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Backache

Back pain is slightly less common than headache. Every adult has encountered this feeling at least once. Most often, the neck and lower back are affected. Doctors attribute this to a gradual decline in people's physical activity because many people work and relax on the computer. This is the reason for the emergence 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 remove the 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 base is the spine. The cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae, which perform a shock-absorbing function. The extra skeleton is provided by muscles and ligaments. The spinal cord passes inside the spinal column, from which the paired roots extend, innervating almost all organs and tissues.

A pathological process in each of the structures of the spine, as well as the internal organs associated with it by nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often, a physician must perform a thorough diagnosis to find its source.

reason

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 a deterioration, the most common are:

  • increased load on the back against the background of frequent weight lifting or overweight;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • behavioral disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoarthritis of the hip joints or flat feet), leading to an 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.

Diseases

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

Spinal or joint pathology

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

  • osteochondrosis: the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to collapse, thin, and are replaced by bone tissue; as a result, the amortization 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 in the direction of the spinal cord, squeezing 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 beads joining together;
  • spondylolisthesis: displacement of the vertebra from its normal position, which may 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 bone tissue.

Muscle tissue pathology

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. In addition, the pain may 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, stretching, damage or physical overload;
  • dermatomyositis: chronic damage to the skin, muscles and internal organs, most likely of an autoimmune nature.

Spinal cord and root pathology

Most often, the pain occurs against the background of compression of certain areas of nerve tissue due to trauma, tumor, osteochondrosis or disc herniation. An isolated lesion can be provoked by:

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

Pathology of 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 process in them can become a causative back pain. Most often, doctors face the following problems:

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

Nature and localization of pain

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

Depending on its nature, the pain may be:

  • acute: often occurs against the background of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, lumbagos or radiculitis, usually worsened by movement;
  • pain: characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in muscles, ligaments or internal organs;
  • oppression or outbreak: most often speaks of acute or chronic pathology of internal organs;
  • pulsating, strong: usually accompanied by trauma, lumbago, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Localizing pain syndrome can also help diagnose:

  • on the right: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, damage to the ovary or kidney on the right, appendicitis;
  • left: pathology of the left spleen, kidney or ovary, myocardial infarction, pancreatitis;
  • in the lumbar region: sciatica, osteochondrosis, lumbago, Reiter 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: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, pneumonia;
  • below the left shoulder blade: heart disease, pneumonia in the left, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, etc.

When you need to see an emergency doctor

Back pain can be both a sign of a relatively harmless pathology, as well as 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 becomes weaker;
  • there is an increase in temperature;
  • signs of nerve damage appear: numbness, tingling, muscle weakness;
  • worse pain at night;
  • sensations accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, palpitations, cold sweats;
  • pain relievers do not provide relief;
  • the disease progresses regardless of treatment;
  • blood pressure has changed significantly (increased or decreased);
  • have trouble urinating or the color of the urine has changed;
  • the pain has spread to the chest, abdomen;
  • the condition is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, profuse or delayed bowel movements.

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.

Diagnosing

Examination for back pain includes:

  • collection of complaints and medical history, 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 examination with measurement of blood pressure, assessment of heart rate, respiration, temperature;
  • Neurological examination: assessment of sensory and motor functions, quality of reflexes;
  • laboratory diagnosis: general blood and urine tests, basic biochemical blood examination; if necessary, tests are prescribed to confirm or rule out a specific pathology;
  • ECG, heart ultrasound;
  • X-ray, CT or MRI of the spine;
  • Ultrasound of the organs of the abdominal cavity, small pelvis;
  • chest radiography;
  • Doppler ultrasonography of the vessels of the neck and brain;
  • electromyography: evaluation of the quality of conducting nerve impulses through muscle fibers;
  • consultations of close 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

Treatment of back pain

The choice of treatment methods depends on the cause. Most often, doctors face pathology of the musculoskeletal system and nervous tissue. In this case, pain relievers become the basis of therapy:

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

Additional procedures help to complement the effect of medication treatment:

  • physiotherapy: electro- and phonophoresis, laser and magnetic therapy, electroneurostimulation;
  • massage;
  • manual therapy;
  • physiotherapy.

Specific techniques are chosen by the doctor depending 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 must adhere to the following rules:

  • prevent hypodynamics: do gymnastics, play sports (without overload);
  • avoid stress;
  • good rest;
  • eat well, prevent excess weight gain;
  • avoid heavy lifting;
  • accurate behavioral disorders;
  • to be examined regularly by a doctor, to treat chronic diseases in a timely manner.

Back pain can be subtle, or it can completely immobilize a person. Do not let a crisis, see a doctor at the first signs of trouble.