Pain in the lumbar region accompanies about a quarter of the country's population, manifests itself once or becomes a common phenomenon and accompanies the person for most of their lives. Low back pain often worries men and women over 35-45 years of age.
In recent years, due to sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, overweight, constant stress, low back pain syndrome is increasingly common in adolescents and children. Therefore, many people are increasingly preoccupied with the question of what to do if their lower back hurts.
Back pain
Back pain in the lower back can be dull, sharp pain and girdle pain in the lower back may also appear. They can appear on the left or right side of the body, disappear without a trace or constantly return, impairing a person's quality of life and physical activity. Patients complain of severe pain in the lower back. It is important for the doctor to establish why the lower back hurts and for the patient to receive quality care.
Causes of low back pain
Sometimes severe back pain can be caused by excessive physical exertion. Working in the field, overtraining at the gym, carrying heavy weights, sedentary lifestyles trigger the process when the lower back hurts. However, the pain usually goes away after a few days. But if relief doesn't come, you should definitely see a doctor to find out the causes of lower back pain.
common causes
Back pain in the lower back can have several causes. Pain can be caused by congenital spinal diseases, malignant or benign tumors of Organs pelvic organs, infectious processes. Doctors have enough facts to explain why the back hurts in the lower back. There are the following causes of pain:
In men and women, the most common pathology is osteochondrosis, in which there is curvature of the spine, compression of the spinal cord roots, and severe pain in the lumbar spine.
One of the best known syndromes is lumbago - lumbago, in which the lower back or sacrum is very painful.
In the lower back, pains are often throbbing, watery, last for several minutes, but sometimes several hours or days, and disappear suddenly.
Dull, painful, radiating under the ribs, associated with elongation of the renal capsule, pain is characteristic of kidney disease. It may be acute pyelonephritis (an inflammatory process that affects the tubular system of the kidneys) or blockage of the ureter from stones (calculi).
Back pain develops with constant allergic syndrome, hormonal imbalance, tuberculosis. In this case, destruction of the vertebrae occurs.
Pain in the lower back, radiating to the right, may be symptoms of diseases of the pancreas, duodenum, stomach ulcers, aneurysm (expansion) of the abdominal aorta. With phlebitis (inflammation of the walls of the venous vessels), proctitis (inflammation of the rectum), it also hurts in the lower back. Appendicitis or cholecystitis is characterized by pain that radiates to the right side of the lower back.
Waist pain in the lower back can be caused by several types of herpes. Often, the virus does not manifest as a skin rash, but as pain, intense pain. To find out which medications and how to treat pain, you will need to contact an infectious disease specialist for advice on the use of antiviral medications. Waist pain in the lower back also accompanies inflammation of the peritoneum, osteochondrosis, sciatica, and myositis.
among women
Low back pain in women is caused by several reasons. The main ones are pregnancy, menopause, kidney disease, digestive disorders, osteochondrosis or herniated spine. These lower back pain not only cause discomfort, but can also disrupt the monthly cycle and lead to infertility.
Low back pain occurs with gynecological problems. These can be inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, endometriosis (abnormal proliferation of the uterine epithelium), ovarian cysts, polyps, fibroids or other formations in the uterine cavity.
Only a specialist can determine what causes a woman's lower back pain. So you don't have to decide for yourself what to do if your lower back hurts. First, you need to visit a gynecologist.
Women often experience lower back pain during critical days. The reasons are a temporary change in the hormonal background, an increase in the amount of estrogens that increase the body's sensitivity, water retention, an increase in the load on the spine, physiological contractions of the walls of the uterus.
Low back pain during pregnancy occurs in almost all women but usually does not require treatment. Lumbar spine pain is associated with an increase in a pregnant woman's body weight and spinal pressure, hormonal changes in the body, a slight shift in the center of gravity and a weakening of the lower abdominal musculoskeletal system.
Sometimes women complain that their backs hurt after giving birth. Experts say that the causes of postpartum back pain appear after microtraumas to the musculoskeletal system and spinal joints.
Spine instability is another problem for women of any age, even with a mild degree of obesity. Another common cause is damage to the discs or intervertebral joints.
