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 feel the slightest discomfort in the 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 the doctor is interested in when examining a patient is the intensity and frequency of pain. Depending on the cause, pain in the lower back can be of the following nature:
subacute - starts suddenly and can last from 6 to 12 weeks;
acute - occurs suddenly, is characterized by high intensity, can last about 1. 5 months;
variable (transient) – appears periodically;
chronic - can have a weak or strong intensity, lasts for 12 weeks or more;
boring;
pains;
weak, medium intensity, strong.
Pain can 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 lower back pain
In the lumbar region, there are the following systems that can cause pain:
Musculoskeletal– pain usually occurs as a result of an injury to the spine, as well as damage or tension in the muscles of the lower back.
Digestive- pain in the lower back usually "shoots", which is provoked by disturbances in the work of the gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, liver and stomach. This is observed in gastritis, the presence of stones in the bile ducts, intoxication, pancreatitis, poisoning, stomach ulcersand various forms of obstruction.
nervous– pain occurs due to hernia formation, neuropathy, pinched nerve, curvature of the spine, protrusion and inflammatory processes occurring in the vertebrae.
Genital and urinary– the pain syndrome develops if a person has urolithiasis, problems with the bladder and kidneys, various types of lesions of the ovaries and uterus.
The most common diseases that cause low back pain
Spinal distortions (scoliosis, kyphosis)
In this case, a person feels pain when the disease appears in the middle and late stages. As a rule, the pain syndrome appears at the end of the working day and may be accompanied by fatigue of the back muscles. The pain syndrome manifests itself in the form of spasms of the periarticular muscles of the lower and upper limbs, as well as the muscles of the spine and gluteal muscles.
Ankylosing spondylitis
It is an inflammatory systemic disease that is characterized by the fusion of individual vertebrae into a single entity. In parallel, there is an accumulation of calcium in the ligaments that 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;
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 disappear or decrease even if a person changes the position of the body. Usually, the attacks are accompanied by a change in the color of urine (becomes red) and a decrease in its quantity.
Pain syndrome can 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 play the role of shock absorbers. This leads to spasms of the surrounding muscles and irritation of the nerve roots, causing 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, which leads to increased pain in the lower back.
The pain syndrome intensifies if a person:
rises from a lying or sitting position;
leans sideways;
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. In addition, 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. Over time, the tissue thins, which leads to its destruction, osteophytes (specific bone growths) are formed 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 with spondyloarthrosis is of the following nature:
in 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 hip and thigh pain.
The pain syndrome with spondyloarthrosis intensifies as a result of muscle spasms that are constantly under tension. Relief of lower back pain in this case is extremely difficult.
Which specialist should you see when you have lower back pain?
Since the organs in the abdominal cavity are located quite close to each other, the symptoms of the disease can be mixed. Also, pain that lasts for a long time can be dangerous in nature. Therefore, before treatment, it is important to undergo a diagnosis, one of the specialists can refer you to an examination:
Neurologist– when the patient experiences sharp "shooting" pain in the spine, which is accompanied by a partial loss of sensitivity and mobility. When the pain intensifies after changing the position of the body or staying at rest for a long time.
Surgeon or traumatologist– due to a fall, injury or intense sport.
Nephrologist or urologist- with frequent or difficult urination, which is accompanied by pain in the lumbar region, as well as if there is a 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 present only on one side and has a pulling character.
Gynecologist- if the pain is felt on one or both sides, it can be accompanied by general weakness and increase during physical activity. When pain is felt during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
If a person knows the cause of pain in the lower back, then there is no need to consult a specialist (heavy physical activity - the pain usually disappears in one or two days). In other cases, you should pay attention to such symptoms and go to an appointment with a specialist 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 to see the real cause of the pain in the lower back.
Roentgen– if the patient has a hernia, injuries, scoliosis. But this method allows you to see only bone tissue.
CT– if there is a hernia, neuropathy, protrusions, neoplasms or suffered spinal trauma. Computed tomography is ideal for patients who are contraindicated for MRI.
MRI– indications are similar to CT. The method is highly accurate and allows for the most detailed examination of the necessary organs.
Colonoscopy and gastroscopy– if the patient is diagnosed with diseases of the digestive system. These examinations allow you to take a good look at the abdominal organs and, if necessary, take tissue samples for analysis.
Methods for treating low back pain
The methods of treatment of low back pain are determined by the cause of their occurrence. When musculoskeletal disorders are present, non-drug, drug or surgical treatment may be required.
Non-drug treatment methods:
physiotherapy - the course of treatment is selected individually based on existing diseases. It is important to regularly perform a set of exercises to get the desired effect;
physiotherapy - includes laser treatment of the lesion, magnetotherapy, 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 by drugs.
Drug treatments
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used as the main therapy. Medicines are prescribed in the form of intramuscular and intravenous injections, tablets, ointments and creams, as well as rectal suppositories and patches that are applied locally.
The dosage and duration of treatment are determined by the doctor. Uncontrolled use of drugs 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 inflammation process and relieve pain.
If the patient has muscle spasms in the lower back, antispasmodics are prescribed. Such drugs can relieve muscle spasms in the lower back and improve general well-being.
Medicines such as:
Vitamins of group B, which help 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, as this is not an indication for surgery, regardless of size. If the patient has indications for the removal of a hernia, a tumor or it is necessary to relieve the compression of the root of the spinal cord, then surgical intervention is performed. The decision on the need to perform an operation is made by the doctor individually, depending on the indications and the condition of the patient.
Prevention of lower back pain
Moderate physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are the keys 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 in a sitting position, then you should periodically get up and do a little warm-up. If you do not like to do sports, 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. You should also try to keep your lower back warm at all times. The fact is that cold air can provoke the development of diseases of the internal organs and cause inflammation of the nerves.
If there is a need to lift heavy objects, this should be done with the help of the legs, while the back should be straight. This will shift the load from the lower back muscles. Finally, do not ignore lower back pain, even if it does not cause severe discomfort. It is better to be examined and start treatment on time than to deal with serious consequences.