Complaints of back pain are one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor. Pain in this part of the body can be a manifestation of both normal fatigue caused by excessive exercise and indicate the presence of serious health problems that require competent treatment.
Back pain is an unpleasant manifestation of many diseases or severe strain on the back muscles for other reasons.
In most cases, this pathology occurs against the background of various changes in the structure of the joints of the spine, as well as adjacent muscles, nerve endings or the skin above the spine. In addition, such a symptom accompanies some diseases or dysfunctions of internal organs.
Causes of back pain
The back can hurt in cases where there is pathology of:
- spine;
- musculoskeletal system;
- internal organs.
Pain can also occur in a healthy person due to muscle pain due to significant physical exertion.
Pathology of the spine
In addition, common pathologies of the spine against which pain syndrome occurs are considered.
Osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is the most common answer to the question: "why does my back hurt? " In this pathology, degenerative changes occur in the intervertebral cartilage, which makes the cartilage thinner, the space between the vertebrae decreases and the nerve roots can be compressed. The following symptoms are characteristic of osteochondrosis pain:
- occur during or after exercise, as well as a long stay in a static position;
- may be shooting or painful;
- movement worsens the pain.
If the sciatic nerve is compressed and sciatica develops, then the pain is attributed to the buttocks, radiating to the surface of the back of the thigh. There may be a disturbance of sensitivity (tingling, numbness, burning). Lumbago often has shooting or throbbing pain that literally makes the patient freeze in place. Patients complain of being shot or bent their backs.
Injuries
Injuries are more common in falls (during icy conditions, during sports) or blows to the back during road accidents. The pain can cause both bruises and more serious injuries - fractures and sprains of the vertebral bodies. Injury pain can be of a wide variety:
- pain,
- burning,
- shooting,
- stupid.
Depending on the nature and location of the injury, pain sensations may be constant, intermittent, or pulsating. It is important to know that serious injuries are not always caused by significant blows.
For example, a compression fracture of the spine in the elderly can be caused by a slight mechanical load and on the first day after the injury the vertebra does not hurt much. In the future, if immobilization and treatment measures are not taken, the pain will increase and nerve and spinal cord damage may occur.
Any injury to the spine, even minor, at first glance, requires examination by a doctor.
Intervertebral hernia
An intervertebral hernia is a protrusion of a fragment of the intervertebral disc in the spinal canal. Most often, a hernia is the result of degenerative changes in the spine or is the result of an injury. Protrusion of the disc can occur in any part of the spine, but much more often it happens in the lumbar region, because it carries the main load.
In the initial stages of hernia formation, back pain is provoked by physical activity, occurs from time to time and is of low intensity. With the progression of the disease or the sudden loss of a disc fragment, the pain can be very intense, shooting naturally with radiation in the legs.
Patients often complain of a tingling or burning sensation in the problem area as well as in the lower or upper limbs. This indicates that there was a violation of the nerve endings. Severe pain provokes muscle spasm, which leads to a violation of posture, develops pathological kyphosis or lordosis.
Spinal curvature (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis)
When the spine is distorted to compensate for the pathological curvature, there is significant muscle tension, which leads to frequent and sometimes persistent dull back pain.
Muscle pain
85% of cases of chronic or recurrent back muscle pain are associated with excessive strain on the lower back. Even for those who do not carry significant sports loads and do not carry heavy loads, the muscles of the back experience daily tension. This is especially true for long-term static loads while sitting at a computer.
Unheated muscles can be easily injured in a sharp turn, lifting a heavy object or poor gait. Pain can occur due to inflammatory diseases of the muscles (myositis) or due to severe stress, leading to reflex spasm of muscle fibers.
infectious diseases
Tuberculosis most often affects the spine. In the vertebrae, the infection penetrates the hematogenous (blood) pathway and causes inflammation and then bone necrosis. Lumbar and thoracic pain is a characteristic feature of spinal tuberculosis, and half of the patients experience neurological symptoms - a feeling of numbness and weakness in the extremities.
In addition, spinal tuberculosis is characterized by common manifestations:
- weakness,
- sweating
- increase in body temperature,
- rapid fatigue,
- poor appetite.
Oncological diseases
In most cases, a malignant tumor does not develop in the spine itself. Cancer cells come here with the flow of blood or lymph from other foci. Most often, metastases in the spine cause cancer of the mammary glands, lungs and prostate. At first, the pain may resemble the symptoms of ordinary osteochondrosis, but then the back hurts constantly, with increasing intensity.
