When the patient has acute or constant back pain in the lower back, it will be very difficult to do something. It is a tired, debilitating feeling that leads to irritability and anger. And there can be many reasons for the pain. They are not always associated with osteoarthritis, but they can indicate abnormalities in internal organs. Pay special attention to such feelings, so women whose lower back pain is often associated with dangerous gynecological diseases.
Causes and nature of pain
Despite the fact that there are primary reasons for each type of pain, the nature of sensations does not always indicate 100% of a particular illness. Violations on the human body can be masked by various signs.
Low back pain is characterized by the following features:
- Acute discomfort. The patient has difficulty moving, the symptoms appear suddenly, spreading to the lower extremities. Acute pain is typical for trauma, compression of the vertebrae, for bone diseases, eg tumours, Cushing's syndrome, and multiple myeloma. The displacement of the vertebrae is also accompanied by acute pain.
- It was a dull ache. It develops mainly with muscle spasms, spinal hernia, pulpitis and osteonecrosis. But it can occur with pathologies of the genitourinary system, kidneys, intestines and other organs. Rootitis is divided into two diseases: low back pain with vertebrae displacement and sciatica, in which the nerves are affected and low back pain occurs. Pain is very common with kidney diseases.
- Periodic pain of a different nature. They arise mainly against the background of overexertion, especially when inactive for long periods of time and without warming up before playing sports. At the same time, cyclical pains may be reflected and radiated if they involve organs.
- Continuous pain. They are mainly implicated in varicose veins and other vascular diseases, muscular dystrophies, degenerative diseases of bone and cartilage, as well as inflammation in these factors. Getting rid of persistent symptoms is extremely difficult.
- Shooting pain gun. A sharp, sudden and very strong sensation, accompanied by prolonged pain and discomfort in the lower back. They develop against the background of careless movements, excessive stress, as well as under the influence of factors such as hypothermia.
- Bone pain. Associated mainly with diseases of the kidneys, pelvic organs, genitourinary system. It can be colic, stones, as well as pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, including diseases of the gallbladder, ulcers, tumors and pathologies of the pancreas. In men, diseases of the testicles and prostate gland are often the cause, and in women - ectopic pregnancy, diseases of the uterus and ovaries, cysts.
With predominantly right-sided pain, a liver abnormality may be suspected.
Other reasons for lower back pain
Among the pathologies that lead to lower back pain, diseases in which symptoms are not obvious, can be weak or sharp, rare or permanent, can also be distinguished:
- osteochondrosis - refers to degenerative forms of the disorder, in which the discs become inflamed, the bone surfaces are loose, and nerve endings are damaged;
- protrusion and herniated disc are diseases that become stage 2-3 of the process of bone necrosis;
- scoliosis - the curvature of the spine to the left or to the right can cause very unpleasant sensations on the basis of a decrease in the functions of the muscles and skeleton;
- ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic autoimmune change in the joints of the spine, leading to a loss of mobility;
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the large and small joints, which has many causes;
- bone infections, including bone tuberculosis, as well as infectious processes inside the organs;
- pancreatitis, adhesions in the gastrointestinal tract after surgery, appendicitis, cholecystitis;
- pyelonephritis, kidney stones and abdominal pain;
- Benign and malignant tumors of organs, tissues and bones, compression of nerve endings in the lumbar region.
The sensation of pain can cause muscle spasms, leading to chills, as well as sprains from trauma or sudden movement.
Characterization of causes in women and men
In women, pulling and sometimes acute pain can develop during mid-cycle ovulation. These symptoms resolve quickly and do not cause severe discomfort. For some women, the pain that occurs after an abortion, is recognized as very stressful for a woman's health. Low back pain can persist for a long time and is often associated with inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. This happens against the background of incorrect procedure and severe trauma to the walls of the uterus.
In women, low back pain can be caused by inflammation of the appendages and ovaries, growing fibroids, large cysts, as well as bleeding in the ovaries, endometritis, and endometriosis. Sometimes such discomfort occurs during menopause, which is associated with a drastic change in hormonal balance.
In men, in addition to prostate cancer and prostatitis, back pain may be accompanied by epididymitis - epididymitis, but symptoms are mainly localized in the groin area.
Diagnostic method
Before proceeding to diagnose and prescribe treatment for lumbar spondylosis, you need to see an experienced specialist - a chiropractor or orthopedist. But it is the chiropractor who deals with diseases of the spine and knows everything about how to effectively treat these disorders.
After examining, palpating, and collecting information about the patient, the doctor will prescribe a number of diagnostic methods:
- X-rays. With the help of X-rays, doctors determine the stage of bone degeneration and other degenerative processes in the spine. X-rays clearly show the growth of bone-forming cells and allow you to measure the distance between the vertebrae.
- MRI of the spine. Reveal pathological changes in discs, vertebrae and joints, as well as in surrounding soft tissues. MRI easily shows bone and spondylolisthesis even in the early stages.
- Myelography. A technique that uses contrast material, which helps to detect vascular pathologies, tumors, as well as spinal stenosis, abscesses, and other similar changes.
To exclude diseases of internal organs and to identify inflammatory processes, urine and blood are also prescribed. Diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract is sometimes necessary, including liver enzymes, pancreas, and gastric juices.
