Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons working-age people see a neurologist.According to statistics, 9 out of 10 people feel discomfort in the lumbar region at least once in their life and about 9% of cases lead to disability.The first episode is usually recorded before age 30.From 30 to 60 years old, the risk of disease increases.
Unfortunately, young people don't always heed the warning signs.Many people believe that lower back pain is caused by overwork, physical activity, or sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time.But in fact, it can be a symptom of a serious illness.Lower back pain can be caused by many conditions: from spinal problems to kidney failure.Just a timely visit to the doctor will help determine the cause and carry out the correct treatment.
Possible causes of lower back pain: what pain?
Ankylosing spondylitis
Low back pain syndrome occurs due to the fusion of vertebrae into one large mass.The back loses mobility in the lower part.With ankylosing spondylitis, calcium is also observed in the ligaments that hold the spine, which also causes pain when trying to turn around, stand up or perform any other action.
Special symptoms of the disease:
- stiffness of body movements in the lumbar region;
- pain increases after prolonged immobilization, especially after a night's sleep.
Osteoarthritis
The disease is manifested by thinning of the intervertebral discs.As a result, the shock absorption function of the spine is impaired, nerve roots are compressed, and muscles around the affected area go into spasm.The person feels acute pain.If left untreated, osteochondrosis will progress, leading to bone protrusion and disc herniation.The protrusion of cartilage tissue will compress the spinal cord.Not only does a person have severe lower back pain, but the nerve distribution of the lower limbs is also disrupted.
Special signs of osteoarthritis:
- the pain increases when you try to roll from your back to your stomach, when getting up from a horizontal or sitting position, or when bending over;
- Patients often report weakness and numbness in one leg or both legs.
Degeneration of the spine
The lower back can be painful due to degeneration of the cartilage tissue that covers the intervertebral discs.The elastic layers become thinner and bone spurs—hard bone formations—appear in their place.The distance between vertebrae decreases when the spinal canal is compressed simultaneously.
Nature of pain in spondylosis:
- accompanied by limited mobility of the spine in the lower back, to constant stiffness;
- gets worse after walking, sitting, standing for long periods of time, and other stress;
- spreads to the pelvis and thighs.
urinary stones
A pathological attack is manifested by sharp, severe pain in the back next to the affected kidney.The severity and nature of the sensation does not vary depending on the position of the body.The patient cannot find a position that might be a little easier.
An attack of urolithiasis is accompanied by additional specific symptoms:
- back pain in the lower back area;
- urine output decreases, color changes and impurities appear in the blood;
- pain occurs when urinating;
- There may be an increase in temperature due to inflammation.
Other causes of pain and cramps in the lower back
Low back pain syndrome is observed in the following conditions:
- pregnancy, including early pregnancy;
- menstrual cramps in women;
- osteomyelitis;
- appendicitis;
- pancreatitis;
- intestinal diseases;
- back injury;
- tumor in the lumbar region;
- inflammatory process in female genital organs;
- prostatitis in men, etc.
Expert opinion
Lower back pain: what to do?Do not make sudden movements, especially if the pain is caused by a fall or being hit.Try to have the most comfortable position.If the pain is acute and does not subside with changing positions, call an ambulance - it is likely to be renal colic and require hospitalization.In other cases, you can use ointments and pills to alleviate the condition.Contact an expert as soon as possible.The doctor will help relieve even severe pain and prescribe treatment.
Diagnosis of lower back pain
At the first appointment, your doctor may perform a block to relieve acute pain.As the patient feels better, the doctor conducts a more thorough examination and collects a medical history.It is important to clarify the location, nature, duration of pain, factors that cause exacerbation or, conversely, improvement of health.Your doctor will ask about past injuries and illnesses, starting in childhood.The medical history helps suggest why the back hurts and what diagnostic procedures will provide more complete information.
Your doctor may prescribe:
- General analysis of urine and blood.Based on the results, they diagnose inflammatory processes, identify signs of pathology of the kidneys and digestive organs;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary system.Examination is necessary if urinary stones are suspected.Using ultrasound, the doctor determines the location and extent of the inflammatory process, evaluates the size of the stone to develop the correct treatment strategy;
- X-ray of the lumbar spine.The images help determine pathology of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues.To clarify X-ray, CT or MRI are additionally prescribed - these are more informative methods of examination;
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs.When women experience lower back pain, this may be a sign of endometritis or salpingitis.Pregnant women must be examined to determine uterine tone;
- Prostate ultrasound.If a man has lower back pain, this could be a sign of inflammation or a prostate tumor.The doctor performs TRUS to determine the structure of the gland.
After a general examination, your doctor may prescribe more targeted procedures.In some cases, consultation with surgeons, therapists, gynecologists and other specialists is required to clarify the diagnosis.
Treatment of lower back pain
Therapy is completely individual.The doctor begins to treat the patient when he receives the most complete information about his condition or at least has data suggesting a diagnosis.Treatment of renal colic and osteochondrosis are fundamentally different.
Treatment with medication
To relieve pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed in the form of injections, ointments, and pills.The medicine helps quickly reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have side effects, so doctors calculate the exact dosage and duration of treatment for each patient.
If the treatment of lower back pain does not bring results within 2-3 days, the doctor will choose hormonal drugs.Medicines are needed only to relieve acute conditions.Antispasmodics, decongestants and B vitamins are prescribed as auxiliary agents.If the patient has lower back pain and pain when urinating, they can choose to use antibiotics.Your doctor will tell you why this or that medication is needed and how to use it correctly.
Non-drug treatment
The procedure is carried out in courses after the exacerbation is relieved.In the treatment of complex pain, the following are used:
- physiotherapy: radiofrequency neuromodulation, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetic therapy;
- physiotherapy: set of daily exercises selected by the doctor, exercises in the pool;
- massage: therapeutic on the lower back and buttocks and general strengthening;
- acupuncture, hirudotherapy and other procedures.
Surgical treatment
Activities are performed strictly according to instructions.If the patient has lower back pain and the temperature does not decrease with medication, it is necessary to eliminate the focus of inflammation.Radical intervention is necessary for tumors and metastases.
In the case of female genital diseases, when there is pain in the lower abdomen, diagnostic curettage and laparoscopic surgery are performed.If urinary stones cannot be removed with medication, the patient is also prescribed surgical treatment.
You cannot stand the pain and discomfort in your lower back.Your body will signal to you that you need to pay attention to this area.