The lower back hurts

When the lower back hurts, a person's life becomes miserable due to the tremendous discomfort it causes.There is now no person whose lumbar spine pain has not occurred at least once in their life.Lower back pain can occur for different reasons and in different ways.In its manifestations, the pain is sudden and increasing, shooting and aching.However, there is one common feature: if it is not treated, it will get worse.

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region

The human spine is exposed to varying levels of stress every day, ranging from insignificant to significant.At the same time, he does not always manage to compensate for the loads and distribute them to the surrounding tissues without harm to himself, as a result of which he suffers microtraumas.It should be noted that the lumbosacral spine is often exposed to overload.In addition, there are a number of other reasons why your lower back may hurt.These include infections, genetics, organ damage, etc.

Why does the lower back hurt (female causes):

1. Inflammatory diseases are manifested by pain in the lower back or lead to complications leading 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 strain on the spine in general and the lower back in particular is particularly increased.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, leading to local inflammation.In addition, abortion is associated with severe psychological distress;
4. Pain during menstruation or, in technical terms, algodismenorrhea.The menstrual cycle is a process associated with hormonal changes in the body.This is also accompanied by the rejection of the uterine lining (endometrium), which leads to blood loss and strong contractions of the uterus to remove “waste”.This can lead to stomach and back pain;
5. climax.Problems with the hormonal balance in the body can lead to poor blood flow to the organs in the pelvic area.This causes bone density to decrease and osteoporosis to develop;
6. Mistrust.Although this trait is common to both sexes, in the vast majority of cases it is characteristic of women;
7. Large breast size;
8. High heels and carrying a heavy handbag can also cause lower back pain.

Why does the lower back hurt (male causes):

1. Prostatitis.Inflammation of the prostate can sometimes cause pain in the lumbar region;
2. Epididymitis.Inflammation of the epididymis can manifest itself in discomfort in the lower back;
3. Men aged 50 and over have an increased risk of genital cancer.What could be the cause of lower back pain?

Why does the lower back hurt (common causes):

Lower back pain can occur due to many musculoskeletal disorders.But in addition to diseases of the spine (spondyloarthrosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis...) and injuries, there are many causes:

1. Anomalies or defects of the skeleton: kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis, spina bifida, wedge 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 - several factors.In most cases there is no treatment, sometimes surgical correction is acceptable;
2. Appendicitis.Inflammation of the appendix of the appendix (appendix) leads to sudden stabbing pain in the abdomen that can radiate to the lumbar region;
3. Cholecystitis.Lower back pain may be due to inflammation of the gallbladder;
4. Acute pancreatitis.Inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by girdle pain;
5. Cystitis.A bladder infection leads to discomfort in the pelvic area;
6. Diseases of the small intestine can cause pain in this area due to their proximity to the nerve fibers of the lumbosacral region.Enteritis (gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, gastroenterocolitis), intestinal enzymopathies, diverticulosis;
7. Kidneys.Pain in the lower back is often accompanied by 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. Tuberculous tissue damage;
10. ankylosing spondylitis;
11. Inflammation of the lower back muscles as a result of a viral or bacterial infection;
12. Malignant tumors that develop or metastasize to the lower back;
13. Benign formations that grow on or compress nerve fibers;
14. Spinal epidural abscess.Purulent inflammation of the spinal space;
15. Adhesions in the abdominal or pelvic area 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 the abdominal wall after laparotomy;
16. Hypothermia, stress, poor nutrition, injuries;
17. Due to other illnesses.

“Incorrect posture is the main reason a child may experience lower back pain.”

Types of lumbar back pain

Pain is a psychological and physiological reaction of the body to strong irritation of nerve nodes in organs and tissues.Pain is the most common reason for patients to go to the hospital and is also usually the first sign and warning of illness.Pain is a signal of damage that helps trigger protective mechanisms (e.g. muscle spasms to limit mobility of the affected part of the body when a nerve is pinched) and compensatory mechanisms of the body (e.g. fibrosis in the final stage of osteochondrosis).There are many different classifications of pain.

Based on the location of the sensation, we can divide the reasons why the lower back hurts a lot into two 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 radiating to the lower back) that is not directly related to the spine and the muscles of the lumbar region and therefore 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 rule, eliminating the cause of persistent pain is difficult or impossible.The second type includes acute organ diseases, injuries and individual physiological characteristics of the body.Periodic pain disappears after the cause is eliminated.

Referred pain occurs when the sensations do not correspond to the true source of pain (the original source, the site of damage).For example, pain that radiates into the leg when the nerve roots in the lumbosacral spine are compressed is called projected.And after damage to the internal organs, pain appears, so-called referred pain, localized in a specific dermatome according to the Zakharyin-Ged zones.

Depending on the location, the pain can be somatic superficial (damage to the skin), somatic deep (disorders of the musculoskeletal system and tissue) or visceral (damage to organs in the body).

Depending on the nerves affected, the pain may be neuropathic in nature if peripheral nerves are damaged or central in nature if the central nervous system is damaged.

