Any pain is a sign of problems in the body.Back pain occurs as a symptom of the reflection of diseases of the internal systems and individual organs, primarily with degenerative-dystrophic changes in the locomotor system.The cause of lower back pain may be a consultation with a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, vertebrologist, gastroenterologist, urologist and gynecologist.
Pain of pain - strife
In addition to injuries resulting from injuries, the following diseases can be the possible causes of lower back pain:
- spine;
- internal organs of the pelvis and gastrointestinal tract;
- muscles.
The strength and duration of lower back pain varies significantly, and they can be:
- sharp and painful;
- permanent or intermittent;
- it is localized at one point, for example, on the right or left side, or it moves, if the pain is the result of the projection of the pathology of the peritoneum and pelvic organs.
What could it be?
To establish a diagnosis, the nature, location and frequency of the pain must be determined, the temperature must be measured (a high temperature indicates the presence of inflammation and/or infection), the accompanying symptoms of the disease must be analyzed (vomiting, tongue mucosa, diarrhea, redness or rash) and a doctor must be consulted.
Note!The higher the temperature, the more likely the cause of the pain is infectious, such as herpes zoster, which is characterized by lower back pain and characteristic skin rashes.
After a conversation with the patient and an external examination to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may, if necessary, order blood and urine tests, as well as:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- x-ray.
1. Spine problems
Spine problems characterized by chronic low back pain are accompanied by limited movement lasting from several hours to several weeks, and the temperature does not rise.The most well-known low back pain syndromes are:
- radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord, often inflammatory in nature.They mainly suffer from the cords formed by the roots and located between the vertebrae.Most often, it does not have an acute onset.It can be a secondary symptom of another disease, for example, osteochondrosis or spinal tuberculosis;
- lumbago (lumbago)- sudden attack of acute pain at the moment of lifting a heavy object, with awkward movement or hypothermia.Stiffness and constant tension accompany the lower back muscles for a long time.It can be a consequence of many diseases, in addition to osteochondrosis, for example, the displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region;
- sciatica (inflammation and compression of the sciatic nerve).Paroxysmal pain in the lower back often shifts to the sacrum and the back of the legs.In women, it may be the result of chronic inflammation of the appendages.
Note!If the nerve roots of the spinal cord are damaged, the pain in the lower back can spread to the legs, one or both, accompanied by a feeling of numbness and "pins and needles".
The most common diseases that cause lower back pain are:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by the loosening of the cartilage and bone tissue of the joints, the involvement of nerves in the pathogenesis, and pain due to pinching of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord.
- Spondylosis- dystrophic change (gradual thinning) of the lumbar vertebrae, the ligaments weaken and bone growth occurs, the spinal canal narrows.As a result, bone growths begin to compress the nerve roots, causing aching pain, which can be accompanied by weakness and numbness in the legs.It can lead to displacement of the vertebrae.Displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in the lumbar region can cause pathology in the underlying vertebrae and interfere with the function of the rectum and bladder.
- Ankylosing spondylitisit affects the intervertebral joints responsible for the mobility of the spine or the synovial joints.It manifests itself in joint and spinal pain, eye damage, proliferation of the connective tissue of the spinal joints, stiffness of the lumbar joints and complete loss of mobility.
- Protrusion(protrusion of the intervertebral cartilage without violating its integrity), then herniation of the intervertebral disc (protrusion with violation of the integrity of the cartilage, compression of the nerve roots), which leads to the loss of joint function.Lower back pain can radiate to the legs.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)due to chronic inflammation, it can lead to compression of the nerves and spinal cord that pass through it.The disease is accompanied by back pain and cramps that occur after a long walk, and spinal claudication syndrome.When sitting or lying down, the pain subsides, but when physical activity is resumed, it intensifies again.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).In complicated cases, with the protective spasm of the back muscles against the background of osteochondrosis of the spine, with intervertebral disc herniation of the lumbar region, pain may occur in the lumbar region.
Good to know!When the vertebrae are displaced, it is important to determine the cause of the problem: as a result of injury or degenerative processes.In the second case, regular adjustments of the vertebrae with the help of a chiropractor can aggravate the situation, leading to the permanent destruction of the vertebral processes and pinched nerves.
Low back pain can be caused by non-infectious chronic inflammation of the joints, in the pathogenesis of which ligaments, muscles and spinal cartilage are affected as a result of autoimmune processes.
2. Infections, myositis, tumors
The lower back is the most massive part of the spine, which is subjected to maximum load.Inflammatory processes in this area are accompanied by bone pain, fatigue, headache, limited movement and fever.
It can be caused by infectious diseases affecting the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess, etc.);
Acute cramping pain in the lower back when bending occurs due to stretching or inflammation of muscles and ligaments (myositis), hypothermia, excessive physical exertion.They appear suddenly and remain still;they can spread to the sacrum and the back of the legs, making it difficult to bend and turn from side to side.
Low back pain can also be the result of a tumor on the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve fibers or retroperitoneal space.
3. Problems of internal organs
Pathologies of internal organs are often manifested as belt-like lumbar pain, which indicates extensive damage to nerve fibers.
Among the main diseases of internal organs characterized by pain in the lower back:
- pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Low back pain is acute, often radiating and/or in the upper abdomen.Possible repeated vomiting, diarrhea, coating on the tongue, decreased blood pressure;
- other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction or inflammation, ulcerative colitis).In case of appendicitis with an atypical course, lower back pain may be accompanied by a single vomiting;
- inflammatory kidney diseases.Pain in the lower back is annoying, aching - with nephritis (pyelonephritis), sharp, spasmodic - with renal colic (due to the movement of the stone from the renal pelvis to the ureter).In case of lower back pain, another sign of kidney or bladder disease is frequent urination.The urine is cloudy, sometimes mixed with blood.Possible fever, weakness, chills, headache, swelling, difficulty urinating;
- inflammation of the reproductive system.Pain in the lower abdomen (with inflammation of the appendages in women), in the anus (with inflammation of the prostate in men) and radiates to the lower back.The pain is accompanied by general intoxication (weakness, headache, fever), spotting (in women).
In addition, pain may radiate to the lumbar region due to adhesions (scars) formed after surgery, as well as circulatory disorders of the spinal cord (can lead to stroke) or metabolism (gout).
Back pain and pregnancy
Pregnancy aggravates the manifestations of diseases in the mother's body.Due to changes in hormone levels and increased stress, pathologies appear especially often in the second half of pregnancy.In addition to the pain accompanying the risk of premature birth, lower back pain in pregnant women can be caused by:
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- radiculitis;
- pancreatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urolithiasis (kidney stone).
Lower back pain can indicate spinal problems and can also be a symptom of a urological, gynecological or gastroenterological disease.They most often occur when spinal nerves are irritated and nerve roots are pinched.In order not to aggravate the situation, make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, contact a therapist who will determine the area of pathology and refer the treatment to the appropriate specialist.