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Backache

Back pain is slightly less common than headache. Every adult has experienced this feeling at least once. Most often, the neck and lower back are affected. Doctors attribute this to a gradual decrease in people's physical activity, because many people work and relax at the computer. This is the reason for the onset of chronic degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which are the most common cause of back pain. Timely examination and treatment, regular physical activity and normalization of body weight will help to get rid of discomfort and regain the joy of movement.

Back pain in a woman

General Information

The high incidence of back pain is associated with its anatomy. The basis is the spine. Cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae, which perform a shock absorbing function. The additional skeleton is provided by muscles and ligaments. The spinal cord passes into the spinal column, from which the paired roots extend, innervating almost all organs and tissues.

A pathological process in any of the structures of the back, as well as the internal organs associated with it from nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often, a doctor needs to make a thorough diagnosis to find out its source.

The reasons

Most conditions that cause pain in some parts of the back are chronic. They start gradually and are asymptomatic for a long time.

Among the external and internal causes that can cause an exacerbation, the most common are:

  • increased load on the spine against the background of frequent weight lifting or overweight;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • posture disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoarthritis of the hip joint or flat feet), which lead to uneven distribution of the load;
  • hypothermia;
  • infectious and autoimmune inflammatory processes;
  • volumetric formations (tumors, abscesses);
  • pathology of the internal organs of the chest or abdominal cavity.

Illnesses

Back pain can be a symptom of many diseases which can be divided into several groups.

Spinal or joint pathology

This is the most common cause of back pain. Most diseases are associated with a high and / or irregular load on the spine:

  • osteochondrosis: the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to collapse, thin and be replaced by bone tissue; as a result, the depreciation function of the spine suffers and the spinal cord or its root is often compressed;
  • intervertebral hernia: the central part of the intervertebral disc protrudes towards the spinal cord, compressing it; the problem often arises against the background of advanced osteochondrosis;
  • ankylosing spondylitis - autoimmune inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine, leading to painful spasms of the surrounding muscles; over time, it becomes the cause of the joining of the vertebrae together;
  • spondylolisthesis - displacement of the vertebra from its normal position, which can lead to compression of the roots or spinal cord;
  • rheumatoid arthritis - inflammation of the joints of an autoimmune nature; most often affects the cervical spine;
  • osteomyelitis: inflammation of the bone tissue.

Pathology of muscle tissue

Muscle tissue is often involved in the pathological process in the pathology of bone or joint tissue. In this case, painful spasms appear in the affected area. Also, pain can occur against the background of:

  • fibromyalgia: chronic pain in muscles and ligaments, often accompanied by stiffness and stiffness;
  • myositis - an inflammatory process in the muscles that occurs against the background of hypothermia, strain, injury or physical overload;
  • dermatomyositis: chronic damage to the skin, muscles and internal organs, most likely of an autoimmune nature.

Pathology of the spinal cord and root

Most often, pain occurs against the background of compression of some areas of the nervous tissue due to trauma, tumors, osteochondrosis or herniated disc. An isolated injury can be caused by:

  • inflammation associated with infection, including HIV and syphilis;
  • multiple sclerosis;
  • hemorrhage;
  • lack of oxygen;
  • deficiency of vitamins or minerals.

Pathology of the internal organs

The innervation of most of the internal organs is carried out by the roots of the spinal cord. As a result, any pathological processes in them can become causative back pain. Most often, doctors face the following problems:

  • kidney pathology: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis;
  • inflammation of the pelvic organs: salpingitis, salpingo-oophoritis, prostatitis;
  • pathology of the gallbladder: cholecystitis, cholelithiasis;
  • damage to the cardiovascular system: angina pectoris, heart attack, dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, pulmonary embolism;
  • diseases of the respiratory system: pleurisy, pneumonia, abscess, pneumothorax;
  • appendicitis.

The nature and localization of the pain

The location and nature of sensations can tell a lot about their origin. It is important to tell the doctor in as much detail as possible exactly how your back hurts, so that he can identify the cause and receive treatment as soon as possible.

