Low back pain (lower back pain, lumbago, aching or pulling sensation in the lumbar region) is a common complaint of patients when they consult a doctor.According to medical statistics, at least 70% of the population experiences such symptoms at least once in their lifetime.In addition, in 10% of cases, attacks of lower back pain become chronic.
The structure of the symptoms is as follows:
- 80-85% - non-specific low back pain.Symptoms subside within a few weeks;
- 10-15% - spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, which causes compression of the nerve root;
- 1-2% - specific syndrome caused by oncopathology and diseases of internal organs.
Pain in the lumbar region ranks second among all diseases in the frequency of issuing a temporary disability certificate and third.In order to prevent the recurrence of the pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.
Types of lower back pain
Depending on the duration of the pain syndrome:
- Acute pain.It appears suddenly, as a reaction to new damage.Lasts 6 weeks;
- Subacute pain.Több mint 12 hétig tart - ez a sérült szövetek normál gyógyulásának időszaka;
- Recurring pain.The syndrome appears no less than six months after the previous exacerbation.Between relapses, the symptoms disappear completely;
- Exacerbation of chronic low back pain.Difference from relapse: the interval between attacks is less than 6 months, symptoms may disappear, but not completely.
According to etiopathogenesis, lower back pain:
- Primary.The symptom occurs due to functional and/or dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, joints, fascia, tendons, and muscles;
- Secondary.The cause of frequent lower back pain is congenital disorders of the spine (spinal curvature, lumbarization, etc.), back injuries, arthritis, projection pain resulting from pathologies of the intestines, stomach, abdominal aorta, and organs of the urogenital system.
What is back pain?
Most often, patients complain of sharp and severe pain in the lower back, which is also called shooting, throbbing or lumbago.Movement of the back is limited.Sometimes a person remains in a bent position and cannot straighten up.Sharp pain in the lower back ("shooter" in the back) intensifies with any movement.The main cause of this condition is chronic diseases of the lumbar spine.An acute attack can last from a few minutes to several weeks.In some cases, the pain subsides so much that you get used to it.Full recovery is possible without repeated attacks.
Lower back pain is a common symptom of chronic diseases of the internal organs and spine.The feelings are not expressed, but they cause discomfort.Aching pain in the lumbar region may intensify with low bending, physical activity, after infection or hypothermia.Even if the symptoms completely disappear, the stiffness and discomfort in the back will remain.
Symptoms that should not be ignored
If acute or dull lower back pain is accompanied by one or more symptoms from the list below, consult a doctor immediately.
Warning signs:
- numbness in arms or legs, tingling sensation, "cotton-like" limbs;
- pain in the hip joints and knees;
- leg cramps;
- menstrual disorders in women;
- sexual impotence in men;
- increased pain when sitting;
- inability to stand for long periods of time;
- rapid weight loss;
- increased temperature, fever;
- critical abnormalities in blood tests;
- Age over 50 years;
- lack of dynamics during "routine" treatment for 4 weeks.
The doctor of the clinic determines the cause of the pain and helps alleviate the aggravation.After that, an examination and comprehensive treatment will be required under medical supervision.
What pathologies can cause acute pain in the lumbar region
Diseases of the locomotor system
Pinched sciatic nerve.A sharp, shooting pain occurs in the lower back, caused by the compression of the nerve roots by the closely spaced vertebrae.The cause of this phenomenon is osteochondrosis - degenerative changes of these discs.The tissues gradually die, the space between the vertebrae decreases, and any sudden movement can pinch the nerve.The pain is often accompanied by the throbbing of compressed blood vessels.
Sciatica (lumbosacral radiculitis).As a result of pinching, the nerve roots become inflamed and radiculitis develops.If the sciatic nerve is affected, the condition is called sciatica.In cases of lumbosacral radiculitis, lumbar ischialgia is often observed - severe pain in the lower back and leg on the affected side.
Osteochondrosis (spondylosis).The vertebrae become denser, deformed and covered with osteophytes - bone growths that look like sharp spikes.For a long time, it was believed that osteochondrosis was the result of age-related degenerative changes, but now the diagnosis is getting "younger" every year.A sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work contribute to changes in the intervertebral discs even at the age of 25-30.Osteophytes irritate and compress the roots, causing pain.
Intervertebral disc herniation.A fragment of joint tissue protrudes into the spinal canal.A hernia can develop after a back injury or as a result of osteochondrosis.
Inflammatory diseases of the spine.Pathology can develop for several years without showing itself in any way.The disease begins at a young age and gradually leads to disability.The reason for such a disappointing prognosis is that patients suffer constant pain at night, which disturbs sleep, and do not attach importance to morning stiffness.Several years pass from the appearance of the first symptoms to the time you consult a doctor.Chronic inflammation leads to irreversible changes in the spine, motor activity decreases, a hump appears, etc.
Spondyloarthritis.Pathologies such as Crohn's disease and seronegative spondyloarthritis can cause pain in the lumbar region.The main symptom is accompanied by inflammation of the joints of the knees, feet or hands, pain in the buttocks, blurred vision, and unstable stools of an unusual consistency.
Other diseases.Sharp pain in the lumbar region occurs with myositis - inflammation of the lumbar muscles as a result of tension or hypothermia.The symptom is also characteristic of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, degenerative sacroiliitis and other pathologies.
