Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for visiting a neurologist among working-age people.According to statistics, 9 out of 10 people experience lower back pain at least once in their lifetime, and 9% of cases result in disability.The first episode was most often recorded before the age of 30.From 30 to 60 years of age, the risk of disease increases.
Unfortunately, young people don't always heed the warning signs.Many people believe that back pain is caused by overwork, physical activity or sitting for a long time at the computer.But in fact, it can be a sign of a serious illness.Lower back pain can be caused by various pathologies: from spinal problems to kidney failure.Only a timely visit to a doctor will help determine the cause and carry out the correct treatment.
Possible causes of lower back pain: What hurts?
Ankylosing spondylitis
Back pain syndrome occurs due to the fact that the vertebrae are included in a conglomerate.The back loses mobility in the lower part.With ankylosing spondylitis, calcium deposits are also observed in the ligaments that hold the back, which also causes pain that causes pain when trying to turn, stand up, or do any other movement.
Different symptoms of pathology:
- Stiffness of body movements in the lumbar region;
- Increased pain after prolonged inactivity, especially after a night's sleep.
Osteochondrosis
The disease is manifested by thinning of the intervertebral discs.As a result, the shock-absorbing function of the spine decreases, the nerve roots are compressed and the muscles around the affected area spasm.The person feels sharp pain.Without treatment, osteochondrosis progresses, leading to protrusions and disc herniation.The protrusion of the cartilage tissue compresses the spinal cord.A person not only has severe back pain, but also the innervation of the lower extremities is disturbed.
Different symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- The pain intensifies when getting up from a horizontal or sitting position or in a bent position, trying to drag your stomach from behind;
- Patients often report weakness and numbness in one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
The back side can be damaged due to degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue that surrounds the intervertebral discs.The elastic layers become thinner and osteophytes—hard bone formations—appear in their places.The distance between the vertebrae decreases with simultaneous compression of the spinal canal.
The nature of pain in spondyloarthrosis:
- It is accompanied by limited mobility of the spine below the waist, up to constant stiffness;
- Worse after walking, stretching, standing and other stress;
- spreads to the pelvic region and thighs.
Urolithiasis
An attack of pathology is manifested by a sharp, severe pain in the back on the side of the affected kidney.The severity and character of the sensation does not change depending on the position of the body.The patient will not be able to find a position that will be a little easier.
An attack of urolithiasis is accompanied by additional specific symptoms:
- back pain pain in lower back;
- Urine volume decreases, color changes and blood impurities appear;
- pain occurs during urination;
- There may be an increase in temperature due to inflammation.
Other causes of pain and tightness in the lower back
Lumbar pain syndrome is observed in the following conditions:
- Pregnancy, including early gestation;
- algomenorrhea in women;
- osteomyelitis;
- appendicitis;
- inflammation of the pancreas;
- intestinal pathologies;
- back injury;
- tumor in the lumbar region;
- inflammatory processes in the female genital organs;
- prostatitis in men, etc.
Expert opinion
Back pain: what to do?Do not make sudden movements, especially if the pain occurs as a result of a fall or impact.Try to take the most comfortable position.If the pain worsens and does not decrease when changing the position, call an ambulance - renal colic, hospitalization is required.In other cases, you can use ointments and tablets to relieve the condition.Contact a specialist as soon as possible.The doctor will help to relieve even severe pain and adhere to the treatment.
Diagnosis of low back pain
At the first appointment, the doctor may cause a blockade to relieve acute pain.When the patient feels better, the doctor collects a more thorough examination and history.Location, nature, duration of pain, factors that lead to exacerbation or vice versa, improvement of well-being is important.The doctor will ask about past injuries and illnesses starting in early childhood.History helps suggest why the back hurts and diagnostic procedures will provide more complete information.
The doctor may prescribe:
- General analysis of urine and blood.Based on the results, they diagnose inflammatory processes, identify signs of kidney pathology and signs of digestive organs;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary system.If urolithiasis is suspected, an examination is necessary.Using ultrasound, the doctor determines the extent and localization of the inflammatory process, evaluates the size of the stones for the correct treatment tactics;
- X-ray of the lumbar spine.The images help to determine the pathology in the vertebrae and the pathology of the adjacent tissues.X-ray, CT or MRI are additionally prescribed to clarify - these are more informative examination methods;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.When a woman has back pain, this may indicate endometritis or salting-oophoritis.Pregnant women should be examined to determine the tone of the uterus;
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland.If a person has back pain, it can be a sign of this inflammation or a tumor of the prostate.The doctor performs a scan to determine the structure of the gland.
After a general examination, the doctor can prescribe more targeted procedures.In some cases, consultations with a surgeon, therapist, gynecologist and other specialists are required to clarify the diagnosis.
Back pain treatment
Therapy is strictly individual.The doctor begins to treat the patient when he receives the most complete information about his condition, or at least has information to suggest a diagnosis.Therapy for renal colic and osteochondrosis is fundamentally different.
Drug treatment
To reduce pain, non-antique anti-inflammatory drugs are most often prescribed in the form of injections, ointments and tablets.Medicines help to quickly relieve inflammation and muscle spasms.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have side effects, so the doctor accurately calculates the dose and duration of the course for each patient.
If the treatment for lower back pain does not work within 2-3 days, the doctor chooses hormonal drugs.Medicines are needed only to eliminate the acute condition.Antispasmodics, anticonvulsants and B vitamins are prescribed as auxiliary agents.If the patient has lower back pain and pain while urinating, antibiotics may be chosen.The doctor will tell you why this or that medicine is needed and how to take it correctly.
Non-narcotic treatment
Procedures are carried out in courses after the operator is relaxed.The following are used in the complex treatment of pain:
- Physiotherapy: RadioFrequency neuromodulation, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetic therapy;
- Physical therapy: daily exercises selected by a doctor, exercises in the pool;
- Massage: therapeutic for lower back and hips and general strengthening;
- Acupuncture, hirudotherapy and other procedures.
Surgery
The operation is carried out strictly according to the indications.If the patient has back pain and a temperature that does not decrease while taking medication, removal of the inflammatory focus will be required.Radical intervention is necessary for tumors and metastases.
In case of female genital pathology, lower abdominal pain, diagnostic resection and laparoscopic operations are performed.If urolithiasis cannot be removed with the help of drugs, the patient is also indicated for surgical treatment.
You can't stand pain and discomfort in the lower back.The body gives you a signal that you should pay attention to this area.