Back pain is one of the most common reasons for visiting a neurologist among working people.According to statistics, 9 out of 10 people experience discomfort in the lower part at least once in their lifetime, and about 9% of cases result in disability.The first episode is most often recorded before the age of 30.From the age of 30 to 60 years, the risk of morbidity increases.
Unfortunately, young people don't always pay attention to the warning signs.Many people believe that lower back pain is due to hard work, physical activity, or sitting at a computer for a long time.But in fact, it may be a symptom of a serious illness.Back pain can be caused by various pathologies: from spinal column problems to kidney failure.Only a timely visit to the doctor will help determine the cause and carry out the correct treatment.
Possible causes of lower back pain: What hurts?
Ankylosing spondylitis
Lumbar pain syndrome occurs due to the fusion of the vertebrae into a large conglomerate.The back loses mobility at the bottom.With ankylosing spondylitis, calcium deposits are also observed in the ligaments that hold the spine, which also causes pain when trying to turn, stand, or perform other actions.
Distinctive symptoms of pathology:
- stiffness of body movements in the lumbar region;
- Increased pain after prolonged immobility, especially after a night's sleep.
Osteochondrosis
This disease manifests itself as a thinning of the intervertebral disc.As a result, the shock absorption function of the spine is reduced, the nerve roots are pinched, and the muscles around the affected area spasm.The person feels acute pain.Without treatment, osteochondrosis progresses, leading to disc protrusions and herniations.Protrusion of cartilage tissue compresses the spinal cord.A person not only suffers from severe back pain, but also the conservation of the lower legs is disturbed.
Distinctive signs of osteochondrosis:
- The pain worsens when trying to roll from your back to your stomach, when getting up from a horizontal or sitting position, or while bending over;
- Patients often report weakness and numbness in one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
The lower back may be painful due to degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue that covers the intervertebral discs.The elastic layer becomes thinner, and osteophytes -hard bone formations in their place.The distance between the vertebrae decreases with simultaneous compression of the spinal canal.
Nature of pain in spondyloarthrosis:
- accompanied by limited mobility of the spine in the lower part, up to constant stiffness;
- worse after walking, sitting, standing, and other stress;
- radiating to the pelvis and thighs.
Urolithiasis
A pathological attack is indicated by a sharp and severe pain in the back of the affected kidney.The severity and nature of the sensation does not change depending on the position of the body.The patient could not find a position where it would be easier.
An attack of urolithiasis is accompanied by additional specific symptoms:
- back pain in the lower back;
- the amount of urine decreases, the color changes, and blood impurities appear;
- Pain occurs when urinating;
- There may be an increase in temperature due to inflammation.
Other causes of pain and spasms in the lower back
Lumbar pain syndrome is observed in the following conditions:
- pregnancy, including early pregnancy;
- algomenorrhea in women;
- osteomyelitis;
- appendicitis;
- inflammation of the pancreas;
- intestinal pathology;
- back injury;
- tumors in the lumbar region;
- inflammatory process 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 blow.Try to take the most comfortable position.If the pain is acute and does not subside when changing position, call an ambulance - renal colic is possible, which requires hospitalization.In other cases, you can use ointments and tablets to reduce the condition.Contact an expert as soon as possible.The doctor will help relieve severe pain and prescribe treatment.
Diagnosis of lower back pain
At the first appointment, the doctor can make restrictions to relieve acute pain.When the patient feels better, the doctor conducts a more thorough examination and collects anamnesis.It is important to clarify the location, nature, duration of pain, factors that cause harm or, on the contrary, improve well-being.The doctor will ask about past injuries and illnesses, starting in early childhood.The history helps suggest why the back hurts and what diagnostic procedures will provide more complete information.
The doctor may prescribe:
- General analysis of urine and blood.Based on the results, they diagnose the inflammatory process, determine the pathological signs of the kidneys and digestive organs;
- Ultrasound of the kidney and urinary system.Examination is required if urolithiasis is suspected.Using ultrasound, the doctor determines the localization and degree of spread of the inflammatory process, evaluates the size of the stone to develop the correct treatment tactics;
- X-ray of the lumbar spine.The images help determine the pathology of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues.To clarify X -ray, CT or MRI is also prescribed - this is a more informative method of examination;
- Pelvic ultrasound.When a woman experiences back pain, this may indicate endometritis or salpingo-oophoritis.Pregnant women must be examined to determine the tone of the uterus;
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland.If a man has lower back pain, this may be a sign of inflammation or a prostate tumor.The doctor does a scan to determine the structure of the gland.
After a general examination, the doctor can prescribe a more targeted procedure.In some cases, consultations with surgeons, therapists, gynecologists, and other specialists are required to clarify the diagnosis.
Lower 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 data to suggest a diagnosis.Therapy for colic and renal osteochondrosis is fundamentally different.
Drug treatment
To reduce pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most often prescribed in the form of injections, ointments, and tablets.These drugs help quickly relieve inflammation and muscle spasms.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have side effects, so doctors accurately calculate the dose and duration of the course for each patient.
If treatment for back pain does not bring results within 2-3 days, the doctor chooses hormonal drugs.Medicines are only needed to relieve acute conditions.Antispasmodics, decongestants, and B vitamins are prescribed as additional agents.If the patient has back pain and back pain when urinating, antibiotics can be chosen.The doctor will tell you why this or that medicine is needed and how to take it correctly.
Non-drug treatment
This procedure is carried out in courses after the severity is relieved.In the complex treatment of pain, the following are used:
- Physiotherapy: Radiofrequency Neuromodulation, Electrophoresis, Phonophoresis, Magnetic Therapy;
- Physical Therapy: A set of daily exercises selected by the doctor, exercises in the pool;
- Massage: Therapeutic on the lower back and buttocks and general strengthening;
- acupuncture, hirudotherapy and other procedures.
Surgical treatment
This operation is carried out strictly according to the instructions.If the patient has lower back pain and has a temperature that does not decrease while taking medication, the removal of the inflammatory focus is necessary.Radical intervention is required for tumors and metastases.
In the case of pathology of the female genital organs, when the lower abdomen hurts, diagnostic curettage and laparoscopic surgery are performed.If urolithiasis cannot be removed with the help of drugs, the patient is also indicated for surgical treatment.
You cannot tolerate pain and discomfort in the lower part.The body is giving you a signal that you need to pay attention to this area.