Lower back pain is one of the most common and therefore 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. Therefore, if you experience the slightest discomfort in your back, it is important to seek help from a doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe effective treatment.
Types of pain
The first thing a doctor is interested in when examining a patient is the intensity and frequency of pain. Depending on the cause, pain in the lower back may be of the following nature:
subacute – begins abruptly and can last from 6 to 12 weeks;
acute – occurs suddenly, is characterized by high intensity, can last about 1. 5 months;
variable (transient) – occurs periodically;
chronic - can have weak or strong intensity, lasts from 12 weeks or longer;
dull;
aching;
weak, medium intensity, strong.
Pain may vary depending on the cause. In this case, the duration and intensity of sensations may vary. Therefore, when visiting a doctor, it is important to describe your feelings as accurately as possible.
Common causes of low back pain
In the lumbar region there are the following systems that can cause pain:
Musculoskeletal– pain usually occurs as a result of a spinal injury, as well as damage or strain in the muscles of the lower back.
Digestive– the pain in the lower back usually "shoots", which is provoked by disturbances 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 has urolithiasis, problems with the bladder and kidneys, lesions of the ovaries and uterus of various types.
The most common diseases that cause low back pain
Spinal curvatures (scoliosis, kyphosis)
In this case, a person experiences 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 gluteal muscles.
Ankylosing spondylitis
It is an inflammatory systemic disease, which is characterized by the fusion of individual vertebrae into one whole. In parallel, there is an accumulation of calcium in the ligaments that stabilize the spinal column. This can lead to complete loss of mobility.
Ankylosing spondylitis is accompanied by the following lower back pain:
stiffness of movements in the lumbar region;
a strong increase in intensity when a person is at rest for a long time.
Urolithiasis disease
Attacks manifest themselves in the form of severe pain in the lumbar region, which is caused by the affected kidney. The pain does not go away and does not subside, even if the person changes body position. Typically, attacks are accompanied by a change in the color of urine (it becomes red) and a decrease in its quantity.
Pain syndrome may result from:
inflammatory process in the pancreas;
intestinal obstruction;
painful menstruation (algomenorrhea);
osteomyelitis;
pregnancy;
appendicitis.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
One of the most common diseases, which is characterized by thinning of the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. This leads to spasms of the surrounding muscles and irritation of the nerve roots, which causes severe pain. If the disease is diagnosed at 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;
tries to lie on his stomach.
If, as a result of the development of the disease, a massive hernia has formed in the spine, the pain in the lumbar region will only intensify. Moreover, the pain syndrome may be accompanied by weakness or numbness in one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
It is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the cartilage tissue that covers the intervertebral discs. The tissue becomes thinner over time, which leads to its destruction; osteophytes (specific bone 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.
Pain with spondyloarthrosis is of the following nature:
at the initial stage it appears only in the morning, subsequently 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 with spondyloarthrosis intensifies as a result of muscle spasms that are constantly under tension. Relieving lower back pain in this case is extremely difficult.
Which specialist should you contact when your lower back hurts?
Since the organs in the abdominal cavity are located quite close to each other, the symptoms of the disease can be mixed. Moreover, aching pain that is present for a long time can be girdling in nature. Therefore, before treatment, it is important to undergo diagnostics; one of the specialists can refer you for examination:
Neurologist– when the patient experiences acute pain with "shooting" in the spine, which is accompanied by partial loss of sensitivity and mobility. When the pain intensifies after changing body position or staying at rest for a long time.
Surgeon or traumatologist– due to a fall, injury or intense sports.
Nephrologist or urologist– with frequent or difficult urination, which is accompanied by aching pain in the lumbar region, as well as if there is acute pain on one side of the lumbar region.
Gastroenterologist– when the pain syndrome is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, weakness, and digestive system disorders. If the pain is present only on one side and is of a pulling nature.
Gynecologist– if 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, then there is no need to contact a specialist (severe physical activity - the pain usually goes away in one or two days). In other cases, you should pay attention to such symptoms and go to an appointment with a specialized doctor.
How to diagnose low back pain - diagnostic methods:
Ultrasound– if there is a suspicion of diseases of the pelvic or abdominal organs. It can be prescribed even to children, but it does not always allow one to see the true cause of lower back pain.
X-ray– if the patient has hernias, injuries, scoliosis. But this method allows you to see only bone tissue.
CT– if there are hernias, neuropathy, protrusions, neoplasms, or spinal injuries have been sustained. Computed tomography is ideal for patients who are contraindicated for magnetic resonance imaging.
MRI– indications are similar to CT. The method is highly accurate and makes it possible 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 get a good look at the abdominal organs and, if necessary, take tissue samples for analysis.
Treatment methods for low back pain
Treatment methods for low back pain are determined by the cause of its occurrence. When musculoskeletal disorders are present, non-drug, drug or surgical treatments may be required.
Non-drug treatment methods:
physical therapy – the course of treatment is selected individually based on existing diseases. It is important to perform a set of exercises regularly to get the desired effect;
physiotherapy – includes laser treatment of the lesion, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis and other procedures;
acupuncture;
therapeutic and restorative massage - can be used only 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 medications.
Drug treatments
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used as the main therapy. The drugs are prescribed in the form of intramuscular and intravenous injections, tablets, ointments and creams, as well as rectal suppositories and patches that are applied topically.
The dosage and duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. Uncontrolled use of medications can lead to side effects.
If taking NSAIDs does not give the desired effect, then the doctor prescribes corticosteroids (hormonal drugs). Taking them allows you to stop the process of inflammation and relieve pain.
If a patient has muscle spasms in the lower back, he is prescribed antispasmodics. Such drugs can relieve muscle spasms in the lower back and improve overall well-being.
Drugs such as:
B vitamins, which helps improve nerve conduction;
decongestants that relieve swelling of the pinched root;
sedative drugs.
Surgical methods of treatment
If the doctor identifies a patient with indications for surgery, then the patient undergoes surgery. However, surgery is not prescribed if the patient has a herniated disc, since this is not an indication for surgery, regardless of size. If the patient has indications for removal of a hernia, tumor, or there is a need to relieve compression of the spinal cord root, then surgical intervention is performed. The decision on the need to perform any operation is made by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the indications and condition of the patient.
Prevention of lower back pain
Moderate physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are the key to a healthy back. It is important to organize a comfortable place to sleep and constantly monitor your posture. If you spend a lot of time sitting in a sitting position, then you need to periodically get up and do a little warm-up. If you do not like to exercise, then 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. In addition, you need to 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 there is a need to lift any heavy objects, then 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, don't ignore lower back pain, even if it doesn't cause severe discomfort. It is better to get examined and start treatment in a timely manner than to deal with serious consequences.