80% of people suffer from lower back pain.For some, it may be one or more episodes in life, while for others, the pain is chronic.There are many reasons that cause pain, so you should definitely consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.Each condition must be considered separately to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The thing that causes the pain
The likelihood of developing back pain increases due to a number of factors.
Age and poor physical fitness
The first problems with the lower back are felt between 25-45 years.With age, back pain becomes painful and chronic due to aging.
If the muscles that support the spine are not sufficiently developed and strengthened, it can lead to spinal diseases.Lower back pain often occurs in so-called physically fit people who lift heavy objects.
Overweight and heredity
Obesity places additional stress on the lumbar region.
There is a genetic predisposition to diseases.For example, if one of your relatives has a history of spondylosis or radiculitis, then you may be prone to the same pathology.
Working conditions
If your job involves lifting heavy objects, you may injure your back.Also, prolonged sitting can cause back pain, especially in a person with poor posture.
Backpack
Try to pull your child's bag.Wearing it if it weighs more than 20% of the baby's weight can cause muscle strain and back pain.
Other household reasons
Back pain may occur during daily activities:
- Lifting a heavy box to a heavy box;
- rearrangement of furniture;
- Lifting weights in the gym;
- Your back during sports (golf, tennis, contact sports);
- during agricultural and construction activities.
Spinal problems, radicular pain and herniated discs
A common cause of back pain is disease or injury to the bones and/or nerves of the spine.
When the nerve is directly irritated, radicular pain appears due to pinching and tearing.For example, with sciatica, the pain syndrome is acute, accompanied by numbness in the area of the leg innervated by the affected nerve.
Hernias develop as the spine degenerates or thins.The jelly-like center of the disc protrudes from its central cavity and away from the nerve root.Intervertebral discs begin to degenerate by the 3rd decade of life.Herniated discs occur in one third of people over the age of 20.But only 3% of them cause back pain.
Spondylosis and narrowing of the spinal canal
It occurs when intervertebral discs lose moisture and volume with age, causing a decrease in disc height.Even minor trauma with spondylosis can cause inflammation and nerve root damage.This can lead to classic sciatica without a ruptured disc.
Degeneration of the spinal disc combined with disease in the joints of the lower back can cause narrowing of the spinal canal.These changes cause pain.Narrowing of the canal is clearly visible on an X-ray.A person with spinal stenosis may have lower back pain that lowers both the lower extremities.Symptoms may worsen after prolonged standing or walking short distances.
Cauda Equina Syndrome and Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes
This is an emergency where the spinal cord itself is compressed.The disc expands into the spinal canal, which compresses the nerves.The person complains of pain, possible sensitivity, bowel or bladder dysfunction.This can lead to urinary incontinence: urinary incontinence or inability to initiate urination.
Musculoskeletal pain syndromes cause significant symptoms and include myofascial syndromes and fibromyalgia:
- Myofascial pain is characterized by tenderness in localized areas (trigger points).The range of motion in the involved muscle groups is reduced.Relief often occurs when a muscle group can be involved.
- Fibromyalgia results in widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body.Patients complain of general tension, fatigue and muscle stiffness.
Muscle or ligament strain, bulging or ruptured discs
Repeated lifting of heavy objects or sudden awkward movements can strain the muscles in your back and lower back.If a person is in poor physical condition, constant stress on the back can cause painful muscle spasms.
Discs act as cushions between the bones of the spine.The soft core of the disc can bulge or collapse and put pressure on the nerve.However, it is possible to have a bulging or ruptured disc without back pain.The disease is often discovered accidentally when an X-ray is taken for another reason.
Arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back.In some cases, arthritis of the spine can cause narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.This condition is called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis in the spine can cause compression fractures when the bones are porous and brittle.
Spondylolisthesis and skeletal diseases
A condition in which a bone in the spine has fallen out or moved out of its normal position.This can cause back pain and stiffness, as well as numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Skeletal disorders, curvatures of the spine (scoliosis), can cause back pain.It usually occurs before middle age.
Infectious inflammatory processes
Bone infection of the spine (osteomyelitis) is a rare cause of back pain.Inflammation of the nerves can occur when the nerves become infected with the Herpes Zoster virus, which causes the nerves to shine.This can occur in the thoracic region, causing symptoms in the upper back or lower back, causing back pain.
Spondylitis can cause stiffness and pain in the lower back that is worse in the morning.Ankylosing spondylitis usually starts in people during puberty and young adulthood.
Tumors and other causes
Benign and malignant tumors (including metastases) can cause back pain.
Pain caused by organ abnormalities in the abdomen, pelvis or chest can also be felt in the back.For example, appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney disease, kidney infection, bladder and pelvic infection, and ovarian disease can cause low back pain.This pain is not related to physical activity and occurs suddenly.If it appears, you should urgently contact a medical facility or call an ambulance at home.Normal pregnancy can also cause back pain.When a baby is walking, you may experience pelvic tension, nerve irritation, and back strain.
Prevents back pain
For prevention, experts recommend the following methods:
- Exercise regularly.Moderate exercise is suitable: Walking, swimming or cycling for 30 minutes a day.Yoga helps to relieve muscle tension, strengthen muscles and improve posture.
- Before work, exercise at home or work in the garden, do a short warm-up by stretching.
- Do not lean on your lower back or posture when standing or sitting.Poor posture increases stress on the lower back.
- At home or at work, make sure work surfaces are at a comfortable height for you.The chair should support your back well.Do not sit too much, take a break to walk periodically.
- Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes.
- Sleeping with your knees slightly bent can help loosen the joints in your lower back and reduce spinal curvature.
- Try not to lift objects that are too heavy.If you have to carry weights, you should lift them by pushing with your legs.You can't bend your back or overdo it - it should stay straight.
- To maintain your optimal weight, do not overheat.Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D should be taken to support the skeletal system.
- Quit smoking.Smoking reduces blood flow in the lower back, which can contribute to the development of degenerative processes.
When a doctor will see
If you associate the occurrence of back pain with, for example, lifting heavy objects, your health will be restored after rest.You can take a pain reliever.
If you need to see a doctor:
- The pain does not go away for several days or becomes more intense;
- Radiating into the abdomen or radiating on the legs;
- increase in body temperature;
- There was severe lethargy and weakness;
- If you have recently lost a lot of weight for an obvious reason;
- Defecation and urination became uncontrolled and spontaneous;
- A sports, car or household injury has occurred.
As you can see, the cause of back pain is wide.In less than 1% of people, the cause of lower back pain is a tumor, infectious processes or problems with internal organs.