Any pain is a signal of a problem in the body.Back pain occurs as a symptom of diseases of internal systems and individual organs, primarily in the case of musculoskeletal degenerative-dystrophic changes.Pain in the lower back can be a reason to consult a neurologist, orthopedist, vertebrologist, gastroenterologist, urologist and gynecologist.
Pain from pain - discord
In addition to injuries resulting from injuries, possible causes of lower back pain may include the following diseases:
- spine;
- internal organs of the pelvis and gastrointestinal tract;
- muscles.
Pain in the lower back varies significantly in intensity and duration, it can be:
- sharp and painful;
- permanent or periodic;
- localized in one point, for example, right or left, or moves when the pain is the result of the projection of the pathology of the peritoneal and pelvic organs.
what could it be?
To establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to determine the nature, localization and frequency of pain, measure the temperature (a high temperature indicates the presence of inflammation and/or infection), analyze the accompanying symptoms of the disease (vomiting, mucous membranes of the tongue, diarrhea, redness or rash on the skin) and consult a doctor.
Note!The higher the temperature, the more likely it is that the cause of the pain is infectious, for example, herpes zoster, which is characterized by a girdling pain in the lower back and a characteristic rash on the skin.
After talking with the patient and his external examination to confirm the diagnosis, if necessary, the doctor can prescribe blood and urine tests, as well as:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- x-ray.
1. Back problems
Spine problems, characterized by chronic low back pain, are accompanied by limited mobility from a few hours to a few weeks and without an increase in temperature.The most famous lumbar pain syndromes are:
- radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord, often of an inflammatory nature.They suffer mainly from cords formed by the roots and located between the vertebrae.Most often, it does not have an acute onset.It can be a secondary symptom of another disease, such as osteochondrosis or tuberculosis of the spine;
- lumbago- an attack of sudden and acute pain at the moment of lifting something heavy, with an unpleasant movement or hypothermia.It is accompanied by stiffness and constant tension of the lower back muscles for a long time.It can be a consequence of several 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 can be a consequence of chronic appendicitis.
Note!When the nerve roots of the spinal cord are damaged, pain from the lower back can spread to the legs, one or both, accompanied by feelings of numbness and "pins and needles".
The most common diseases that cause pain in the lower back are:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by the 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 that extend from the spinal cord.
- Spondylosis- dystrophic change (gradual thinning) of the lumbar vertebrae, weak ligaments and bone growth, narrowing of the spinal canal.As a result, bony growths begin to compress the nerve roots, causing excruciating pain, which may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs.It can lead to displacement of the vertebrae.Displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in the lumbar region can cause pathology in the underlying vertebrae and disrupt the functioning of the rectum and bladder.
- Ankylosing spondylitisaffects the intervertebral joints responsible for the mobility of the spine, i.e. the synovial joints.It is manifested by pain in the joints and spine, damage to the eye, 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), which leads to loss of joint function.Pain in the lower back can spread to the legs.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)due to chronic inflammation, it can lead to compression of the nerves and spinal cord that pass through it.The disease is accompanied by back pain and spasms that occur after a long walk and spinal claudication syndrome.In a sitting or lying position, the pain subsides, but when physical activity continues, it intensifies again.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).In complex cases, along with a protective spasm of the back muscles on the background of osteochondrosis of the spine with a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar region, pain in the lumbar region may appear.
Good to know!When the vertebrae are displaced, it is important to determine the cause of the problem: as a result of an injury or as a result of degenerative processes.In the second case, regular adjustment of the vertebrae with the help of a chiropractor can worsen the situation, leading to the final destruction of the vertebral processes and pinching of the nerves.
Lower back pain can be caused by non-infectious chronic joint inflammation involving ligaments, muscles and cartilage of the spine in pathogenesis due to autoimmune processes.
2. Infections, myositis, tumors
The lower back is the most massive part of the spine, 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 affecting the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess, etc.);
Acute cramping pain in the lower back when bending occurs when stretching or inflammation (myositis) of muscles and ligaments, due to hypothermia, excessive physical exertion.They appear suddenly and remain dormant;they can spread to the sacrum and back of the legs, making it difficult to bend and turn from side to side.
Pain in the lower back can also be the result of tumors on the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve fibers or in the retroperitoneal space.
3. Internal organ problems
Pathologies of internal organs are often manifested as lumbar pain of a girdle nature, 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 acute, often girdling, and/or in the upper abdomen.Possible repeated vomiting, diarrhea, coating on the tongue, lowering of blood pressure;
- other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction or inflammation, ulcerative colitis).In appendicitis with an atypical course, excruciating pain in the lower back may be accompanied by one vomiting;
- inflammatory diseases of the kidneys.The pain in the lower back is excruciating, painful - with kidney inflammation (pyelonephritis), sharp, spasmodic - with renal colic (due to the movement of stones from the renal pelvis into the ureter).Along with lumbar 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 (in appendicitis in women), in the anus (in prostatitis in men) and radiates to the lower back.The pain is accompanied by general intoxication (weakness, headache, fever), spots (in women).
In addition, pain can radiate to the lumbar area due to adhesions (scars) created after operations, as well as spinal cord circulation disorders (can lead to stroke) or metabolism (gout).
Lower back pain and pregnancy
Pregnancy worsens the manifestations of diseases that exist in the mother's body.Due to changes in hormonal levels and increased stress, pathologies occur especially often in the second half of pregnancy.In addition to the pain that accompanies the risk of premature birth, the cause of lower back pain in a pregnant woman can be:
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- radiculitis;
- pancreatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urolithiasis (kidney stone).
Pain in the lower back can indicate problems with the spine, and it can also be a symptom of a urological, gynecological or gastroenterological disease.They most often occur when the spinal nerves are irritated and the nerve roots are pinched.In order not to worsen 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.