Lower back hurts

When the lower back hurts, a person's life becomes miserable because of the colossal discomfort it causes.Meanwhile, there is not a person who has not experienced lower back pain at least once in his life.Back pain can occur for a number of reasons and in a variety of ways.In its manifestations, the pain is sudden and increasing, shooting and aching.However, there is one common feature - if left untreated, it will get worse.

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region

The human spine is exposed to stress of varying intensity every day, from trivial to significant.At the same time, he does not always manage to compensate for the loads and distribute them to the surrounding tissues without harming himself, as a result of which he receives microtrauma.It should be noted that the lumbosacral spine is often subjected to overload.In addition, there are a number of other reasons why the lower back can hurt.This includes infection, genetics, organ damage, etc.

Why does the lower back hurt (female causes):

1. Inflammatory diseases manifest as pain in the lower back or give complications that lead to this symptom:
   1. Vulvitis - inflammation of the external genital organs;
   2. Colpitis - inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
   3. Adnexitis - inflammation of the appendages of the uterus;
2. During pregnancy, the load on the spine in general, and on the lower back in particular, increases in particular.As a rule, the lower back stops hurting after giving birth.It should also be noted that during pregnancy there may be an impetus for the development of a mature disease;
3. Abortion.The procedure damages the internal membranes, which leads to local inflammation.In addition, abortion is associated with severe psychological stress;
4. Pain during menstruation or in scientific language algodismenorrhea.The menstrual cycle is a process that is accompanied by hormonal changes in the body.It is also associated with the rejection of the endometrial layer (the lining of the uterus), which causes blood loss and leads to intense contractions of the uterus to remove "garbage".This can cause pain in the stomach and lower back;
5. The climax.Problems with the hormonal balance in the body can lead to poor circulation of the organs in the pelvic area.Because of this, bone density decreases and osteoporosis develops;
6. Doubt.Although this quality is common to both sexes, in the vast majority of cases it is characteristic of women;
7. Large breast size;
8. High heels and carrying a heavy bag can also cause lower back pain.

Why does the lower back hurt (male causes):

1. Prostatitis.Inflammation of the prostate gland sometimes provokes pain in the lumbar region;
2. Epididymitis.Inflammation of the epididymis can be reflected by discomfort in the lower back;
3. Men age 50 and older are at increased risk of genital cancer.What could be the cause of back pain?

Why lower back hurts (common causes):

Back pain can occur due to many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.However, in addition to diseases affecting the spine (spondyloarthrosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis...) and injuries, there are many causes:

1. Skeletal abnormalities or defects: kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis, spina bifida, wedge-shaped vertebrae, etc.It should be noted that in ≈50% of cases the causes of the development of the defect are unknown, in ≈10% - environmental influences, in ≈19% - multiple resting factors - genetic.In most cases there is no treatment, sometimes surgical correction is acceptable;
2. Appendicitis.Inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the cecum (appendix) causes sudden sharp pains in the abdomen, which may radiate to the lumbar region;
3. Cholecystitis.Back pain may be due to inflammation of the gallbladder;
4. Acute pancreatitis.Inflammation of the pancreas, which is characterized by pain in the waist;
5. Cystitis.Bladder inflammation causes discomfort in the pelvic area;
6. Diseases of the small intestine, due to their close location to the nerve fibers of the lumbosacral region, can cause pain in this area.Enteritis (gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, gastroenterocolitis), intestinal enzymopathies, diverticulosis;
7. Kidneys.Pain in the lower back often accompanies diseases of these organs.Pyelonephritis, kidney prolapse, renal failure, urolithiasis, amyloidosis, lupus nephritis, etc.;
8. Excess weight increases the load on the back and leads to its gradual destruction;
9. Tuberculosis tissue damage;
10. Ankylosing spondylitis;
11. Inflammation of the muscles of the lower back as a result of viral or bacterial infection;
12. Malignant tumors that develop or metastasize in the lower back;
13. Benign formations growing on nerve fibers or compressing them;
14. Spinal epidural abscess.Purulent inflammation of the spinal space;
15. Abdominal or pelvic adhesions after surgery.This is the proliferation of connective tissue during the wound healing process after surgery.For example, intestinal adhesions to organs or abdominal walls after laparotomy;
16. Hypothermia, stress, poor nutrition, injury;
17. Due to other diseases.

"Improper posture is the main reason why a child may have lower back pain."

Types of back pain in the lumbar region

Pain is a mental and physiological reaction of the body to severe irritation of nerve endings in organs and tissues.Pain is the most common reason for patients to go to the hospital, and it is also usually the first sign and warning sign of illness.Pain is an injury signal that helps to trigger protective mechanisms (for example, muscle spasm to limit the mobility of the affected part of the body when a nerve is pressed) and compensatory mechanisms of the body (for example, fibrosis in the last stage of osteochondrosis).There are many different classifications of pain.

