Back, back pain

If a person has worked hard at the reflex level, played intense sports, or covered a long distance, he puts his hand on his back while standing and relaxing. This part of the body that suffers and hurts after tension is explained very simply. The spine is the mainstay of the human skeleton. It connects all the joints and takes on most of the stress in any movement. Therefore, it is completely natural if your back hurts and hurts after work or exercise.

However, the causes of low back pain are not always very common. Low back pain is often a sign of serious disorders in the human body; especially if the pain is severe and recurrent can not be ignored. This is a sign that an unknown pathology is already progressing and causing more damage to the body every day. It is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible: negligent problems of the spine are difficult to treat and the patient may remain in a wheelchair.

This is interesting:Researchers believe that back pain is a result of human evolution and, more precisely, bipedal movement. In animals moving on four limbs, the loads are evenly distributed. A person has to pay for the royal posture and the ability to walk on two legs with load distribution, curvature of the vertebrae and back pain.

What can cause back pain

Your back can hurt in different ways. Sometimes the pain is sharp, unbearable, the patient feels an unbearable burning sensation and a sharp limitation of movement. More often, patients complain of back pain, which usually occurs in the evening, may wake up in the middle of the night, may worsen when the weather changes or after physical exertion.

Morning stiffness, back pain "for the weather" and joint failure after exercise are the first signs.

Back pain is always accompanied by additional symptoms, you should definitely pay attention and inform your doctor about your observations. Depending on the accompanying symptoms, it will be easier to determine the true cause of low back pain. Thus, what symptoms and criteria will be of diagnostic value:

• Duration (severity) of pain. It is called acute pain syndrome, which lasts for up to three months. If it occurs periodically for four months or more, has a different intensity, then it is already called chronic.
• Localization. Back pain that spreads to the back is commonly called lumbodynia in medicine. If the pain affects the leg, it is lumboischialgia. Also, unpleasant feelings can occur at the same time only on the right, left or both sides.
• The nature of pain. This criterion is of paramount importance. The pain can be acute and localized at once, and can be predicted in the limbs, thighs, groin, hypochondrium, or lower abdomen. The pain is severe, dull or throbbing. The most difficult thing is to correctly diagnose joint pain.
• Effects on joint mobility. The doctor will make sure that there is stiffness in the spine, limbs and hip joints, and in what condition and for how long.
• Time indicator. It is also important when and after which the ark starts to hurt. This is always the case, in the morning, in the evening, at night, after stress, when you turn your head, walk, bend, and so on. - The answers to all these questions are extremely important for a correct diagnosis.

Note:According to doctors' statistics, more than 80% of the European population has experienced back pain at least once in their lives. More than 25% of medical referrals are due to discomfort and pain in the lower back. In addition, 8 out of 10 patients are active young people between the ages of 35 and 45. Retirees are less likely to complain of back pain, and even fewer young people.

Reasons

All causes of low back pain can be divided into two broad categories:

• physiological caused by external factors in general;
• pathology associated with diseases of the internal organs.

Physiological causes include:

• excessive physical activity while playing sports;
• lifting and carrying weight at work or training;
• hard work at home or in the country;
• hypothermia, prolonged stay in a humid room.

Age, combined with physical labor, is enough for back pain.

The pathological causes of back pain, in turn, may be associated with spinal diseases or age-related changes in their structures - this pain syndrome is called primary. If low back pain is caused by a malfunction of other organs, such as the kidneys, it is called secondary - in this case it is necessary to establish a background disease with the help of additional specific studies and treat two pathologies at the same time.

Diseases and conditions that can damage the lower back:

• osteochondrosis (spondylosis) - previously diagnosed mainly in the elderly, now it is found at any age;
• intervertebral hernia - occurs at any age, in young people, usually after excessive strength sports;
• neuralgia of a different nature;
• arthritis and osteoarthritis, any inflammatory process of the joints;
• rheumatism and other diseases of autoimmune origin;
• radiculitis;
• dysfunction of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism);
• inflammation of the renal pelvis - pyelonephritis;
• Inflammation of the genitourinary system.

Back or leg injuries are also painful. To determine the exact cause, you must undergo a series of examinations, the mandatory minimum of which is an external examination by a specialist, urine and blood laboratory tests, X-rays, electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the kidneys and urogenital organs. . If necessary, additional diagnostic measures will be prescribed.

In women, back pain can be caused by cystitis or inflammation of the appendages.

Spinal diseases as a cause of back pain

If the X-ray shows a deformity of the vertebrae, thickening and enlargement with the formation of thorny bone growths along the edges, the doctor diagnoses osteochondrosis or spondylosis. Until recently, this pathology was considered a disease of retirees, and the main reason for this was called natural age-related changes in the body, slowing of metabolic processes and erosion of the vertebrae.

