Pain in the lower back accompanies about a quarter of the country's population, manifests itself once or becomes a habitual phenomenon and accompanies a person for almost all life. Often, lower back pain worries men and women over 35-45 years old.
In recent years, due to physical inactivity, malnutrition, excess weight, constant stress, low back pain syndrome is more and more common in adolescents and children. Therefore, many people are increasingly concerned with the question of what to do if the lower back hurts.
Back ache
Back pain in the lower back can be dull, sore, searing, and belt pain in the lower back can also appear. They can appear on the left or right side of the body, disappear without a trace or return constantly, affecting a person's quality of life and physical activity. Patients complain of severe pain in the lower back. It is important that the doctor establishes why the lower back hurts and that the patient receives quality treatment.
<1_img_centerxx>Causes of lower back pain
Sometimes severe lower back pain can be caused by excessive physical exertion. Working out in the country, overworking in the gym, carrying heavy weights, a sedentary lifestyle all cause the process when the lower back hurts. However, the pain usually goes away after a few days. But if relief does not come, you should definitely see a doctor to find out what causes lower back pain.
Common causes
Back pain in the lumbar region can have a variety of causes. Pain can be caused by congenital diseases of the spine, malignant or benign tumors of the pelvic organs, infectious processes. Doctors have a sufficient number of facts as to why the back hurts in the lumbar region. There are the following causes of pain:
- Acute or chronic spasm of the back muscles.
- Protrusion (protrusion of the intervertebral disc) and herniated disc.
- Osteochondrosis (degenerative lesions of the joints or intervertebral discs), spondylosis (deformity, proliferation of bone tissue of the vertebrae), osteoarthritis (joint damage caused by metabolic disorders).
- Ankylosing spondylitis (a chronic disease that immobilizes the spine).
In both men and women, the most common pathology is osteochondrosis, characterized by curvature of the spine, compression of the roots of the spinal cord, and severe pain in the lumbar spine.
One of the well-known syndromes is lumbago - lumbago, in which the lower back or the sacrum is very painful.
In the lumbar region, the pains are often of a throbbing, tearing nature, they last several minutes, but sometimes several hours or days, and suddenly disappear.
dull, painful, radiating under the ribs, associated with stretching of the renal capsule, pain is characteristic of renal failure. It can be acute pyelonephritis (an inflammatory process that affects the tubular system of the kidneys) or blockage of the ureter with stones (stones).
Back pain develops with constant allergic syndrome, hormonal imbalance, tuberculosis. In this case, the destruction of the vertebrae occurs.
Pain in the lower back, radiating to the right, can be a symptom of diseases of the pancreas, duodenum, stomach ulcers, aneurysm (expansion) of the abdominal aorta. With phlebitis (inflammation of the walls of venous vessels), proctitis (inflammation of the rectum), it also hurts the lower back. Appendicitis or cholecystitis is characterized by pain that radiates to the right side of the lower back.
Belt pain in the lower back can be caused by various types of herpes. Often the virus is not manifested by a rash, but by stiffness, severe pain. To find out what drugs and how to treat pain, you need to contact an infectious disease specialist for advice on taking antiviral drugs. Belt pain in the lower back also accompanies inflammation of the peritoneum, osteochondrosis, sciatica and myositis.
In women
Low back pain in women is caused by various reasons. The main ones are pregnancy, menopause, kidney disease, digestive system disorders, osteochondrosis or hernia of the spine. Such pain in the lower back not only causes discomfort, but can also disrupt the monthly cycle and lead to infertility.
Back pain occurs with gynecological problems. These may be inflammatory diseases of the female genitalia, endometriosis (abnormal proliferation of the uterine epithelium), cysts on the ovaries, polyps, fibroids or other formations in the uterine cavity.
Only a specialist is able to determine the causes of low back pain in a woman. Therefore, you don't have to decide for yourself what to do if your lower back hurts. First of all, you need to consult a gynecologist.
Often, women have lower back pain on critical days. The reasons for this are a temporary change in the hormonal background, an increase in the amount of estrogen that increases the sensitivity of the body, water retention, an increase in the load on the spine, physiological contractions of the walls of theuterus.
Low back pain during pregnancy occurs in almost all women, but often does not require treatment. Pain in the lumbar spine is associated with an increase in the body weight of a pregnant woman and pressure on the spine, hormonal changes in the body, a slight shift in the center of gravity and a weakening of the systemmusculo-ligamentous of the lower abdomen.
