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lower back hurts

When the lower back hurts, a person's life becomes miserable due to the colossal discomfort it causes.Meanwhile, there is no person whose low back pain has not been a symptom that has appeared at least once in their life.Low back pain can occur for various reasons and in different ways.In its manifestations, the pain is sudden and increasing, stabbing and painful.However, there is one common characteristic: if it is not treated, it will get worse.

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region.

The human spine is exposed every day to stresses of different intensity, from insignificant to significant.At the same time, it does not always manage to compensate for the loads and distribute them over the surrounding tissues without damage, which is why it suffers microtrauma.It should be noted that the lumbosacral spine is often subject to overload.Additionally, there are other reasons why your lower back may hurt.This includes infection, genetics, organ damage, etc.

lower back pain when sitting

Why does the lower back hurt (female causes)?

  1. Inflammatory diseases manifest as low back pain or give complications that lead to this symptom:
    1. Vulvitis – inflammation of the external genitalia;
    2. Colpitis – inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
    3. Adnexitis – inflammation of the uterine appendages;
  2. During pregnancy, the load on the spine in general, and on the lumbar area in particular, especially increases.As a rule, the lower back stops hurting after childbirth.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, causing local inflammation.In addition, abortion is accompanied by serious psychological stress;
  4. Pain during menstruation or, in scientific language, algodismenorrhea.The menstrual cycle is a process that is associated with hormonal changes in the body.It is also accompanied by rejection of the endometrial layer (lining of the uterus), which causes blood loss and causes intense contractions of the uterus to eliminate “garbage.”This can cause stomach and lower back pain;
  5. Climax.Problems with the body's hormonal balance can cause poor circulation to the organs in the pelvic area.Because of this, bone density decreases and osteoporosis develops;
  6. Suspicion.Although this quality is common to both sexes, in the vast majority of cases it is characteristic of women;
  7. Large chest 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 sometimes causes pain in the lower back;
  2. Epididymitis.Inflammation of the epididymis can be reflected in discomfort in the lower back;
  3. Men aged 50 and older have a higher risk of genital cancer.What could be the cause of lower back pain?
examination by a doctor to detect low back pain

Why does the lower back hurt (common causes)?

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

  1. Skeletal anomalies 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% - genetics, in the rest - multiple factors.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 pain in the abdomen, which can radiate to the lumbar region;
  3. Cholecystitis.Low 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.Inflammation of the bladder causes discomfort in the pelvic area;
  6. Diseases of the small intestine, due to its location close to the nerve fibers of the lumbosacral region, can cause pain in this area.Enteritis (gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, gastroenterocolitis), intestinal enzymopathies, diverticulosis;
  7. Kidneys.Low back pain usually accompanies diseases of these organs.Pyelonephritis, renal prolapse, renal failure, urolithiasis, amyloidosis, lupus nephritis, etc.;
  8. Excess weight increases the load on the spine and leads to its gradual destruction;
  9. Damage to tuberculous tissue;
  10. Ankylosing spondyloarthritis;
  11. Inflammation of the lower back muscles as a result of a viral or bacterial infection;
  12. Malignant tumors that develop or metastasize in the lower back;
  13. Benign formations that grow on or compress nerve fibers;
  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 healing process of postoperative wounds.For example, adhesions of the intestine to organs or to the abdominal wall after laparotomy;
  16. Hypothermia, stress, poor nutrition, injuries;
  17. For other diseases.

"Improper posture is the main reason 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 the nerve ganglia of organs and tissues.Pain is the most common reason why patients go to the hospital, and it is also usually the first sign of the disease and a warning of it.Pain is a signal of damage that helps trigger protective (for example, muscle spasm to limit the mobility of the affected part of the body when a nerve is pinched) and compensatory mechanisms of the body (for example, fibrosis in the late stage of osteochondrosis).There are many different classifications of pain.

back pain in the lumbar region

Depending on the location of the sensation, we can divide the reasons why the lower back hurts a lot 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 that radiates to the lumbar area) that is not directly related to the spine and muscles of the lumbar region, so it can be very diverse.

The nature of the pain is constant (otherwise chronic) and periodic (otherwise acute).The first type is associated with irreversible processes of circulatory disorders, nerve damage or damage to the musculoskeletal system.As a general 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 eliminating its cause.

Referred pain is when the sensations do not match the true source of the pain (the original source, the site of damage).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 internal organs, pain arises, called referred pain, which is localized in a specific dermatome in accordance with the Zakharyin-Ged zones.

Depending on the location, the pain can be superficial somatic (damage to the skin), deep somatic (alterations of the musculoskeletal system and tissues), visceral (damage to the internal organs of the body).

