Lumbar pain (lumbar pain, lumbago, aching or pulling sensation in the lumbar region) are common complaints of patients when seeing a doctor.According to medical statistics, at least 70% of the population experiences such symptoms at least once in their life.Furthermore, in 10% of cases, low back pain becomes chronic.
The structure of the symptoms is as follows:
- 80-85% - non-specific lower back pain.Symptoms subside within a few weeks;
- 10-15% - spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, causing nerve root compression;
- 1-2% - a specific syndrome caused by cancer and diseases of internal organs.
Low back pain ranks second in duration and third in frequency of temporary disability certificates among all diseases.To prevent recurrence of the pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor promptly.
Types of lower back pain
According to the duration of the pain syndrome:
- Acute pain.It happens suddenly, as a reaction to new trauma.Lasts up to 6 weeks;
- Subacute pain.Lasts more than 12 weeks - this is the period when damaged tissue normally heals;
- Pain recurs.The syndrome occurs no less than six months after the previous exacerbation.Between relapses, symptoms disappear completely;
- Aggravation of chronic low back pain.The difference from relapse: the interval between attacks is less than 6 months, symptoms may subside but do not disappear completely.
According to the cause of the disease, lower back pain is:
- Elementary.This symptom occurs due to functional changes and/or dystrophy in the intervertebral discs, joints, fascia, tendons, and muscles;
- Middle school.The causes of frequent lower back pain are congenital abnormalities of the spine (scoliosis, lumbar spine...), back injuries, arthritis, radiating pain due to diseases of the intestines, stomach, abdominal aorta and organs of the genitourinary system.
What is lower back pain like?
Typically, patients complain of sharp and intense pain in the lower back, also known as sharp, shooting or lumbago.Movement in the back is limited.Sometimes a person remains in a bent position and cannot stand straight.With any movement, sharp pain in the lower back increases ("shooting" in the back).The main cause of this condition is chronic diseases of the lumbar spine.An acute attack can last from a few minutes to several weeks.In some cases, the pain gradually reduces to the point where the patient gets used to it.Full recovery is also possible without recurrent attacks.
Persistent pain in the lower back is a common symptom of chronic diseases of internal organs and spine.The sensations are not obvious but cause discomfort.Pain in the lumbar region can increase when bending low, physical activity, after infection or hypothermia.Even when symptoms disappear completely, stiffness and discomfort remain in the back.
Symptoms you should not ignore
If acute or dull low back pain is accompanied by one or more of the symptoms in the list below, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Warning signs:
- numbness of the arms or legs, tingling sensation, "cotton-like" extremities;
- hip and knee pain;
- leg cramps;
- irregular menstruation in women;
- sexual impotence in men;
- pain increases when sitting;
- inability to stand for long periods of time;
- rapid weight loss;
- increased temperature, fever;
- Serious deviations in blood tests;
- age over 50 years old;
- lack of motivation during “routine” treatment for 4 weeks.
The doctor at the clinic will determine the cause of the pain and help relieve the exacerbation.After that, a comprehensive examination and treatment under medical supervision is required.
What diseases can cause acute pain in the lumbar region?
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
The sciatic nerve is compressed.Severe pain occurs in the lower back, due to nerve roots being compressed by adjacent vertebrae.The cause of this phenomenon is osteoarthritis - these are degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc.Tissues are gradually destroyed, the distance between the vertebrae gradually decreases, and with any sudden movement they can compress the nerves.The pain is often accompanied by the pulsation of compressed vessels.
Sciatica (lumbosacral radiculitis).Due to compression, the nerve roots become inflamed and radiculitis develops.If the sciatic nerve is affected, the disease is called sciatica.With lumbar radiculitis, people often experience lumbago - severe pain in the lower back and leg on the affected side.
Osteochondritis (spondylosis).The vertebrae become denser, deformed, and covered with bone spurs - bony growths that look like sharp spikes.For a long time, it was believed that osteochondrosis was a consequence of age-related degenerative changes, but now the diagnosis is getting “younger” every year.Sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work contribute to changes in intervertebral discs at the age of 25-30.Bone spurs irritate and compress the roots, causing pain.
Disc herniation.A piece of joint tissue protrudes into the spinal canal.Hernias can appear after back injuries or develop due to osteoarthritis.
Inflammatory diseases of the spine.The pathology can develop for several years without outward manifestations.The disease begins at a young age and gradually leads to disability.The reason for such a disappointing prognosis is also because the patient has to endure constant pain at night that disrupts sleep and does not take back stiffness in the morning seriously.Several years pass from the time your symptoms first appear until you see your doctor.Chronic inflammation has led to irreversible changes in the spine, its motor activity decreases, humps appear, etc.
Inflammation of the spine.Conditions such as Crohn's disease and seronegative ankylosing spondylitis can cause pain in the low back.The main symptoms come with arthritis of the knees, feet or hands, buttock pain, blurred vision, unstable stools with unusual consistency.
Other diseases.Sharp pain in the lumbar region occurs with myositis - an inflammation of the lumbar muscles caused by stress or hypothermia.This symptom is also characteristic of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, degenerative cholecystitis and other pathologies.
