosing spondylitis.A disease that gradually causes loss of joint mobility.More common in men.This is a chronic inflammatory condition of the joints, leading to fibrosis - that is, the proliferation of connective tissues.Mainly localized in the spine.Accompanied by pain, eye damage and reduced growth ability.Leads to complete loss of joint mobility;
7. Degenerative disease of the vertebrae.Chronic disease of the spine, manifested by fibrous tissue changes of the intervertebral spaces and the formation of spinal bone growths (spondylophytes or osteophytes) on both sides of the vertebrae.More often it is the result of old age;
8. Venous thrombosis.Partial or complete blockage of deep veins in the legs due to blood clots.It develops with the simultaneous combination of 3 factors: pathology of the blood vessel walls, blood thickening and slowing down.Wearing high heels for long periods of time increases the risk of developing the disease.Venous thromboembolism is extremely dangerous because until the severe stage it has practically no symptoms;
9. Thrombotic phlebitis.Partial or complete cessation of blood circulation in the superficial veins due to the formation of blood clots due to pathological changes in the vein due to its inflammation.Most often, the disease is a consequence of varicose veins.Venous thromboembolism may be a further development of this disease;
10. Atherosclerosis.Slowing or stopping of blood flow in vessels due to cholesterol plaques.The disease is common in older men;
11. Osteomyelitis.Purulent necrosis of bone, bone marrow and surrounding tissues.The cause is infection.The patient's condition worsened over several days.Requires immediate treatment;
12. Different leg lengths.More than 3 cm.The disease develops due to muscle atrophy in one of the legs.

These and many other diseases are the cause of constant lower back pain.All require urgent and serious treatment.However, it is often symptomatic and its purpose is to slow the further development of the disease.

What to do if your lower back hurts

“If your lower back hurts periodically, this is a signal that it needs to be taken seriously and examined urgently.”

In case of sudden pain without a clear cause, it is necessary to measure body temperature and record symptoms.Such as vomiting, diarrhea, frozen tongue, nature and location of pain, etc.Lie on a hard bed or carpet, placing thick pillows under your knees, head, and torso.If the pain does not subside for a long time, call your doctor.And in any case, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

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

Exercises that may help relieve pain:

1. Relax.Lie down on the mat.Place a thick pillow under your torso and head, and a low stool or bedside table under your knees.Completely relax.This will help the body achieve the most natural posture for the spine;
2. Smoothly lengthens the lumbosacral region.Gently and carefully lie face down on the table, placing your arms on it to bend with little stress on your back.You can also stretch your abdominal muscles.Position yourself so that your basin is right at the edge of the table.In other words, get close to the table until your hips touch the table and lie down.Completely relax the muscles in your back, buttocks and legs.Half of the body hangs on the table in a relaxed state.In this state, take a deep breath with your diaphragm (abdomen) and hold your breath for 3-5 seconds, then exhale slowly.Take 7-10 breaths this way.Then, carefully stand up, using your arms and abs, with minimal tension in your lower back.You can repeat the exercise several times;
3. Releasing the lumbosacral area.Get on all fours.Hands are shoulder width apart and perpendicular to them.Legs wider than shoulders.The back should be kept in a natural position, not bent or arched.In this position, take a deep breath with your diaphragm, then exhale as much as possible, imagining how the navel extends towards the spine.At the end of the exhalation, hold for 2-3 seconds, while squeezing the muscles of the buttocks and hips, but do not squeeze the lower back!Then relax.Perform 7-10 such breaths and 2-3 sets of exercises;

Things not to do if your lower back hurts:

• Warm up.This can increase inflammation and make the situation worse;
• Using pain relievers without a definite diagnosis.Pain is the body's protective mechanism.There may be no pain but this does not mean that the degenerative changes have stopped;
• Do the chiropractic adjustment yourself or even ask a chiropractor to do it without needing an examination and diagnosis.Frequent spinal adjustments will cause further damage to the spine.Displacement of the vertebrae does not always occur due to injury.For example, in cases of progressive osteochondrosis.

“You need to treat the underlying disease first and then its symptoms.”

Determining the cause of a common symptom like lower back pain may require a thorough examination and consultation with many different medical specialists: neurologists, vertebrologists, gynecologists, etc.If you're not sure which specialist you should see, you can consult a therapist.The most common testing procedures are as follows:

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

Treatment of lower back pain

Treatment depends on the diagnosis because there is no single cure for every disease.This article lists only some common names of drugs commonly used in the treatment of low back pain.However, do not self-medicate and take any medication only after consulting your doctor.

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

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
2. Muscle relaxants;
3. Addictive pain relievers;
4. Corticosteroids;
5. Lockdown;
6. Minerals and vitamins.

Some of the best pain relief methods are ointments, creams, and gels:

• NSAIDs;
• Ointment containing diclofenac;
• Combination medications;
• Anti-inflammatory ointment;
• Medicine patches.

Symptomatic treatment is used only for incurable diseases.Modern medicine takes a comprehensive approach to treating lower back pain.Vitamins B1, B6, B12 are added to NSAIDs.It has been proven that the use of high therapeutic doses of B vitamins enhances the effects of NSAIDs due to improved recovery of nerve tissue.Therefore, the optimal supplement to NSAIDs is a multivitamin.Therefore, to fight pain most effectively, treatment with this drug begins with daily injections for 7-10 days.There are also additional physical therapy procedures, exercise, massage, and more.Thanks to that, the most effective and long-lasting treatment results are achieved.

prevent

Prevent lower back pain as follows:

• Regular physical activity keeps the body healthy and develops the muscle frame.If you cannot play sports, 15 minutes of therapeutic exercises, 2-3 times a day will help you avoid getting sick;
• Watch your posture;
• Less stress, more fruits and vegetables.Strong immunity helps you avoid many diseases;
• A properly balanced diet containing essential minerals and vitamins;
• Annual preventive exams by your doctor are the best prevention for detecting the disease in its early stages;
• Supports water-salt balance.The human body needs from 1.5 to 4 liters of water per day, depending on body weight, weather and activity.