Diseases of internal organs
The cause of lower back pain is often pathology of the kidneys, internal genital organs and urinary tract.The condition requires careful diagnosis and medical monitoring, as many complications are irreversible.
Lumbar pain resulting from kidney pathology differs from the consequences of locomotor system disorders in its permanence and independence from movement or body position.Be especially careful if you experience symptoms such as cloudy urine, frequent or painful urination, etc.
Diseases of the genital organs
Both women and men can experience severe lower back pain due to various pathologies of the reproductive system.This is how sexually transmitted infections and inflammation of tissues and organs manifest.
Lower back pain in women often occurs during menstruation and is accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen.This can be considered a variant of the norm.If your period is very strong, accompanied by increased pressure and poor health, it is better to visit a pregnancy clinic and have a hormone test.Menstruation can be normalized with properly selected drugs.
In men, lower back pain can be a sign of prostate problems.You need to make an appointment with a urologist and undergo an examination.
Pancreatitis
When the entire pancreas becomes inflamed, pain surrounds the back in the lumbar region.Possible radiation to the coccyx, left thigh, perineum.Belt pain starts to worsen after eating and is aggravated by physical activity.Walking, jumping and other exercises cause the pancreatic capsule to stretch and the nerve endings to react.
What to do if you have severe back pain
If you experience sharp pain at home or at work, you should lie down on a hard hard surface and place a pillow under your bent knees so that your legs are at right angles to your body.Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.You can tie a shawl or a warm scarf around your lower back to warm your back a bit.
If these measures do not provide relief, you should call a doctor or emergency medical help at home.If you feel better, do not wait for another pain attack and find time to go to the medical center, first make an appointment with a family doctor - he will comprehensively assess your health, make a preliminary diagnosis, prepare an initial examination plan, prescribe appropriate symptomatic treatment and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist.
Expert advice
Modern advertising offers many "quick" solutions for back pain: various gels, ointments and plasters.Some of them provide relief, but they should not be used continuously without medical supervision.In some cases, warming gels can only harm.Therefore, if you have lower back pain, you should see a doctor even if you have managed to suppress the symptoms.
Diagnosing lower back pain
During the first meeting, the doctor questions the patient, finds out how long the symptoms have been present, the dynamics of their development, and the presence of accompanying complaints.The doctor takes into account exactly how it hurts - on the left or right side, whether the pain is dull, aching, sharp or throbbing, the duration of the attacks and other details to make a preliminary diagnosis.In many typical cases, general medical treatment is possible.
Most often, if there are signs of a serious disease of the spine or internal organs, the patient is referred for further examinations:
- Blood test.A low hemoglobin level indicates the probable presence of a tumor, an increase in ESR indicates inflammation or infection, etc.
- Urine test.The results of the test determine the health of the kidneys and urinary tract.Deviations in the results of the analysis directly indicate an ultrasound of the urinary system and further examination by a urologist;
- X-ray of the lumbar spine.The photographs show the proximity of the vertebrae due to certain arthritis, various structural disorders, and degenerative changes.Based on the X-ray, the doctor can assume osteoporosis and see fractures;
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).A non-X-ray method of examining patients that allows you to get many images (slices) of the area of interest and its three-dimensional image.Unlike radiography and computed tomography, MRI provides information not only on the condition of bones, but also on the condition of muscles, blood vessels and soft tissues.
Treatment of back and lower back pain
Uncomplicated forms of pain, which are not associated with serious diseases of the spine or internal organs, are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).To get rid of unpleasant sensations, it is enough to remove the provoking factor: lose weight, sit less, walk more, do simple exercises regularly.Moderate physical activity, individually and continuously, is recommended.
Getting rid of pain caused by diseases of deeper origin requires a systematic and comprehensive approach.Treatment should include medication, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and massage.
Conservative therapy
In the case of acute, unbearable pain, the doctor immediately performs a blockade during the appointment - he gives an anesthetic injection to the affected area.The injection quickly relieves the discomfort, but only provides temporary relief.The patient should start treatment immediately.
To alleviate the exacerbation, the doctor prescribes:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce pain and swelling;
- muscle relaxants to relax spasmodic muscles;
- B vitamins to improve the regeneration and nutrition of nerve fibers.
If the cause of the back pain is a disease of the internal organs, the patient is prescribed medicines to treat the underlying disease.
Auxiliary techniques
After the exacerbation subsides, the following treatment methods are effective:
- wearing a special fixing bandage;
- medical massage in the lumbar region;
- shock wave therapy;
- swimming and exercise;
- acupuncture;
- applying tapes;
- manual therapy;
- other physiotherapy techniques.
Surgical intervention
Surgery is the last resort.Surgical treatment is recommended in case of severe abnormalities of the structure of the spinal cord or internal organs.There are many techniques.The specific type of intervention is ultimately planned by a neurosurgeon, operating urologist or abdominal surgeon, taking into account the established diagnosis and the individual characteristics of the patient's condition.
Do not tolerate lower back pain.Make an appointment with a therapist, neurologist or urologist at the clinic.At the medical center, you can have a full examination, find out why you have back discomfort and receive high-quality treatment.