Any pain is a sign of problems in the body.Back pain arises as a symptom of a reflection of diseases of internal systems and individual organs, mainly with musculoskeletal degenerative-dystrophic changes.Low back pain can be a reason to consult a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, vertebrologist, gastroenterologist, urologist and gynecologist.
Pain pain - discord
In addition to injuries resulting from injuries, possible causes of low back pain may include the following diseases:
- backbone;
- internal organs of the pelvis and gastrointestinal tract;
- musculature.
Low back pain varies significantly in intensity and duration, they can be:
- sharp and painful;
- permanent or periodic;
- localized at one point, for example, on the right or left, or in motion when the pain is the result of a projection of the pathology of the peritoneal and pelvic organs.
What could it be?
To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to determine the nature, location and frequency of the pain, measure the temperature (a high temperature indicates the presence of inflammation and/or infection), analyze the symptoms accompanying the disease (vomiting, mucous membrane of the tongue, diarrhea, redness or rash on the skin) and consult a doctor.
Note!The higher the temperature, the more likely the cause of the pain is infectious, for example herpes zoster, which is characterized by lower back pain and characteristic skin rashes.
After a conversation with the patient and his external examination to confirm the diagnosis, if necessary, the doctor may prescribe blood and urine tests, as well as:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- Radiography.
1. Spine problems
Spinal problems, characterized by chronic low back pain, are accompanied by limited mobility from several hours to several weeks and no increase in temperature.The best known low back pain syndromes are:
- radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord, often of an inflammatory nature.They mainly suffer from the cords formed by the roots and located between the vertebrae.Most of the time it does not have an acute onset.It may be a secondary symptom of another disease, such as osteochondrosis or spinal tuberculosis;
- lumbago (lumbago)- a sudden, sharp attack of pain when lifting something heavy, with clumsy movements, or hypothermia.Accompanied by stiffness and constant tension in the lumbar muscles for a long time.It can be a consequence of various diseases, in addition to osteochondrosis, for example, displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region;
- sciatica (inflammation, compression of the sciatic nerve).Paroxysmal pain in the lower back often moves to the sacrum and the back of the legs.In women, it may be a consequence of chronic inflammation of the appendages.
Note!When the nerve roots of the spinal cord are damaged, pain in the lower back can spread to one or both legs, accompanied by sensations of numbness and “tingling.”
The most common diseases that cause low back pain are:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by loosening of the cartilage and bone tissue of the joints with 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, which narrows the spinal canal.As a result, bone growths begin to compress the nerve roots, causing pain, which may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs.It can cause displacement of the vertebrae.Displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in the lumbar region can cause pathology of the vertebrae located below and disrupt the functioning of the rectum and bladder.
- Ankylosing spondylitisIt affects the intervertebral joints responsible for spinal mobility, or synovial joints.It manifests itself as pain in the joints and spine, eye damage, proliferation of the connective tissue of the spinal joints, stiffness and complete loss of mobility of the lumbar joints.
- protrusion(protrusion of the intervertebral cartilage without violating its integrity), and then herniation of the intervertebral disc (protrusion with violation of the integrity of the cartilage, compression of the nerve roots), leading 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 cause compression of the nerves and spinal cord that pass through it.The disease is accompanied by pain and cramps in the back that appear after long walks and spinal claudication syndrome.In a sitting or lying position, the pain subsides, but when physical activity is resumed it intensifies again.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).In complicated cases, with a protective spasm of the back muscles against the background of spinal osteochondrosis with a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar region, pain in the lumbar region may appear.
Good to know!When the vertebrae shift, it is important to determine the cause of the problem: as a result of injury or as a result of degenerative processes.In the second case, regular adjustment of the vertebrae with the help of a chiropractor can aggravate the situation, causing the final destruction of the vertebral processes and pinching of the nerves.
Low back pain can be caused by a chronic non-infectious inflammation of the joints that involves ligaments, muscles and spinal cartilage in the pathogenesis due to autoimmune processes.
2. Infections, myositis, tumors.
The lumbar area is the most massive part of the spine and is subject to maximum loads.Inflammatory processes in this area are accompanied by bone pain, fatigue, headache, limited mobility and fever.
It can be caused by infectious diseases that affect the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess, etc.);
Acute spasmodic pain in the lower back when bending occurs with stretching or inflammation (myositis) of muscles and ligaments, due to hypothermia, excessive physical exertion.They appear suddenly and remain at rest;They can extend 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 in the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve fibers, or in the retroperitoneal space.
3. Internal organ problems.
Pathologies of internal organs often manifest themselves as waist-shaped lower back 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).Pain in the lower back is sharp, often cramping in nature, 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 atypical course appendicitis, persistent pain in the lower back may be accompanied by a single vomit;
- inflammatory kidney diseases.Pain in the lower back is annoying, painful, with inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), acute, cramps, with renal colic (due to the movement of a stone from the renal pelvis to the ureter).In case of lower back pain, an additional sign of kidney or bladder disease will be frequent urination.The urine is cloudy, sometimes mixed with blood.Possible fever, weakness, chills, headache, swelling, difficulty urinating;
- inflammation of the reproductive system.It hurts in the lower abdomen (with inflammation of the appendages in women), in the anus (with prostatitis in men) and radiates to the lower back.The pain is accompanied by general intoxication (weakness, headache, fever), spotting (in women).
In addition, pain can radiate to the lumbar region due to adhesions (scars) that form after operations, as well as circulatory disorders of the spinal cord (which can lead to a stroke) or metabolism (gout).
Low back pain and pregnancy.
Pregnancy aggravates the manifestations of existing diseases in the mother's body.Due to changes in hormonal levels and increased stress, pathologies appear especially in the second half of pregnancy.In addition to the pain that accompanies the threat of premature birth, the cause of lower back pain in a pregnant woman can be:
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- radiculitis;
- pancreatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- Urolithiasis (kidney stones).
Low back pain can indicate problems with the spine and can also be a symptom of a urological, gynecological or gastroenterological disease.Most often they appear when the spinal nerves are irritated and the nerve roots are pinched.In order not to aggravate the situation, establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, you should contact a therapist, who will determine the area of pathology and refer you to the appropriate specialist for treatment.