Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for consulting a neurologist among working-age people.According to statistics, 9 out of 10 people experience lower back discomfort at least once in their lives, and about 9% of cases cause disability.The first episode is most often recorded before the age of 30.The risk of disease increases between the ages of 30 and 60.
Unfortunately, young people don't always heed the warning signs.Many people think that the cause of lower back pain is overwork, physical activity or sitting in front of the computer for a long time.But in fact, it can be a symptom of a serious illness.Lower back pain can be caused by many pathologies: from spinal problems to kidney failure.Only a timely visit to the doctor will help determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Possible causes of lower back pain: what hurts?
Ankylosing spondylitis
Lumbar pain syndrome occurs due to the fusion of the vertebrae into a large conglomerate.You lose mobility in your lower back.In the case of ankylosing spondylitis, calcium deposits are also observed in the ligaments that support the spine, which also causes pain when turning, standing up, or performing any other action.
Typical symptoms of the pathology:
- stiffness of body movements in the lumbar region;
- increased pain after prolonged immobility, especially after a night's sleep.
Osteochondrosis
The disease manifests itself in the thinning of the intervertebral discs.As a result, the shock-absorbing function of the spine decreases, the nerve roots are pinched, and the muscles around the affected area go into spasm.The person feels acute pain.Without treatment, osteochondrosis progresses, leading to protrusions and herniated discs.The protrusion of cartilage compresses the spinal cord.A person not only has severe lower back pain, but the innervation of the lower limbs is also interrupted.
Typical symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- the pain intensifies when you try to roll over from your back to your stomach, when you get up from a horizontal or sitting position, or when you bend down;
- Patients often report weakness and numbness in one or both legs.
Spondyloarthrosis
The lower back can hurt due to degenerative changes in the cartilage covering the intervertebral discs.The elastic layers thin out and in their place osteophytes - hard bone formations - appear.The distance between the vertebrae decreases with simultaneous compression of the spinal canal.
The nature of pain in spondyloarthrosis:
- accompanied by limited mobility of the spine in the lower back, up to permanent stiffness;
- worse after walking, prolonged sitting, standing and other stress;
- radiating to the pelvic area and thighs.
Urolithiasis
An attack of the pathology manifests itself in a sharp, severe pain on the back on the side of the affected kidney.The severity and nature of the sensation does not change depending on the position of the body.The patient cannot find a position in which it is even a little easier.
An attack of urolithiasis is accompanied by additional specific symptoms:
- back pain in the lower back;
- the amount of urine decreases, its color changes, blood stains appear;
- pain occurs during urination;
- Temperature may rise due to inflammation.
Other causes of pain and spasms in the lower back
Lumbar pain syndrome is observed in the following cases:
- pregnancy, including early pregnancy;
- algomenorrhea in women;
- osteomyelitis;
- appendicitis;
- inflammation of the pancreas;
- intestinal pathologies;
- back injury;
- tumor in the lumbar region;
- inflammatory processes in the female genital organs;
- prostatitis in men, etc.
Expert opinion
Pain in the lower back: what to do?Do not make sudden movements, especially if the pain occurs as a result of a fall or blow.Try to take the most comfortable position.If the pain is acute and does not improve when changing the position, call an ambulance - renal colic is likely, which requires hospitalization.In other cases, you can use ointments and tablets to relieve the condition.Consult a professional as soon as possible.The doctor helps relieve even severe pain and prescribes treatment.
Diagnosing lower back pain
At the first appointment, the doctor may prepare a block to relieve acute pain.When the patient feels better, the doctor conducts a more thorough examination and collects an anamnesis.It is important to clarify the location, nature, and duration of the pain, the factors that cause exacerbation or, on the contrary, improve the feeling of well-being.The doctor asks about past injuries and illnesses, starting in early childhood.The history helps to indicate why the back hurts and what diagnostic procedures provide more complete information.
The doctor may prescribe:
- General analysis of urine and blood.Based on the results, inflammatory processes are diagnosed, signs of pathology of the kidneys and digestive organs are determined;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary system.An examination is necessary if urolithiasis is suspected.With the help of ultrasound, the doctor determines the localization and extent of the inflammatory process, assesses the size of the stones in order to correctly structure the treatment tactics;
- X-ray of the lumbar spine.The images help to determine the pathology of the vertebrae and adjacent tissues.In order to clarify the X-ray examination, CT or MRI are also prescribed - these are more informative examination methods;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.If a woman has back pain, this may indicate endometritis or salpingo-oophoritis.Pregnant women should be examined to determine uterine tone;
- Ultrasound of the prostate.If a man has lower back pain, it may be a sign of inflammation or prostate cancer.The doctor performs a TRUS to determine the structure of the gland.
After a general examination, the doctor can prescribe more targeted procedures.In some cases, consultation with a surgeon, therapist, gynecologist and other specialists is necessary to clarify the diagnosis.
Treatment of lower back pain
Therapy is strictly individual.The doctor starts treating the patient when he receives the most complete information about his condition, or at least has data on the basis of which he can propose a diagnosis.The therapy of renal colic and osteochondrosis is fundamentally different.
Drug treatment
To reduce pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most often prescribed in the form of injections, ointments and tablets.Medicines help to quickly relieve inflammation and muscle spasms.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have side effects, so the doctor accurately calculates the dose and duration of the course for each patient.
If the treatment of lower back pain does not bring results within 2-3 days, the doctor selects hormonal drugs.Medicines are only needed to alleviate the acute condition.Antispasmodics, decongestants and B vitamins are prescribed as auxiliary substances.If the patient has lower back pain and pain when urinating, antibiotics can be chosen.The doctor will tell you why this or that medicine is needed and how to take it correctly.
It is not a drug treatment
The procedures are carried out in courses after the exacerbation subsides.In the complex treatment of pain, the following are used:
- physiotherapy: radiofrequency neuromodulation, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, magnetic therapy;
- physical therapy: daily exercise routine selected by a doctor, exercises in the pool;
- massage: therapeutic on the lower back and buttocks and general strengthening;
- acupuncture, hirudotherapy and other procedures.
Surgical treatment
The operation is carried out strictly according to the indications.If the patient's back hurts and the temperature does not decrease while taking the drugs, it is necessary to remove the inflammatory focus.Radical intervention is necessary in case of tumors and metastases.
In the case of pathology of the female genital organs, when the lower abdomen hurts, diagnostic curettage and laparoscopic operations are performed.If urolithiasis cannot be removed with the help of drugs, the patient is also recommended for surgical treatment.
You cannot tolerate pain and discomfort in the lower back.The body gives you a signal that you should pay attention to this area.