Diseases of internal organs
Usually the cause of lower back pain is pathology of the kidneys, internal genital organs and urinary tract.This condition requires careful medical diagnosis and monitoring because many complications are irreversible.
Low back pain due to kidney disease differs from the consequences of disorders of the musculoskeletal system in that it is persistent and does not depend on movement or body position.Be especially alert if you have symptoms such as cloudy urine, frequent urination or burning pain...
Diseases of the genital organs
Both women and men can experience severe lower back pain due to various diseases of the reproductive system.This is how sexually transmitted diseases and inflammation of tissues and organs manifest.
Lower back pain in women often occurs during menstruation and is accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen.This can be considered a variation of the standard.If your menstruation is heavy, accompanied by increased pressure and poor health, it is better to go to the antenatal clinic and have a hormone test.Menstruation can be normalized with properly selected medications.
Lower back pain in men can be a sign of a prostate problem.It is necessary to make an appointment with a urologist and undergo an examination.
Pancreatitis
When the entire pancreas is inflamed, the pain will spread to the lower back.Can be irradiated to the coccyx, left thigh, and perineum.Pain in the lumbar region begins to increase after eating and intensifies with physical activity.Walking, jumping and other exercises stretch the pancreatic capsule and react in the nerve endings.
What to do if you have severe lower back pain
If severe pain occurs at home or at work, you need to lie on a hard, hard surface and place a cushion under your bent knees so that your legs are perpendicular to your body.Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.You can tie a shawl or a warm scarf around your lower back to warm it up a bit.
If these measures do not provide effective relief, you need to call your doctor or get emergency medical help at home.If you feel better, do not wait for the pain to attack and find time to go to a medical center, first make an appointment with a general practitioner - the doctor will comprehensively assess your health condition, give a preliminary diagnosis, plan an initial examination, prescribe full symptomatic treatment and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist.
Expert advice
Modern advertising offers many “quick” solutions for back pain: various gels, ointments and patches.Some of them have pain-relieving effects but should not be used continuously without medical supervision.In some cases, warming gels can only be harmful.So if you have lower back pain, you should consult your doctor, even if you have tried to suppress the symptoms.
Diagnosis of lower back pain
At the first appointment, the doctor interviews the patient, finds out how long the symptoms have lasted, the dynamics of their development and the presence of accompanying complaints.The doctor will calculate the exact level of pain - on the left or right side, whether the pain is dull, aching, sharp or throbbing, the duration of the attacks and other details to make a preliminary diagnosis.In many typical cases, standard treatment by a general practitioner is possible.
Usually, if there are specific signs of a serious disease in the spine or internal organs, the patient will be referred for additional examination:
- Blood test.Low hemoglobin levels indicate the possible presence of a tumor, increased ESR indicates inflammation or infection, and so on.The doctor advises to carry out not only general, but also biochemical analysis to evaluate the function of internal organs;
- Urine analysis.Research results determine the health of the kidneys and urinary tract.Deviations in the results of the analysis are a direct indication for ultrasound of the urinary system and further examination by a urologist;
- X-ray of the lumbar spine.The photos show some signs of arthritis, disorders of various structures and the closeness of the vertebrae due to degenerative changes.Based on X-rays, doctors can diagnose osteoporosis and see bone fractures;
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Non-X-ray method of examining the patient, allowing you to obtain multiple images (slices) of the area of interest and its three-dimensional image.Unlike X-rays and computed tomography, MRI provides information about the condition not only of bones but also of muscles, blood vessels and soft tissues.
Treats back pain and lower back pain
Uncomplicated forms of pain not associated with serious disease of the spine or internal organs are treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).To get rid of discomfort, just eliminate the provoking factor: lose weight, sit less, walk more, regularly do simple exercises.Encourage moderate physical activity on an ongoing, individual basis.
Getting rid of pain caused by a disease with deeper roots requires a systematic and comprehensive approach.Treatment should include medication, physical therapy, therapeutic exercises, and massage.
Conservation therapy
In case of acute, unbearable pain, the doctor immediately at the appointment will perform a blockade - inject anesthetic into the affected area.The injection quickly relieves discomfort but only provides temporary pain relief.Patients should begin treatment immediately.
To alleviate the exacerbation of the condition, the doctor prescribes:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which help reduce pain and swelling;
- muscle relaxants to relax cramped muscles;
- Vitamin B to improve regeneration and nutrition of nerve fibers.
If the cause of back pain is due to pathology of internal organs, then the patient is prescribed medication to treat the underlying pathology.
Support engineering
After the exacerbation of the condition subsides, the following treatments are effective:
- wear a special fixation bandage;
- medical massage of the lumbar region;
- shock wave therapy;
- swimming and exercise classes;
- acupuncture;
- apply bandage;
- manual therapy;
- Other physical therapy techniques.
Surgical intervention
Surgery is the last resort.Surgical treatment is indicated for severe structural disorders of the spinal cord or internal organs.There are many techniques.The specific type of intervention is ultimately planned by a neurosurgeon, urologist or abdominal surgeon, taking into account the established diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient's condition.
Don't put up with lower back pain.Make an appointment to see a therapist, neurologist, or urologist at the clinic.At the medical center you can get a comprehensive examination, find out the causes of back discomfort and receive high-quality treatment.