Based on the location of the sensation, the reasons why the lower back hurts a lot can be divided into 2 types: primary and secondary (reflected, projected).In the first case, pain is caused by damage to the musculoskeletal system as a result of degenerative changes (for example, osteochondrosis) or trauma.In the second case, it is caused by a pathology (for example, cholecystitis radiating to the lower back) that is not directly related to the spine and the muscles of the lumbar region, so it can be very diverse.

The nature of pain is constant (otherwise chronic) and periodic (otherwise acute).The first type is associated with irreversible processes of blood circulation disorders, nerve damage or damage to the musculoskeletal system.As a rule, eliminating the source of persistent pain is difficult or impossible.The second type includes acute diseases of organs, injuries and individual physiological characteristics of the body.Periodic pain disappears after the elimination of its cause.

Referred pain is when sensations do not coincide with the true source of pain (original source, site of injury).For example, pain that radiates to the leg, when the nerve roots are compressed in the lumbosacral spine, is called projected.And after damage to the internal organs, pain appears, called referred pain, which is localized in a certain dermatome in accordance with the Zakharyin-Ged zones.

According to localization, pain can be superficial somatic (damage to the skin), deep somatic (disorders of the musculoskeletal system and tissues), visceral (damage to organs inside the body).

Depending on the affected nerves, the pain can be neuropathic, when the peripheral nerves are damaged, or central, when the central nervous system is damaged.

Diseases characterized by chronic low back pain

Here they are:

1. Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is one of the most common causes of back pain.This is a complex disease consisting of inflammation and tissue destruction, compression of nerves and blood vessels.There are extensive symptoms;
2. Lumbago.Shooting pain in the lower back.In most cases, it is the result of osteochondrosis and its complication - a disc herniation.Therefore, the treatment is similar;
3. Osteoporosis.A chronic progressive metabolic disease of the bones, in which their density decreases and fragility increases.In other words, bone thinning.It is the leading cause of hip fractures in older people.The disease deforms the skeleton, joints and cartilage.Typical for women during menopause.Osteoporosis risk assessment: Anyone who has ever broken a bone (eg, vertebra, hip) with minor force should be assessed;
4. Scoliosis.Curvature of the spine, resulting in asymmetry of the shoulders, poor posture, impaired motor function of the skeleton, protruding ribs on the left or right side;
5. Rheumatoid arthritis.Women are more susceptible to the disease.It most often develops during menopause.This is a chronic systemic disease involving muscles, ligaments and cartilage in the degenerative-dystrophic process.The causes of the disease are autoimmune processes;
6. Ankylosing spondylitis or ankylosing spondylitis.A disease with progressive loss of joint mobility.More common in men.This is a chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to fibrosis - that is, the proliferation of connective tissue.Mainly located in the spine.It is accompanied by pain, eye damage and reduced growth.It leads to complete loss of joint mobility;
7. Spondylosis.Chronic disease of the spine, which is manifested by changes in the fibrous tissue of the intervertebral space and the formation of bone growths of the spine (spondylophytes or osteophytes) on the sides of the vertebrae.More often as a result of old age;
8. Phlebothrombosis.Partial or complete blockage in the deep veins of the leg due to blood clots.It develops with a simultaneous combination of 3 factors: pathology of the walls of blood vessels, thickening and slowing of blood circulation.Wearing high heels for a long time increases the risk of developing pathology.Phlebothrombosis is extremely dangerous because until a serious stage it is practically asymptomatic;
9. Thrombophlebitis.Partial or complete interruption of blood circulation in superficial veins due to the formation of a blood clot caused by pathological changes in the vein as a result of its inflammation.Most often, the disease is a consequence of varicose veins.Phlebothrombosis can be a further development of this disease;
10. Atherosclerosis.Slowing or stopping blood flow in a vessel due to cholesterol plaques.The disease is typical for older men;
11. Osteomyelitis.Purulent-necrotic process in bones, bone marrow and surrounding tissues.The cause is a bacterial infection.The patient's condition worsens over several days.Requires immediate treatment;
12. Different leg lengths.More than 3 cm.The disease develops due to atrophy of the muscles of one of the legs.

These diseases and many others are the reason why the lower back hurts constantly.All require urgent and serious treatment.However, it is often symptomatic and its purpose is to slow down the further development of the disease.

What to do if your lower back hurts

"If your lower back hurts periodically, this is a signal that should be taken seriously and undergo an urgent examination."