Sometimes women complain of having back pain after childbirth. Experts say that the postpartum causes of back pain appear after strain injuries to the musculo-ligamentous system and joints of the spine.
Spinal instability is another problem for women of all ages, even with a mild degree of obesity. Another common cause is damage to the intervertebral discs or joints.
Physical activity, prolonged standing in an upright position causes pain in the spine, pain in the lower back, difficult extension of the body, a desire to lie down and rest as soon as possible. In the postmenopausal period, osteoporosis can develop.
At men's
Work activities associated with excessive physical exertion, uncomfortable body postures and working in the cold can lead to the appearance of periodic back pain in men. The culprit for the pain radiating to the lumbar region or groin may be epididymitis - an inflammation of the testicles, manifested by swelling of the scrotum and fever. With prostatitis, inflammation of the bladder, a man worries about a dull ache in the left side of the back.
Lower back pain in men over 40 is often caused by herniated discs. It is characterized by back pain when coughing, sneezing, difficulty bending over and extending the back. Lower back pain worsens with an upright position, so these patients tend to lie down faster. A neglected hernia and lower back pain sometimes require surgery.
The listed specific male diseases and other pathologies, in which the lower back constantly hurts, should not be treated without the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication can lead to a worsening and complication of the pathological process and lead to disability. Treatment of the lumbar spine can only be performed by certified specialists.
Diagnosis of diseases
If the exact cause of the pain is still unknown, diagnostic measures should begin with a visit to a therapist. Treatment of low back pain should be started after an accurate diagnosis, which is carried out after a comprehensive examination. The survey includes:
- study of anamnesis (ask the patient about the disease);
- visual inspection of pain points;
- blood and urine tests (general and biochemical);
- ultrasound examination (ultrasound);
- X-ray examination of the spine;
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
- computed tomography (CT).
Since pain in the lumbar region is caused not only by neurological, but also somatic reasons, the patient should be examined by a neurologist, vertebrologist, therapist and nephrologist. For women, if they have lower back pain, it is imperative to have a gynecologist check-up, and men should see a urologist.
Lower back pain treatment
After the correct diagnosis of low back pain, the specialist prescribes specific treatment for this pathology, which is aimed at eliminating the causes of the disease.
If you have back pain, then you should not search the Internet for the answer to the question of how to relieve low back pain from neighbors, acquaintances. Low back pain has different causes, therefore, the treatment for each disease is individual. Only a doctor knows how to cure a patient and how to make the pain go away.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve lower back pain. These drugs have a negative effect on the lining of the stomach, so they should be taken with drugs that reduce acidity and protect the stomach wall from damage. For pain, as directed by a doctor, you can use the appropriate ointments or gels.
Since pain in the spine and lower back is caused by different reasons, only specialists can prescribe appropriate treatment for the lower back. Therefore, as soon as possible, you should see a doctor, and not self-medicate. Only a doctor can determine why the lower back hurts and how to get rid of it.
At home, treatment of back pain can be carried out only after examination and medical examination, otherwise incurable complications may occur.
If the lower back hurts, the treatment can be complex, that is, you can use traditional and folk methods.
Prophylaxis
Back pain is best prevented, so you don't have to search for an answer to the question of how to treat lower back pain. The prevention rules are simple but effective. The main thing is not to forget to perform them.
According to statistics, more than 25-30% of people have suffered from this disease when their back hurts. Planned preventive monitoring of the state of health, timely access to a doctor allows you to identify an incipient pathology, diagnose why the spine hurts in the lumbar region, why the lumbar is pulling.
Morning exercises, jogging, walking at a brisk pace, exercising in the gym, swimming are the main physical activities necessary for the muscles of the spine and back. At least 20-30 minutes a day, without significant stress, without overload, will help strengthen muscle tissue.
To reduce stress on the spine, you need to adjust the body weight. Overweight and physical inactivity are enemies of the spine.
To properly reduce body weight, you can not get carried away with the diets found on the Internet. It is best to consult a dietitian or doctor for advice on nutrition and maintaining the water-salt balance.
Routine medical examinations are important in preventing back pain in the lower back. Women need to visit a gynecologist annually, men - a urologist. Many diseases of the spine begin in childhood.
Parents should closely monitor the health of the child, teach him to exercise, active games for children and correct posture. Every year, before the start of the school year, children of school age must undergo a routine medical examination.
If the lower back hurts, a positive attitude, a belief in success, compliance with all the prescriptions of specialists allows you to reduce or completely get rid of pain, lead a full-fledged life.