Lower back pain is one of the most common and that is why 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. So, 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 that interests a doctor when examining a patient is the intensity and frequency of pain. Depending on the cause, lower back pain can be of the following nature:
subacute – begins abruptly and may last 6 to 12 weeks;
acute – occurs suddenly, is characterized by high intensity, can last about 1. 5 months;
variable (transient) – occurs periodically;
chronic - may have low or high intensity, lasts 12 weeks or more;
dull;
painful;
weak, medium intensity, strong.
Pain may vary depending on the cause. In this case, the duration and intensity of the sensations may vary. Therefore, when seeing a doctor, it is important to describe your feelings as accurately as possible.
Common causes of lower back pain
In the lumbar region, the following systems can cause pain:
Locomotor device– pain usually occurs following an injury to the spine, as well as damage or strain in the muscles of the lower back.
Digestive– pain in the lower back usually "pulls", caused 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, stomach ulcers and various forms of obstruction.
Nervous– pain occurs due to the formation of a 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 suffers from urolithiasis, problems with the bladder and kidneys, damage to the ovaries and uterus of various types.
The most common diseases causing 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 manifests itself at the end of the working day and may be accompanied by fatigue of the back muscles. 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 buttocks.
Ankylosing spondylitis
It is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by the fusion of individual vertebrae into a whole. At the same time, we observe an accumulation of calcium in the ligaments which stabilize the spine. This can lead to a 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 period of time.
Urolithiasis disease
The attacks are manifested by intense pain in the lumbar region, caused by the affected kidney. The pain does not go away or ease, 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 obstruction;
painful periods (algomenorrhea);
osteomyelitis;
pregnancy;
appendicitis.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
One of the most common diseases, characterized by thinning of the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. This causes surrounding muscles to spasm and nerve roots to become irritated, causing severe pain. If the disease is diagnosed in an advanced stage, it is most likely accompanied by a herniated disc, which puts pressure on the spinal cord, leading to increased lower back pain.
The pain syndrome intensifies if a person:
rises from a lying or sitting position;
leans to the sides;
try lying on your stomach.
If, as a result of the development of the disease, a massive hernia forms in the spine, the pain in the lumbar region will only intensify. Additionally, pain syndrome may be accompanied by weakness or numbness in one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
This is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cartilaginous tissue that covers the intervertebral discs. The tissue becomes thinner over time, leading to its destruction; osteophytes (specific bony 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.
The pain associated with spondyloarthrosis is of the following nature:
at the initial stage it appears only in the morning, then 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 associated with spondyloarthrosis intensifies due to muscle spasms that are constantly under tension. In this case, relieving lower back pain is extremely difficult.
Which specialist should you contact when you have lower back pain?
Since the organs of the abdominal cavity are quite close to each other, the symptoms of the disease can be mixed. In addition, aching pain present for a long time may have a girdling character. Therefore, before treatment, it is important to pass a diagnosis, one of the specialists can refer you for an examination:
Neurologist– when the patient feels acute pain with "shooting" in the spine, which is accompanied by a partial loss of sensitivity and mobility. When the pain intensifies after a change in body position or after a long rest.
Surgeon or traumatologist– following a fall, injury or intense sport.
Nephrologist or urologist– in case of frequent or difficult urination, which is accompanied by aching pain in the lumbar region, as well as in case of sharp pain on one side of the lumbar region.
Gastroenterologist– when the pain syndrome is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, weakness and disorders of the digestive system. If the pain is only present on one side and is pulling in nature.
Gynecologist– if the pain is felt on one or both sides, it may be accompanied by general weakness and intensify during physical activity. When pain is felt during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
If a person knows the cause of lower back pain, there is no need to contact a specialist (intense physical activity - the pain usually disappears within one or two days). In other cases, you should pay attention to these symptoms and make an appointment with a specialized doctor.
How to diagnose low back pain - diagnostic methods:
Ultrasound– in case of suspected diseases of the pelvic or abdominal organs. It can be prescribed even to children, but it does not always allow us to see the real cause of lower back pain.
x-ray– if the patient has hernias, injuries, scoliosis. But this method allows you to see only the bone tissue.
CT– in cases of hernias, neuropathies, protrusions, neoplasms or spinal injuries. CT scanning is ideal for patients for whom magnetic resonance imaging is contraindicated.
MRI– the indications are similar to those of the scanner. The method is very precise and allows you to examine the necessary organs in as much detail as possible.
Colonoscopy and gastroscopy– if the patient is diagnosed with diseases of the digestive system. These examinations allow you to closely observe the abdominal organs and, if necessary, take tissue samples for analysis.
Methods for treating lower back pain
Methods for treating lower back pain are determined by the cause of its occurrence. When musculoskeletal disorders are present, non-drug, drug or surgical treatments may be necessary.
Non-drug treatment methods:
physiotherapy – the course of treatment is selected individually depending on the existing diseases. It is important to regularly perform a set of exercises to achieve the desired effect;
physiotherapy – includes laser treatment of the lesion, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis and other procedures;
acupuncture;
therapeutic and restorative massage - can only be used if the patient does not have an exacerbation of the disease;
manual therapy and work with an osteopath.
Non-drug treatment is usually supplemented with medication.
Drug treatments
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used as the main treatment. Medicines are prescribed in the form of intramuscular and intravenous injections, tablets, ointments and creams, as well as rectal suppositories and patches applied locally.
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 helps stop the inflammation process and relieve pain.
If a patient has muscle spasms in the lower back, antispasmodics are prescribed. These medications can relieve muscle spasms in the lower back and improve overall well-being.
Medicines such as:
B vitamins, which help improve nerve conduction;
decongestants that relieve swelling of the pinched root;
sedative medications.
Surgical methods of treatment
If the doctor identifies a patient with indications for surgery, the patient undergoes surgery. However, surgery is not prescribed if the patient has a herniated disc, because this does not constitute an indication for surgery, regardless of its size. If the patient has indications for removal of a hernia, tumor or it is necessary to relieve compression of the spinal cord root, then surgical intervention is performed. The decision on the need to perform an operation is made by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the indications and condition of the patient.
Lower back pain prevention
Moderate physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are the key to a healthy back. It is important to arrange a comfortable place to sleep and constantly monitor your posture. If you spend a lot of time sitting in a seated position, you need to get up periodically and do a little warm-up. If you don't like exercising, it is advisable to walk as much as possible.
Giving up 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. Additionally, you should 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 it is necessary to lift heavy objects, this should be done using the legs, while the back should be straight. This will shift the load from the lower back muscles. And finally, do not neglect lower back pain, even if it does not cause significant discomfort. It is better to get examined and start treatment on time than to suffer serious consequences.