Depending on the nerves affected, 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 low back pain.It is a complex disease that consists of inflammation and destruction of tissues, compression of nerves and blood vessels.Has extensive symptoms;
  2. Lumbago.Stabbing pain in the lower back.In most cases, it is the result of osteochondrosis and its complication - a herniated disc.Therefore, the treatment is similar;
  3. Osteoporosis.A chronic progressive metabolic disease of the bones, in which their density decreases and their fragility increases.In other words, thinning of the bones.It is the main cause of hip fractures in older people.The disease deforms the skeleton, joints and cartilage.Typical of women during menopause.Osteoporosis risk assessment: Anyone who has ever broken a bone (e.g., vertebra, hip) should be evaluated with minor force;
  4. Scoliosis.Curvature of the spine, causing asymmetry of the shoulders, poor posture, impaired motor function of the skeleton, ribs protruding from the left or right side;
  5. Rheumatoid arthritis.Women are more susceptible to the disease.It develops most frequently during menopause.It is a chronic systemic disease that involves 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.It is a chronic inflammation of the joints that causes fibrosis, that is, the proliferation of connective tissue.Mainly located in the spine.Accompanied by pain, eye damage and decreased growth.Leads to complete loss of joint mobility;
  7. Spondylosis.Chronic spinal disease, manifested by changes in the fibrous tissue of the intervertebral space and the formation of spinal bone growths (spondylophytes or osteophytes) on the sides of the vertebrae.More often as a result of old age;
  8. Phlebothrombosis.Partial or complete blockage of 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 down of blood flow.Prolonged use of high heels increases the risk of developing pathology.Phlebothrombosis is extremely dangerous because even a severe stage is practically asymptomatic;
  9. Thrombophlebitis.Partial or total cessation of blood circulation in superficial veins due to the formation of blood clots caused by pathological changes in the vein as a result of its inflammation.Most often, the disease is a consequence of varicose veins.Phlebothrombosis may be a later development of this disease;
  10. Atherosclerosis.Slowing or stopping blood flow in a vessel due to cholesterol plaques.The disease is typical of 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 for several days.Requires immediate treatment;
  12. Different leg lengths.More than 3 cm.The disease develops due to atrophy of the muscles in one of the legs.
Spinal damage as a cause of low back pain.

These diseases and many others are the reason why the lower back hurts constantly.All of them require urgent and serious treatment.However, it is usually symptomatic and its objective is to stop the development of the disease.

What to do if your lower back hurts

"If your lower back hurts periodically, it is a sign that you should take seriously and undergo an urgent examination."

In case of sudden pain, the cause of which is unclear, body temperature should be measured and symptoms noted.Such as vomiting, diarrhea, tongue coating, nature and location of pain, etc.Lie down on a hard 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 in which the cause of the pain is known.For example, in case of a bruise or sprain in the lower back, first aid is provided with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tablets or, better, ointments).You can take a diuretic once to reduce swelling and wrap your lower back with a brace 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 nightstand under your knees.Relax completely.This will help the body adopt the most natural position for the spine;
  2. Gentle stretching of the lumbosacral region.Lie gently and carefully with your stomach down on the table, resting your hands on it to bend with minimal stress on your back.You can also tighten your abdominal muscles.Position yourself so that your sink is on the edge of the table.That is, get closer to the table until your hips touch it and lie down.Completely relax the muscles of your back, glutes and legs.Half of the body hangs on the table in a relaxed state.In this state, breathe deeply into your diaphragm (belly) and hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds, then exhale slowly.Breathe 7 to 10 times this way.Then stand up carefully, using 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 on all fours.The hands are shoulder-width apart and perpendicular to them.Legs wider than shoulders.The back should remain in a natural position without bowing or arching.In this position, inhale deeply into the diaphragm and then exhale as much as possible, imagining how the navel is stretched towards the spine.At the end of the exhalation, hold for 2-3 seconds, while squeezing the muscles of the buttocks and hips, but not the lower back!Then relax.Perform 7 to 10 such breaths and 2 to 3 sets of exercises;
exercises for lower back pain

What not to do if your lower back hurts:

  • Heat.This can increase inflammation and make the situation worse;
  • Taking pain relievers without an established diagnosis.Pain is the body's defense mechanism.There may be no pain, but this does not mean that the degenerative changes have stopped;
  • Set the bones yourself or even with a chiropractor without examination or diagnosis.Regular adjustment of the vertebrae will further damage the spine.Displacement of the vertebrae does not always occur as a result of injury.In the case, for example, of advanced osteochondrosis.

"First you have to treat the underlying disease and then its symptoms."

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

  1. Consideration of patients' complaints, examination of joint mobility, assessment of the degree of degenerative changes;
  2. General urine and blood analysis;
  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.

Low back pain treatment

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

tablets for lower back pain

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

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  2. muscle relaxants;
  3. Narcotic pain relievers;
  4. Corticosteroids;
  5. Locks;
  6. Minerals and vitamins.

Some of the best means to relieve pain are ointments, creams and gels:

  • NSAIDs;
  • Ointments containing diclofenac;
  • Combined medications;
  • Anti-inflammatory ointments;
  • Medicinal patches.

Symptomatic therapy is used only for incurable diseases.Modern medicine takes a comprehensive approach to treating low back pain.Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are added to NSAIDs.It has been shown that the use of high therapeutic doses of vitamin B enhances the effect of NSAIDs due to better restoration of nervous tissue.Therefore, the optimal addition to NSAIDs is a combination of vitamins.Therefore, to combat pain most effectively, treatment with this medication begins with daily injections for 7 to 10 days.Added to this are physiotherapy procedures, physiotherapy, massages, etc.In this way, the most effective and long-term treatment is achieved.

Prevention

Prevention of low back pain is as follows:

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