It is not always possible to eliminate pain with conventional painkillers; only the introduction of narcotic drugs brings relief. In many metastases, the pain is wandering in nature, covering different parts of the spine. In addition to back pain, the patient feels weak, unreasonable weight loss, fever to subfebrile numbers. The prognosis is unfavorable.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
The most common back pain occurs in pancreatitis. It has a surrounding character and is quite intense. In acute pancreatitis, the pain may be accompanied by a drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Acute pancreatitis is an indication for emergency hospitalization of the patient in a surgical hospital.
In addition to pancreatitis, the pain may radiate to the back with a peptic ulcer or an attack of biliary colic.
Diseases of the genitourinary system
Kidney disease, especially urolithiasis, often causes lumbar pain during exacerbations. If the lower back hurts, the pain is accompanied by urinary incontinence or is given in the inguinal area, then a consultation with a surgeon is necessary and women should be examined by a gynecologist to rule out inflammation of the appendages or the presence of ectopic pregnancy.
Back pain in pregnant women
Pregnant women often complain of breaking or painful back and lower back pain, especially in the later stages. This is due to the fact that in the second half of pregnancy, due to a significant increase in the uterus, the center of gravity shifts and the load on the muscles of the lower back increases. The pain is usually dull pain, intensified by changing the position of the body, especially when getting up from a chair or armchair.
What to do if your back hurts
If your back hurts for more than three days, you should consult a doctor. Seek medical attention immediately if back pain is accompanied by:
- poor general health;
- lower or sharp rise in blood pressure;
- increase in body temperature;
- malfunction of all internal organs.
You should also call a doctor if the pain is preceded by an injury or with a high intensity of pain.
Diagnosis
In most cases, the doctor will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis at the initial examination. However, additional tests are needed to determine exactly what is causing the back pain. In most cases, these are X-rays in two projections, computed tomography of the spine (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
If necessary, your doctor may prescribe a general blood and urine test, an electrocardiogram, an ultrasound of your abdomen or pelvis, and a picture of your lungs. The examination must be completed, as even the most serious diseases in the early stages of detection with appropriate treatment have a favorable prognosis.
Treatment
How to get rid of back pain, only a doctor can recommend based on examination data and test results. The main principles of therapy: elimination of severe pain and inflammation, impact on the cause of pain, rehabilitation measures aimed at accelerating the processes of tissue regeneration and restoration of normal life (physiotherapy, exercise, massage, proper nutrition).
How to relieve pain
To relieve pain, it is first necessary to limit physical activity. Of the pharmacological drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most commonly prescribed. These drugs can be taken as tablets or injections, and are also included in topical ointments. The treatment of back pain caused by muscle spasm is performed with warming ointments, alcohol compresses and a warm bath. In case of severe spasm, muscle relaxants are prescribed.
It is important to remember that in inflammatory diseases of the internal organs and on the first day after injury all thermal procedures are contraindicated. They cause deterioration of health and progression of the pathology. After elimination of the acute manifestations of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures, massage and therapeutic exercises are prescribed. If a pregnant woman's back hurts, then the use of drugs is undesirable.
Wearing a special bandage and limiting physical activity will help pregnant women relieve back pain.
Physiotherapy
Healing therapy (therapeutic gymnastics) is the basis of successful treatment of back pain in any location. A set of exercises can be recommended by a physiotherapist or a rehabilitation doctor. Classes begin with simple exercises, gradually increasing the load on the muscles and ligaments of the back and lower back.
This strengthens the muscular corset that supports the spine, balances posture, activates blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues, improves overall well-being and mood. It is illiterate to treat the back with drugs without regular exercise and proper nutrition. This will only have a temporary effect.
Physiotherapy
Such procedures as phonophoresis with drugs, magnetotherapy, laser therapy will help speed up recovery. In the period of remission it is effective to undergo mud therapy and paraffin therapy.
Prevention
To avoid back pain, it is very important to lead a healthy lifestyle, including:
- a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals;
- maintaining a normal body weight;
- regular physical education classes aimed at strengthening the muscles of the back and abdomen;
- contact a doctor in case of any diseases and their timely treatment.
Back pain requires mandatory diagnosis to determine the cause and long-term treatment, based primarily on changes in the patient's lifestyle. In the acute period of the disease the patient is assisted by pharmacological preparations. If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, the prognosis is favorable in most cases.