Prolonged physical activity while standing upright causes pain in the spine, lower back, difficulty in extending the body, desire to lie down and rest as soon as possible. In the postmenopausal period, osteoporosis can develop.
in men
Occupational activities associated with excessive physical exertion, uncomfortable body postures and working in the cold can lead to periodic back pain in men. The culprit for the pain that radiates to the lower back or groin may be epididymitis—inflammation of the testicles, manifested by swelling of the scrotum and fever. With prostatitis, an inflammation of the bladder, a man is concerned about dull pain in the left side of his back.
Low back pain in men over 40 is usually caused by a herniated disc. It is characterized by back pain when coughing, sneezing, difficulty flexing and stretching the back. Low back pain is worse with an upright position, so these patients tend to lie down more quickly. A neglected hernia and lower back pain sometimes require surgery.
The listed specific male ailments and other conditions where the lower back is constantly aching should not be treated without a doctor's supervision. Self-medication can lead to aggravation and complication of the pathological process and result in disability. Lumbar spine treatment can only be performed by certified specialists.
disease diagnosis
If the exact cause of the pain is still unknown, diagnostic measures should begin with a visit to a therapist. The treatment of low back pain should be started after an accurate diagnosis, which is carried out after a thorough examination. The search includes:
- anamnesis study (questioning the patient about the disease);
- visual inspection of painful 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 lower back is caused not only by neurological but also by somatic reasons, the patient should be examined by a neurologist, vertebrologist, therapist, and nephrologist. For women, if they experience pain in the lower back, it is imperative that they be examined by a gynecologist, and men should visit a urologist.
Treatment for low back pain
After the correct diagnosis of low back pain, the specialist prescribes a specific treatment for this pathology, which aims to eliminate the causes of the disease.
If your back hurts, you shouldn't search the Internet for an answer to the question of how to alleviate lower back pain for neighbors and acquaintances. Low back pain has different causes, therefore, the treatment of each disease is individual. Only a doctor knows how to cure a patient and how to remove pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve lower back pain. These medications have a negative effect on the stomach lining, so they must be taken along with medications that reduce acidity and protect the stomach wall from damage. For pain, as directed by a doctor, you can use appropriate ointments or gels.
Since pain in the spine and lower back is caused by different reasons, only specialists can prescribe the right treatment for the lower back. Therefore, as soon as possible, you need to see a doctor, not self-medicate. Only a doctor can determine why the lower back hurts and how to get rid of lower back pain.
At home, the treatment of back pain can only be carried out after examination and medical examination, otherwise incurable complications may occur.
If the lower back hurts, the treatment can be complex, that is, traditional and folkloric methods can be used.
Prophylaxis
It is better to prevent back pain, so you don't need to look for an answer to the question of how to treat lower back pain. Prevention rules are simple but effective. The main thing is not to forget to do them.
According to statistics, more than 25-30% of people have experienced this condition when their back hurts. Preventive and planned monitoring of health status, timely access to a doctor, allows you to identify an incipient pathology, diagnose why the spine hurts in the lower back, why the lower back pulls.
Morning exercises, jogging, brisk walking, gym workouts, swimming are the main physical activities needed for the spinal and back muscles. At least 20-30 minutes a day, without major stress, overload, will help to strengthen muscle tissue.
To reduce stress on the spine, you need to adjust your body weight. Excess weight and physical inactivity are enemies of the spine.
To reduce body weight properly, you cannot get carried away by diets found on the Internet. It is best to consult a nutritionist or doctor for advice on nutrition and maintaining the balance between water and salt.
Routine medical examinations are important to prevent back pain in the lower back. Women should visit a gynecologist every year, men - a urologist. Many spinal disorders start in childhood.
Parents need to closely monitor their child's health, teach them to exercise, play active games and have correct posture. School-age children, annually, before the start of the school year, must undergo a routine medical examination.
If the lower back hurts, a positive attitude, a belief in success, compliance with all the specialists' prescriptions makes it possible to reduce or totally get rid of pain, lead a complete lifestyle.