Today, it has been proven that osteochondrosis can be triggered by a number of other factors in young people and even adolescents. Stimulation for degenerative changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs:

• insufficient physical activity due to overweight or chronic diseases that limit mobility;
• sedentary work;
• metabolic diseases during the diet, for example, as a result, the spinal structures do not receive enough nutrients and wear out prematurely;
• improper exercise - without warming up muscles and ligaments, without a gradual increase in loads and without control over the lifting of loads.

With osteochondrosis, as the progression progresses, the intervertebral discs become deformed - they become flat, dense and rough. The affected disc can easily squeeze the nerve root that comes out of the spine and causes inflammation. In addition, nerve roots are injured by bone spinal processes. The patient feels it as a sharp, sharp pain, and at the same time limited mobility in the lower back. This condition is called sciatica.

In spondylosis, bone growths along the edges of the vertebrae damage the nerve roots, leading to acute pain syndrome.

Inflammatory processes in the spine can begin to develop during adolescence and adolescence. It manifests itself as recurrent back pain, sometimes bothersome at night. Then morning stiffness, fatigue and decreased physical activity join them. In the advanced stages, the spine undergoes severe deformation, changes a person's posture and gait, and a caterpillar is formed. Rheumatoid arthritis can develop over years, in some cases up to ten years. Because the course of the disease is slow, the symptoms are often blurred, and the patient does not go to the doctor, trying to cope with the discomfort with improvised means. For this reason, inflammation of the vertebral joints causes more disability than other pathologies.

If the patient talks about discomfort in other joints (shoulder, leg, knee, hand) during the survey, he may suspect pain in the thighs, decreased visual acuity, fecal incontinence, spondyloarthritis. A rheumatologist treats such a pathology, his consultation is urgently needed, because the pathology progresses rapidly and causes irreversible changes in bone and joint structures.

Diseases not related to the spine as a cause of pain

Sometimes back pain causes organ diseases that have nothing to do with the spine at first glance. Myofascial pain syndrome is a common cause of pain that is not accompanied by other symptoms of spinal pathology. Generally, young women consult a doctor with complaints of back pain after a hard day at the gym or after a long stay in a position after work.

Pain in myofascial syndrome is not associated with damage to the spinal joints and is easily relieved with analgesics, massage and NSAIDs.

During the examination, the doctor can easily detect points near the spine when pressure is applied to the pain. The pain is caused by excessive tension of the muscle tissues, nerve roots and joint elements do not suffer. This situation does not pose a great threat to the patient's health, but can significantly reduce the quality of life. For treatment, the doctor prescribes muscle relaxants - drugs that promote muscle relaxation and short-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in minimal doses. It is recommended to regulate rest and sleep and monitor physical activity.

Other joint pathologies that may be accompanied by back pain:

• Cholecystitis and pancreatitis. The pain is localized in the right hypochondrium and can be projected to the lower right side of the back.
• Appendicitis. In some cases, sharp, stabbing pains spread from the right side to the lower back. Additional symptoms of inflammation of the appendix: swelling, fecal incontinence, nausea, vomiting, severe pallor, fever.
• Renal dysfunction, urolithiasis. Depending on which kidney is inflamed, there will be pain on the right or left side of the lower back. If a stone comes out with urolithiasis, the back hurts very badly, and in difficult cases, the body temperature may rise.
• Obesity. Excessive weight puts heavy loads on the lower back, which causes back pain and discomfort.
• Osteomyelitis. Bone infections are accompanied by severe pain and fever.

If the examination does not reveal any visible damage to the spine or other joints, if there is no disease in the internal organs, it makes sense to donate blood for signs of tumors and conduct an MRI of the spine. As malignant tumors grow, they put pressure on the nerve roots and at the same time cause pain. Pain syndrome is characteristic of stage 3-4 cancer.

Low back pain may be a sign of appendicitis.

Why does back pain in women?

If women have severe back pain in the lower back, you should first review your individual calendar. Pain can be bothersome before menstruation, but also pulls the lower abdomen, swelling of the mammary glands, nausea in the patient, some suffer from migraines, food intolerances or, conversely, thirst.

Approximately the same symptoms are a sign of pregnancy. Therefore, if menstruation does not begin for several days and the pain and discomfort persist, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test and see a gynecologist.

It can also be caused by gynecological diseases. Adnexitis usually manifests itself by pain in the lower abdomen. But sometimes the waist spreads down. Similar sensations occur when ovarian cysts bend. With the onset of menopause, many women complain of a burning sensation in the lower back and stiffness. In any case, a therapist or rheumatologist will recommend that you see a gynecologist.

Causes of pain in men

In men, back pain is mainly caused by professional activities - driving for hours, working on a computer, lifting and lifting weights, doing professional sports.