Diagnosing back pain helps distinguish some conditions from others and allows you to choose the right treatment strategy. At home, it is not possible to understand by symptoms alone which disease leads to pain.
How to relieve low back pain
Regardless of the cause of the pain, the patient will be prescribed medications from the following groups to relieve bothersome symptoms (at the doctor's choice):
- Analgesic. They do not help all patients and primarily target the sources of pain.
- NSAIDs. Strong pain reliever, taken in courses. They also have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Hormonal agents. Apply within 6-10 days, they include.
- Injection and blockage. Combination drugs are often used in combination with glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics.
- Muscle relaxants. They help reduce muscle spasms, as well as fight osteoporosis and other disorders when muscles are in pain.
- Products for external use. Pain relievers, warming creams, gels, and patches should also be used only when indicated.
In some cases, especially in severe stages of osteoarthritis, several groups of drugs are used.
Your doctor should prescribe medications, especially complex ones like glucocorticosteroids or hormonal blockades. Only strict observance of the instructions and recommendations, systematic use of the drug, closely with the prescribed dosage will help to get rid of unpleasant sensations.
Features of treatment depending on the type of pain
To treat low back pain effectively, it is important to consider its nature. For each disorder and disease, the pain may be of one nature or another.
Muscle pain treatment
This is the name for the pain associated with muscle tension or spasm. They develop against the background of excessive loads, improper lifting of weights, as well as with the wrong approach to exercise. Muscle pain can be caused by prolonged staying in an uncomfortable position, when carrying a bag in either hand or over the shoulder. Sometimes this symptom occurs against the background of poor posture.
With spasm, invasion of the spinal roots occurs, so the symptoms are similar to sciatica: burning pain in the thighs, lower legs, numbness in the limbs.
You can treat such pain with painkillers and NSAIDs in the form of ointments, injections, tablets, patches. Among the ointments, it is better to choose warming and irritating substances.
Sometimes myositis, which causes pain, is triggered by an infection or toxins from the worms. Then you need to take antibiotics or dewormers to defeat the cause of the pain. Warm compresses and ointments in this case are prohibited.
Diseases of the apex involving the nerves
This category includes all disorders associated with dystrophic changes and trauma, be it osteonecrosis or spondylolisthesis. Requires the following treatments:
- bed rest during a seizure - you need to lie down on a hard surface, put a small roller under your knees;
- drug therapy - NSAIDs are usually used in injectable form;
- irritating and distracting ointments, as well as pepper, mustard and iodine nets;
- sludge treatment and warming, as well as ozokerite used in remission;
- Spasms are eased by vacuum massage and acupuncture.
With lens syndrome, which manifests as severe pain, requires the use of novocaine or weak opiate blockade, bed rest, lumbar traction dry or underwater, stimulation with electrophoresis and ultrasound currents. small.
Treatment of degenerative-inflammatory disorders
To relieve back and lower back pain in degenerative diseases (degenerative spondylosis), you should rest in bed with your legs flexed in the frog pose. In addition, non-steroidal drugs are also used, in cases of severe pain, they will be given by injection. Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle tension. Very often, patients suffer from chronic fatigue and pain-related depression and require antidepressant medication.
Treatment of tumor diseases
Benign and malignant tumors can be very different in nature: lipomas, gliomas affecting nerves, spinal hemangiomas, gliomas, osteomas, and choriomas. Tumor pathologies require complex, long and complex treatment processes.
Prescription anti-cancer devices are required, sometimes strong opiates are prescribed to the patient. They also conduct therapy for the causes of tumors, possibly using hormonal drugs, chemotherapy agents, and targeted drugs.
Treatment of tumor diseases is one of the most difficult, requiring the responsibility of the patient and the doctor. The use of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy can make a patient's condition worse in the long run. The main thing is not to give up at this time and remember that detecting a tumor at stage 2 gives a very high chance of recovery. Even with stage 3 cancer, you can count on a successful fight against the disease.
Danger and consequences of pain
If low back pain is left untreated and ignored or tried to stop it with NSAIDs and other pain relievers, this can lead to serious consequences for the patient. In this regard, trauma is particularly dangerous because damage to the vertebrae can lead to displacement, cracking, and compression fractures. Other complications that can also cause severe pain:
- the formation of chronic pain sensations, which cannot be cured even with strong analgesics;
- diseases of the spinal cord and brain, extensive damage to the nervous system and paralysis;
- decreased sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities;
- a pronounced limitation of portability;
- Complications range from internal organs up to paralysis, stool and urinary incontinence.
When the first symptoms of low back pain appear, it is important to undergo a diagnosis to determine the cause of the discomfort.
Back pain prevention
The following precautionary rules will help to avoid a number of diseases and discomforts:
- moderate physical activity, daily sports to strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation;
- the use of hard surfaces for seating, eliminating frequent stay on upholstered furniture;
- if a person works in a sitting position for a long time, he should use furniture recommended for this;
- to prevent many diseases it is necessary to have a proper diet and give up bad habits;
- you need to transfer the weight correctly, distribute the weight evenly in both hands and be careful, do not jerk, lift the weight a lot.
No person is immune to back pain. If diseases and pathological changes in the spine are detected in time, you can get rid of them quickly and correctly.