Back pain is a common problem not only in the elderly but also in young people.Unpleasant pain appears due to sudden movements, lifting heavy weights and many other careless movements.However, persistent pain may indicate the presence of a medical condition that requires treatment.
Causes of unpleasant symptoms
According to statistics, about half of the adult population complains of back pain.However, not everyone turns to a highly qualified specialist for help.Because the elasticity of the muscles and discs decreases significantly over time, it can lead to serious spinal injuries.
In addition, back pain often occurs due to excessive physical activity:
- Lift heavy weights regularly;
- Dance;
- Fall;
- Sudden movements during exercise.
Recently, teenagers, students and young people leading a sedentary lifestyle often complain of back pain.One of the most common causes of back strain is poor, uneven posture.Unfortunately, deformed posture today can be observed even in adolescents, which is the result of excessive workload at school.
In addition, due to inflammation, swelling and possible nerve compression, patients often feel uncomfortable.If your back really hurts, then you can't do anything without seeing a doctor.Of course, you can try to remedy this condition yourself at home using folk remedies, safe ointments, tablets or therapeutic massage.However, do not forget that self-medication rarely leads to a positive final result.In addition, the reason for the appearance of different symptoms may indicate a serious illness.
Symptoms indicate the presence of the disease
In addition to pain in the back, as well as in the muscles of the back and neck, other unpleasant sensations may appear.If the pain occurs during stress during intense physical activity or episodic pain occurs in a calm state, you need to pay attention to the duration of the symptoms.If the discomfort does not disappear within 3-5 days, it is necessary to see a doctor.
In addition, due to severe illness, the following symptoms may be seen:
- Increased body temperature;
- Nausea;
- Dizzy;
- Vomiting;
- diarrhea,
- frequent or painful urination;
- Severe pain during menstruation in women;
- Swelling of arms and legs, numbness of lower extremities.
If at least one of the above symptoms is present, along with pain in the spine, urgent hospitalization is required.Prolonged pain can cause serious complications such as difficulty moving limbs, shock, confusion...
First things first
Before the arrival of a specialist, you can stay at home providing yourself with auxiliary measures to relieve pain.
To do this, physical activity should be reduced.Try to move as little as possible, don't run, go slowly, gently, don't make sudden movements.
The second method is hot compresses.Many experts do not recommend heating painful areas for the first two days.By taking a hot bath or applying compresses (hot salt, alcohol solution), you can relieve discomfort.One of the safest options is to take pain relievers.
You should not choose pain relievers or antispasmodics that are too strong, especially before the doctor arrives.Because during palpation, sensitivity may decrease and the diagnosis of the disease will be made incorrectly.
Aggravated pain can be triggered by stress.
Therefore, experts recommend that you be as nervous as possible and, for preventive purposes, drink tea made from herbs that have a calming effect:
- Mint;
- Melissa;
- Valerian and other sedative plants.
Go see a doctor
What can a doctor do if a patient continues to have very severe pain?The first thing is to find the cause of pain in the muscles or joints of the back.This will help determine the presence of serious diseases.If complications are detected, the specialist should refer to a neurologist, rheumatologist and orthopedist.If there is no such need, the therapist will prescribe the necessary medication, including antispasmodic drugs or local anesthetics.He also prescribes physical therapy and massage.
Diagnose
In addition to palpation performed by a therapist, it is necessary to undergo an examination to reliably determine the cause of pain, as well as verify the presence or absence of a particular disease.
Joint and back diagnosis includes:
- MRI;
- Supersonic.
When conducting ultrasound or computed tomography diagnostics, various types of tumors can be detected, indicating possible inflammation and even cancer.Swelling, growth, bone and muscle damage are detected through research, as palpation makes it almost impossible to identify newly appearing tumors.Therefore, an experienced specialist will definitely refer his patient for instrumental examination.
There are often cases where discomfort in the back or joints indicates possible disease of a nearby organ.
For example, people often seek treatment for their back muscles, when the pain is the result of nephritis.
Pain can also indicate disease of the following organs:
- Intestine;
- Ovaries (in women), prostate (in men);
- Kidney;
- Liver.
Therefore, in order not to once again violate the body's immunity with unnecessary drugs and treatments, a comprehensive examination is necessary.
Prevent severe pain
In addition to treatment, especially for people with a sedentary lifestyle, prevention is necessary.The first thing you should constantly pay attention to is your posture.Try to monitor your posture, because with correct posture, the load on the muscles and intervertebral discs will be significantly reduced.The second is lifting a heavy object.This is especially true for women.
You should not lift weights under any circumstances, because in addition to injury to the back and spine, this can cause hernia.If you must lift weights, try to keep your back straight and your knees bent.
If you have to sit fixedly, you need to arrange your workplace to ensure all regulations on labor safety.Don't forget that the distance between the screen and your eyes should be at least 15 cm, and the screen should be placed so that your head is in a straight position.It is necessary to use a chair or armchair that can support the back, preferably with a headrest.
Try to do your homework.Today on the Internet you can find many examples of exercises for back muscles that relax and at the same time "wake up" the cartilage and muscles of the spine.
Remember that any joint or muscle pain requires treatment.If you feel stiffness in your joints for more than five days, then home treatment will not be enough, moreover, you risk ignoring a serious illness.