In case of sudden pain, the cause of which is unclear, the body temperature should be measured and the symptoms noted.Such as vomiting, diarrhea, tongue coating, nature and location of pain, etc.Lie down on a firm bed or rug, placing thick pillows under your knees, head and torso.If the pain does not go away for a long time, call a doctor.And in any case, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

For the case when the cause of the pain is known.For example, for a bruise or sprain of the lower back, first aid is given with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tablets or ointments are best).You can take a diuretic once to reduce swelling and wrap the lower back with an orthopedic belt or towel to limit mobility.

Exercises that can help relieve pain:

1. Relaxation.Lie down on the mat.Place a thick pillow under your torso and head and a low stool or table next to your knees.Relax completely.This will help the body to assume the most natural position for the spine;
2. Smooth stretch of the lumbosacral region.Gently and carefully lie stomach down on the table, resting your hands on it to bend with minimal strain on your back.You can also tighten your abdominal muscles.Position yourself so that your pelvis is on the edge of the table.In other words, approach the table until your hips touch it and lie down.Completely relax the muscles of the back, buttocks and legs.Half of the body hangs from the table in a relaxed state.In this state, take a deep diaphragmatic (abdominal) breath and hold it for 3-5 seconds, then exhale slowly.Take 7-10 breaths in this way.Then carefully stand up, helping yourself with your hands and abdominal muscles, with minimal tension in the lower back.You can repeat the exercise several times;
3. Discharge of the lumbosacral region.Get up on all fours.Hands are shoulder-width apart and perpendicular to them.Feet wider than shoulders.The back should remain in a natural position with no bow or arch.In this position, take a deep diaphragmatic breath and then exhale as much as possible, imagining how the navel extends towards the spine.At the end of the exhalation, hold for 2-3 seconds, tightening the muscles of the buttocks and hips, but not the lower back!Then relax.Take 7-10 such breaths and 2-3 sets of exercises;

What not to do if your lower back hurts:

• Warm up.This can increase inflammation and worsen the situation;
• Take sedatives without an established diagnosis.Pain is the body's defense mechanism.There may be no pain, but that doesn't mean the degenerative changes have stopped;
• Set the bones yourself or even with a chiropractor without examination and diagnosis.Regular adjustment of the vertebrae will further damage the spine.Vertebral displacement does not always occur as a result of injury.For example, in the case of advanced osteochondrosis.

"You have to treat the underlying disease first and its symptoms second."

Determining the cause of such a common symptom as back pain may require extensive examination and consultation with various medical specialists: neurologist, vertebrologist, gynecologist, etc.If it is not clear which specialist you should go to, you can consult a therapist.The most common examination procedures are as follows:

1. Examination of patients' complaints, examination of joint mobility, assessment of the degree of degenerative changes;
2. General analysis of urine and blood;
3. Biochemical blood test;
4. X-ray examination of the lumbar vertebrae;
5. Ultrasound of the heart and abdominal organs;
6. Doppler ultrasound - examination of blood vessels;
7. CT or MRI.

Back pain treatment

Treatment depends on the diagnosis because there is no single cure for every disease.This article lists just a few common names of drugs that are often used in the treatment of back pain.However, it is strictly recommended not to self-medicate and take any medicine only after consulting a doctor.

Drug treatment for low back pain aims to relieve inflammation and relieve pain.And for this purpose, the following types of drugs are used:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
2. Muscle relaxants;
3. Narcotic analgesics;
4. Corticosteroids;
5. Blockage;
6. Minerals and vitamins.

Some of the best pain relievers are ointments, creams and gels:

• NSAIDs;
• Ointments containing diclofenac;
• Combined drugs;
• Anti-inflammatory ointment;
• Medicinal patches.

Symptomatic therapy is used only for incurable diseases.Modern medicine has a comprehensive approach to the treatment of back pain.Vitamins B1, B6, B12 are added to NSAIDs.It has been proven that the use of high therapeutic doses of B vitamins increases the effect of NSAIDs due to the improvement of nerve tissue restoration.Thus, the optimal addition of NSAIDs is a drug combined with vitamins.Therefore, to combat pain more effectively, treatment with this drug begins with daily injections for 7-10 days.Physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy, massage, etc. are added to this.This is how the most effective and long-term treatment is achieved.

Preventing

Prevention of back pain is as follows:

• Regular physical activity, keeping the body in good shape, developing the muscle frame.If it is not possible to play sports, then 15-minute therapeutic exercises 2-3 times a day will help you not to get sick;
• Take care of your posture;
• Less stress, more fruits and vegetables.Strong immunity saves you from many diseases;
• Proper balanced food containing essential minerals and vitamins;
• An annual preventive examination by a doctor is the best prevention for detecting diseases at an early stage;
• Support of water-salt balance.The human body needs 1.5 to 4 liters of water per day, depending on body weight, weather and activity.