Diseases characterized by chronic lower back pain

Here they are:

1. Intervertebral osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is one of the most common causes of low back pain.This is a complex disease that consists of inflammation and tissue destruction as well as compression of nerves and blood vessels.Has extensive symptoms;
2. Lumbago.Stabbing pain in 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 brittleness increases.In other words: thinning of the bones.It is the most common cause of hip fractures in older people.The disease deforms the skeleton, joints and cartilage.Typical for women during menopause.Assessing Osteoporosis Risk: Anyone who has ever broken a bone (e.g., vertebra, hip) with low force should be evaluated;
4. Scoliosis.Curvature of the spine, leading to asymmetry of the shoulders, poor posture, impaired motor function of the skeleton, and protruding ribs on the left or right side;
5. Rheumatoid arthritis.Women are more susceptible to the disease.It most often develops during menopause.This is a systemic chronic disease that affects muscles, ligaments and cartilage in a 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.This is a chronic inflammation of the joints that leads to fibrosis - i.e. an increase in connective tissue.Mainly located in the spine.Accompanied by pain, eye damage and reduced growth.Leads to complete loss of joint mobility;
7. Spondylosis.Chronic disease of the spine, 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 a result of age;
8. Phlebothrombosis.Partial or complete occlusion of the deep leg veins due to blood clots.It arises due to the simultaneous combination of three factors: pathology of the walls of blood vessels, thickening and slowing of blood flow.Wearing high heels for a long time increases the risk of developing pathology.Phlebothrombosis is extremely dangerous because it is practically asymptomatic until it reaches a severe stage;
9. Thrombophlebitis.Partial or complete loss of blood circulation in the 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.A further development of this disease can be phlebothrombosis;
10. Arteriosclerosis.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 over several days.Requires immediate treatment;
12. Different leg lengths.More than 3cm.The disease occurs due to atrophy of the muscles of one of the legs.

These and many other diseases are the reason why the lower back hurts constantly.They all require urgent and serious treatment.However, it is often symptomatic and has the purpose of slowing down the further development of the disease.

What to do if your lower back hurts?

“If your lower back hurts regularly, this is a serious signal that should be urgently examined.”

If pain occurs suddenly and the cause is unclear, the body temperature should be measured and the symptoms noted.B. Vomiting, diarrhea, coating on tongue, type and location of pain, etc. Lie on a hard bed or carpet and place thick pillows under your knees, head and upper body.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.

In case the cause of the pain is known.For example, with a bruise or sprain of 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 an orthopedic belt or towel to limit mobility.

Exercises that can relieve pain:

1. Relaxation.Lie down on the carpet.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 assume the most natural position for the spine;
2. Gentle stretching of the lumbosacral region.Gently and carefully lie stomach down on the table and place your hands on it to bend with minimal strain on your back.You can also tighten your abdominal muscles.Position yourself so that your sink is right at the edge of the table.In other words, approach the table until your hips touch it and lie down.Completely relax the back, buttocks and leg muscles.Half of the body hangs relaxed from the table.In this state, breathe in deeply from your diaphragm (abdomen), hold your breath for 3-5 seconds and then exhale slowly.Take 7-10 breaths in this way.Then rise carefully, using your hands and abdominal muscles, with minimal tension in the lower back.You can repeat the exercise several times;
3. Relief of the lumbosacral region.Get on all fours.Hands are shoulder-width apart and perpendicular to it.Legs wider than shoulders.The back should remain in a natural position without arching or arching.In this position, breathe in deeply using your diaphragm and then breathe out as far as possible.As you do this, imagine your navel expanding toward your spine.At the end of exhalation, hold for 2-3 seconds, tensing the muscles of the buttocks and hips, but not those of the lower back!Then relax.Do 7-10 such breaths and 2-3 sets of exercises;

What not to do if your lower back hurts:

• Warm up.This can increase inflammation and make the situation worse;
• Take painkillers without a confirmed diagnosis.Pain is the body's defense mechanism.There may be no pain, but that does not mean that the degenerative changes have stopped;
• Set bones yourself or even with a chiropractor without examination and diagnosis.Regular adjustment of the vertebrae leads to further damage to the spine.Displacement of the vertebrae is not always a result of an injury.For example, in advanced osteochondrosis.

“The underlying disease must be treated first, then its symptoms.”

To determine the cause of such a common symptom as lower back pain, extensive examinations and consultations with various specialists may be required: neurologists, vertebral doctors, gynecologists, etc. If you are not sure which specialist to go to, you can consult a therapist.The most common examination procedures are the following:

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

Treating lower back pain

Treatment depends on the diagnosis as there is not a cure for every disease.This article lists just a few common names of medications commonly used to treat lower back pain.However, it is strongly not recommended to self-medicate and to take medications only after consulting a doctor.

Drug treatment for back pain is aimed at relieving inflammation and relieving pain.And for this purpose the following types of drugs are used:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
2. muscle relaxants;
3. narcotic analgesics;
4. corticosteroids;
5. blockages;
6. minerals and vitamins.

The best pain relief remedies include ointments, creams and gels:

• NSAIDs;
• Ointments containing diclofenac;
• Combined medications;
• anti-inflammatory ointments;
• Medical plasters.

Symptomatic therapy is only used for incurable diseases.Modern medicine takes a comprehensive approach to treating lower back pain.Vitamins B1, B6, B12 are added to NSAIDs.It has been proven that the use of high therapeutic doses of B vitamins enhances the effects of NSAIDs due to improved restoration of nervous tissue.Therefore, the optimal supplement to NSAIDs is a combination preparation with vitamins.Therefore, in order to combat pain as effectively as possible, treatment with this medication begins with daily injections for 7-10 days.There are also physiotherapeutic procedures, exercise therapy, massage, etc. This results in the most effective and long-term treatment.

Prevention

Prevention of lower back pain is as follows:

• Regular physical activity to keep the body in shape and develop muscles.If it is not possible to play sports, 15-minute therapeutic exercises 2-3 times a day will help not to get sick;
• Pay attention to your posture;
• Less stress, more fruit and vegetables.Strong immunity protects you from many diseases;
• A balanced diet with essential minerals and vitamins;
• An annual check-up by a doctor is the best precaution to detect diseases early;
• Supporting the water-salt balance.The human body needs 1.5 to 4 liters of water per day, depending on body weight, weather and activity.