According to WHO statistics, more than 85% of the world's population suffers from various types of osteochondrosis.
Such figures prove that almost every person of working age has experienced back discomfort at least once in their life. Especially often, due to heavy loads, the lumbosacral region suffers. But, in addition to degenerative processes in the spine, numerous pathologies can cause unpleasant sensations in it. Back pain in the lumbar region is associated with impaired kidney and liver function and inflammation of the central nervous system. Moreover, it can signal the development of cancer and genitourinary infections.
Causes of back pain in the lumbar region
There are dozens of factors that can cause lower back discomfort. The vast majority of them lead to the development of life-threatening pathologies. Therefore, at the first signs of back pain in the lumbar region, you should go to the hospital to find out the reasons. According to the doctor's observations, the most common pathologies that cause such symptoms are:
- arthritis;
- osteochondrosis;
- gastrointestinal tract disorders;
- intervertebral hernia.
Also, spasms are often noticed as a result of hypothermia. The sciatic nerve is the largest in our body. With hypothermia it can tighten, resulting in severe pain. In addition, common factors that contribute to lumbosacral discomfort are:
- stress;
- passive lifestyle;
- weightlifting;
- trauma;
- poor nutrition.
Also, back pain in the lumbar region may indicate urolithiasis. Neglecting such pathology is known to be life-threatening. In addition, the same symptom is observed in serious sexually transmitted diseases. It is worth noting that unpleasant feelings of this nature do not always indicate illness. Spasm in the lumbar region is considered normal if it occurs for the following reasons:
- pregnancy;
- menopause;
- menstruation.
But even in such cases, when pain occurs, it is better to consult a specialist. Finally, persistent cramps usually indicate the development of an inflammatory process and are often associated with impaired blood circulation. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from this symptom.
Diagnosis
In total, there are more than 40 reasons that can cause pain in the back and lumbar region. Even an experienced doctor cannot determine the pathology that caused such a symptom without a series of examinations. Usually, for lower back discomfort, doctors use the following diagnostic methods to make a diagnosis:
Basic methods for diagnosing back pain bands in the lumbar region
| Diagnostic technique | Accuracy |
| X-ray of the lumbar region | 87-92% |
| LUMBAL MRI | 97% |
| Ultrasound of the pelvic organs | 85-90% |
| Blood and urine tests | 92% |
| Electroneuromyography | 88-94% |
Also, in cases of symptoms of pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system, endoscopic examination of the intestine or uterus may be required. If a tumor is suspected, a biochemical blood test is performed.
Which doctor should I go to?
When the first unpleasant sensations appear in the lumbosacral area, you should contact a therapist immediately. He will give you a referral for a number of initial check-ups and will tell you which specialist you should contact for further treatment. The following doctors can usually help with these symptoms:
- Surgeon
- Neurologist
You may also need to consult a nephrologist, gastroenterologist or traumatologist. Specialists will quickly determine the most probable causes of back pain in the lumbar region. Preliminary diagnosis should be confirmed by examination results and anamnesis. Despite the diversity of expert profiles, there are a number of questions that each of them asks:
- Has the patient injured his back in recent months?
- Was the patient hypothermic?
- Did any of the patient's relatives suffer from degenerative diseases of the spine?
- What kind of life does a person lead?
- Does the patient have chronic diseases or allergies?
Also, the doctor will definitely explain how long ago there were unpleasant sensations in the lower back, he will ask, after which actions does the spasm intensify? Based on the received information, they will be able to determine the nature of the disease and the most effective ways to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms.
Treatment
To relieve the patient of cramps, doctors use conservative medications and physical therapy procedures. In some cases, for example, when the discomfort is caused by pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, experts even prescribe a diet. Treatment for back pain in the lumbar region usually involves taking the following types of medication:
- anti-inflammatory non-hormonal drugs;
- antispasmodics;
- painkillers of general and local action;
- vitamins.
It is also worth noting that if the discomfort is associated with any degenerative processes in the bone tissue, then the removal of the disease is impossible without taking chondroprotectors. Physiotherapeutic procedures to be prescribed in the treatment of back pain in the lumbar region include:
- UHF;
- relaxing baths;
- electrophoresis;
- laser therapy.
Massages and specially designed therapeutic exercises are also recommended. Such procedures help alleviate inflammation and strengthen the back muscles, which contributes to the patient's quick recovery.
Traditional methods of treatment
Sometimes the effect of a course prescribed by a specialist can be increased with the help of natural remedies. But, they should be used only after a doctor's approval. The most popular traditional methods of treatment:
- Incense and apple cider vinegar wrap.Mix the ingredients in a one-to-one ratio, soak a woolen cloth in them and apply to a sore back to quickly relieve inflammation.
- Alcoholic infusion of dandelion.Mix 0, 5 liters of dandelion with 500 ml of vodka. Helps to warm the back well.
- Broth.Mix 3 teaspoons of parsley root with 500 ml of water. Boil and take 3 times a day to prevent osteochondrosis.
Prophylaxis
As you know, it is better to avoid a problem than to solve it. Therefore, in order to prevent back pain, a number of preventive measures must be followed. The main ones include:
- increase the amount of calcium-rich foods in your diet;
- dealing with extra pounds;
- daily long walks or running (avoiding a sedentary lifestyle);
- exclusion from the diet of smoked meat, which increases the load on the liver and contributes to the development of degenerative processes in bone tissue.
If, however, it was not possible to avoid back pain in the lumbar region, the causes of this phenomenon should be discovered as soon as possible.