Depending on its nature, the pain can be:

  • acute - often occurs against the background of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, low back pain or radiculitis, usually aggravated by movement;
  • pain - characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in the muscles, ligaments or internal organs;
  • pressing or bursting - most often it speaks of acute or chronic pathology of internal organs;
  • pulsating, strong: usually associated with trauma, low back pain, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Localization of the pain syndrome can also help diagnose:

  • right: pathology of the liver, gall bladder, duodenum, damage to the ovary or kidney on the right, appendicitis;
  • left: pathology of the spleen, left kidney or ovary, myocardial infarction, pancreatitis;
  • in the lumbar region: sciatica, osteochondrosis, low back pain, Reiter's syndrome, intervertebral hernia;
  • below the waist: osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia, bilateral inflammation of the ovaries, pathology of the uterus, cramps during menstruation;
  • under the right shoulder blade: pathology of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, right intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, pneumonia;
  • under the left shoulder blade: heart disease, left pneumonia, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, etc.

When you need to urgently see a doctor

Back pain can be both a sign of a relatively harmless pathology and evidence of a dangerous process that requires immediate medical attention. A person should urgently consult a specialist in the following situations:

  • the pain occurred after the injury;
  • it is not possible to find a position in which the pain subsides;
  • there is an increase in temperature;
  • signs of nerve damage appear: numbness, tingling, muscle weakness;
  • pain worsens at night;
  • sensations are accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, palpitations, cold sweat;
  • painkillers do not give relief;
  • the disease progresses despite treatment;
  • blood pressure changed sharply (increased or decreased);
  • you have trouble urinating or the color of your urine has changed;
  • pain has spread to the chest, abdomen;
  • the condition is accompanied by heavy nausea, vomiting, loose or delayed stools.

In general, any suspicious symptoms that have not been noticed in previous pain attacks should alert the patient and become a reason for urgent medical attention.

Diagnostics

Back pain examination includes:

  • collection of complaints and anamnesis of the disease, clarification of the circumstances of the onset of pain, its nature, intensity, localization and other important parameters, identification of risk factors for various diseases;
  • general visit with measurement of blood pressure, evaluation of heart rate, respiration, temperature;
  • neurological examination: evaluation of sensory and motor functions, quality of reflexes;
  • laboratory diagnostics: general blood and urine tests, basic biochemical blood test; if necessary, tests are prescribed to confirm or exclude a specific pathology;
  • ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
  • X-ray, CT, or MRI of the spine
  • Ultrasound of the organs of the abdominal cavity, small pelvis;
  • chest x-ray;
  • Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and brain;
  • electromyography - assessment of the quality of conduction of nerve impulses through muscle fibers;
  • consultations of narrow specialists: nephrologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, etc.

The list of tests, diagnostic procedures and consultations may vary depending on the patient's complaints.

Back pain in the lumbar region

Back pain treatment

The choice of treatment methods depends on the cause. Most often, doctors are faced with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and nervous tissue. In this case, painkillers become the basis of therapy:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • hormonal agents;
  • muscle relaxants: to relieve muscle spasms;
  • Vitamins of group B: to improve the condition of the nervous tissue;
  • narcotic analgesics: with the ineffectiveness of drugs of other groups.

Additional procedures help supplement the effect of drug treatment:

  • physiotherapy: electro and phonophoresis, laser and magnetotherapy, electroneurostimulation;
  • massage;
  • manual therapy;
  • Physiotherapy.

Specific techniques are selected by the doctor based on the cause and individual characteristics of the organism. In some cases, surgical treatment is prescribed.

Prevention

Back pain can be prevented. To do this, you need to adhere to the following rules:

  • prevent hypodynamia: do gymnastics, play sports (without overload);
  • avoid stress;
  • rest well;
  • eat right, prevent excess weight gain;
  • avoid lifting heavy loads;
  • disorders of correct posture;
  • be regularly examined by a doctor, treat chronic diseases in a timely manner.

Back pain can be subtle or it can completely immobilize a person. Do not allow a seizure, consult a doctor at the first sign of difficulty.