But at the same time, pain in the right or left side of the back can be one of the pathological symptoms, such as prostatitis or epididymitis. It should be examined by an andrologist to rule out or confirm pathologies.

Men with low back pain should consult an andrologist to rule out prostatitis.

When and what treatment is needed

Even with very strong, persistent back pain, most patients do not believe that they need serious treatment and expect only one thing from the doctor - a good painkiller that will help immediately and for a long time. Unfortunately, there is no such drug. Pain syndrome can be relieved with injections and pills, but the effect will not be long-lasting because the cause of anxiety is not eliminated. Treatment methods will be determined according to what causes back pain.

Bruises and muscle spasms

The first thing to do is to give your back a complete rest. This means not exercising, lifting weights, standing too much, walking, running, jumping, or getting too cold. Getting rid of extra pounds is recommended with a sedentary work and sedentary lifestyle, but you should think about saving sports - for example, yoga, Pilates, swimming. In the future, you will need to reconsider your habits and adjust the load on your spine.

What to do before visiting the doctor:

• take a non-analgesic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in the minimum dose;
• straighten the lower back with a corset that does not fit - a towel or scarf;
• To reduce swelling, drink herbal tea, which has a diuretic effect.

What the doctor will recommend:

• short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle relaxant to relieve muscle spasm and tension;
• massage and back warming (in the absence of inflammatory processes);
• B group vitamins.

If you follow all the recommendations, the pain will disappear completely in 7-14 days.

Don't forget!If you notice an increase in body temperature, pain in the leg or other parts of the body, limited mobility or other atypical symptoms, you should never seek the help of manotherapy, warming or massage. yourself. It is also not recommended to take painkillers, as this will complicate the diagnosis.

Spinal pathology

Early joint diseases are treated in the same way as bruises or other injuries. In addition, doctors may prescribe chondroprotectors - drugs that protect joint structures from destruction and stimulate their recovery.

Compression fractures of the spine, extensive hernias of the intervertebral discs, severe forms of osteochondrosis or spondyloarthritis, surgical intervention are indicated. Depending on the detected disorder, the operation can be simple and is performed under local anesthesia or in several stages over a period of six months. Any operation of any complexity will require antibiotic administration, dressings, and physical therapy for complete rehabilitation.

Modern technologies allow minimally invasive interventions to the spine with minimal risk of complications.

Today, spinal surgery is no longer an exception, it has accumulated a rich and diverse experience, there is special equipment that allows you to solve almost any problem. Therefore, if the situation worsens and the doctor recommends an operation, there is no point in postponing. The sooner it is done, the better your chances of getting rid of the pain and restoring spinal function.

Useful tips

Timely and effective treatment of low back pain is often difficult for a simple reason - the patient does not know which doctor to consult. If the pain is an injury before, everything is simple - you need to see a traumatologist. Most likely, he will prescribe analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and then recommend various physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, massage and exercise therapy. This is the standard treatment for spinal injuries.

The problem is that the nerve endings can be affected when you hit or fall. And then you need to hire a neurologist who will recommend your treatment. The rheumatologist or orthopedist will have his own opinion. And if the examination reveals pathology of any of the internal organs, for example, the genitourinary system, the patient will be completely confused about what to treat and who to listen to. By the way, many people abandon official medical methods and resort to non-traditional, that is, folk remedies, resulting in worsening of the condition and the development of complications.

Doctors misdiagnose and prescribe the wrong treatment, which leads to the development and complications of the disease.

What to do in such a situation? Do not panic or rush, but go through the prescribed course of treatment to the end, paying attention to your feelings and well-being. If after two or four weeks the back hurts equally and there is not the slightest improvement, it makes sense to contact another doctor and have a second examination to reconsider the accuracy of the diagnosis. It makes no sense to change one analgesic to another and do UHF instead of electrophoresis.

When it comes to treating your back with homeopathic remedies at home, we should not take people here and recklessly believe in the promises of traditional doctors. A mature adult should understand: traditional treatments are good in remission, when the condition is stable, or to prevent relapses and complications. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, as an autoimmune disease, herbal tinctures can not cure in any way.

Herbs will help improve the overall tone of the body, but are less likely to help with hernias, disc herniation, or compression fractures.

If the right decision is that you always have back pain and the doctor's appointments at the regional clinic are ineffective, go to a reliable private clinic and get examined there. It's not free, but you'll find the real cause and start the right treatment, and you won't have to experiment with folk remedies and standard painkillers that have no therapeutic effect.

Summary:Almost all adults experience back pain at least once in their lives. In fact, there can be many causes: from banal overwork, to serious pathology of the spine, kidneys, infection or metabolic diseases in the body. It is important to accurately and correctly identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment as soon as possible. The spine is the main joint in the human skeleton, and in the absence of adequate medical care, dysfunction and destruction will inevitably lead to loss of mobility and disability.