According to statistics, about 80% of people living on the planet have back problems. For possible reasons, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention - read the article.
Everyone has at least sometimes low back pain. But if it happened in the elderly before, nowadays lumbar spine pain often disturbs young people. Acute or aching pain, lasting just a few minutes, or bothering the person for weeks or even months - back pain - can be caused by many things. Usually a person gets used to his condition. Discomfort becomes a part of life. But the visit to the doctor is still delayed, thereby reducing your chances of recovery.
The causes of lower back pain - what you need to know
<<Osteoporosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, bulging and disc herniation - these and other conditions of the spine acquired over time are always accompanied by painful manifestationspain. At the same time, it is necessary to clearly define the cause of these errors. There are dozens of theories about the origin of these diseases. Excess weight has a negative effect on the spine, so that the vertebrae are under increased stress leading to premature wear. The violation of posture or improper body placement during work will cause excessive muscle tension, resulting in nerve compression, and spinal displacement. With muscle tension too strong, when lifting weights or moving unsuccessfully, sprains and trauma are inevitable.5 common causes of back pain
The back side can be correctly called an indicator of the state of the body. Almost any problem in the body is accompanied by pain. Low back pain can be of very different nature: soreness or acute, appearing after sleep or in a prolonged position. Usually, the pain of a sudden shot makes a person unable to move. The intensity of pain symptoms depends on the source of the pain. The most common are:
1. Lumbago, also known as low back pain
This is one of the most common types of back pain. Appears under exertion or awkward body position. Though it can happen for no apparent reason. The burning pain and flare-ups do not allow the person to be upright. When you try to change the position of your body, even when you cough, the sensation only intensifies. Acute pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours, even a few days, but in some cases it can suddenly stop.
2. Sciatica (pain of the hip nerve, sciatica)
Sciatica is manifested by pain such as shooting, tingling, and numbness. The pain usually spreads along the sciatica nerve down the buttocks, along the back of the lower leg. The sensation can be so intense that one cannot sit, walk or bend over.
3. Lower back pain due to bone necrosis
This is the most common one. More often, it develops gradually and intensifies with any movement, even sneezing or coughing. In addition, the sensitivity of certain areas of the lower body or legs may be impaired.
4. In case of disease
Pain in the lumbar region in various diseases is very characteristic. Painful, dull nature, can radiate to the lower abdomen, the area near the navel, the hypotenic region. However, with kidney cramps, a person will experience very severe pain and need urgent medical attention.
5. Muscle spasm
Muscle spasms appear when lying down in the wrong position for a long time. As a result, the motor ability of the spine is limited. This causes the so-called "vicious circle", when back pain is caused by muscle spasm, which in turn leads to pain. This state can continue for a long time and cause quite tangible suffering for a person.
What to do when you have acute low back pain?
Acute low back pain occurs in many different conditions. Convex and herniated disc, osteoporosis, lumbar pain and sciatica, trauma and disorders of spinal circulation. As well as various diseases of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity. It is almost impossible to identify the cause of the pain on its own, so the patient should be referred to a specialist.
- If you suspectspinal injuryor vertebrae, it is important to limit movement before the arrival of medical staff.
- Stretches muscles or ligaments. You can use a cold compress for the first few minutes to prevent bladder growth and relieve soreness.
- For seizures caused byspinal diseases, you should lie in the most comfortable position first. Usually, a person feels relieved by lying on his back on a hard surface with his feet slightly raised. If you can't see a doctor right away, you can take pain relievers.
- If back pain is a symptom ofmedical problems, the patient chooses the most comfortable lying position for him. It is important to remember that if the cause of low back pain cannot be identified, it is better to refuse to apply warm compresses and ointments. Indeed, when there is an inflammatory process, they can aggravate the situation.
Methods for diagnosing low back pain
Many low back pain conditions occur. To determine their origin and prescribe treatment, you need a doctor's help. The cause of their appearance is not always spinal diseases. In this case, first of all, identifying painful sensations is very important. For example, right or left low back pain can be a manifestation of urinary problems, intestinal diseases: appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, obstruction, . . . Some cases havePain in the lower back, for example hepatitis, cholecystitis or toxic drugs. If the back pain is below the lower back, then such localization may indicate diseases of the genitals, for example, the appendage of the uterus in women or the prostate gland in men.
You should start by going to see a therapist or neurologist who will prescribe the necessary examinations. In some cases, consultation with urologists, orthopedic physicians, trauma physicians, infectious pathologists and other specialists may be necessary. Thanks to current diagnostic methods, it is possible to identify the cause of lumbar pain with high accuracy. The radiograph of the spine is the most accessible examination method, allowing to identify structural violations, the presence of inflammatory processes, osteoporosis and related disorders. Computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are the most effective diagnostic methods, thanks to the layered images of the internal structures, even the tiniest violations can be detected. In addition, many types of laboratory tests may be ordered - depending on the symptoms.
Back pain treatment
The patient needs to rest in all situations. However, the treatment strategies chosen depend on the disease that is causing the pain in your spine.In the case of dystrophy and functional changesin the spine, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants are prescribed to reduce muscle spasm, as well as drugs that improve nutrition and tissue regeneration. Assign physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, electrophoresis, acupuncture), as well as massage, acupuncture and very effective therapeutic exercises. In some cases, such as a hernia or trauma, surgical treatment is indicated.
To relieve pain, to relieve excessive stress and muscle spasm, you should wear a special bandage. It is used as a therapeutic adjuvant for osteonecrosis, tooth marrow inflammation, trauma and in the postoperative period. But a specialist should choose a model, since different options for bras are being sold.
If lower back pain is a symptom ofinternal organ diseases, then the treatment of choice taking into account the existing pathology: antibacterial drugs in the presence of infectioncoincidence, surgical treatment - for tumors, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, v. v. . . .
What to do if you have lower back pain?
We are organized so that when health problems emerge, we try to get rid of the painful feeling on our own. Especially in cases where movement was not restricted, the condition did not worsen, and after taking painkillers, the pain seemed to subside. But be aware that injury is the only cause of back pain that a person can identify with relative accuracy. In other cases, it is better to leave the diagnosis to the specialist. But there are cases where urgent medical care is needed immediately:
- limited ability or movement;
- decreased sensitivity in some parts of the body, tingling in the limbs;
- uncontrolled urinary or feces;
- severe pain, fever, nausea, etc. v.
How to maintain mobility for years or a little about how to prevent it
Many back pain conditions do not come on suddenly. And serious illnesses with lower back pain can be completely prevented. What is needed for this?
- Promptly treat existing diseases as well as check regularly for prevention.
- Physical activity must be proportional to age, weight, and general body condition. If lifting weights cannot be avoided, then lift the load, keeping your back straight. In addition, there are special equipment for carrying weights, and you can also use a bra to support your back.
- Straight gait, not tiptoeing, correct posture when sitting to work will help avoid spinal deformation.
- Lack of exercise and poor diet inevitably lead to overweight - the main culprit of most diseases, including the spine. Adjusting your diet, exercising regularly, swimming in the pool, and even walking in the fresh air will help you avoid many problems. In addition, an active lifestyle is an effective means of coping with stress - a modern person's primary problem. But frequent stressful situations can be called primary risk factors for the development of many conditions.
Unfortunately, the desire to self-medicate cannot be reversed. Many recipes, supposedly miracles, and widely advertised ointments often turn out to be useless when used uncontrollably. Remember - buying your own medicine is a waste of money and time! Refusing the help of specialists, we run the risk of developing a progressive disease. Therefore, if you are concerned about low back pain, don't delay until then, make an appointment with your doctor!