Any pain is a signal of problems in the body.Back pain occurs as a symptom of reflection of diseases of internal systems and individual organs, primarily with musculoskeletal degenerative-dystrophic changes.Lower back pain may be a reason to consult a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, vertebrologist, gastroenterologist, urologist and gynecologist.
Pain of 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.
Lower back pain varies significantly in strength and duration, they can be:
- sharp and aching;
- permanent or periodic;
- localized at one point, for example, on the right or left, or moving when the pain is the result of a projection of the pathology of the peritoneal and pelvic organs.
What could it be?
To make a diagnosis, you need to determine the nature, location and frequency of pain, measure the temperature (high temperature indicates the presence of inflammation and/or infection), analyze the accompanying symptoms of the disease (vomiting, tongue lining, 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, with herpes zoster, which is characterized by girdling pain in the lower back and characteristic skin rashes.
After a conversation with the patient and his external examination to confirm the diagnosis, if necessary, the doctor may prescribe blood and urine tests, as well as:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- X-ray.
1. Spinal problems
Spinal problems, characterized by chronic low back pain, are accompanied by limited mobility from several hours to several weeks and no increase in temperature.The best known lumbar pain syndromes are:
- radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord, often of an inflammatory nature.Suffer mainly from the cords formed by the roots and located between the vertebrae.Most often does not have an acute onset.May be a secondary symptom of another disease, such as osteochondrosis or spinal tuberculosis;
- lumbago (lumbago)- an attack of sudden and acute pain at the moment of lifting something heavy, with awkward movement or hypothermia.Accompanied by stiffness and constant tension in the lower back muscles for a long time.It may be a consequence of several diseases, in addition to osteochondrosis, for example, displacement of intervertebral discs in the lumbar region;
- sciatica (inflammation, compression of the sciatic nerve).Paroxysmal pain in the lower back often shifts to the sacrum and back of the legs.In women, it may be a consequence of chronic inflammation of the appendages.
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 sensations of numbness and “pins and needles”.
The most common diseases that cause low back pain are:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by 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 extending from the spinal cord.
- Spondylosis- dystrophic change (gradual thinning) of the lumbar vertebrae, ligaments weaken and bone growth occurs, narrowing the spinal canal.As a result, the bone growths begin to compress the nerve roots, causing aching pain, which may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs.May lead to displacement of the vertebrae.Displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in the lumbar region can cause pathology of the vertebrae located below and disrupt the functioning of the rectum and bladder.
- Ankylosing spondylitisaffects the intervertebral joints responsible for the mobility of the spine, or synovial joints.It manifests itself as pain in the joints and spine, eye damage, proliferation of the connective tissue of the spinal joints, stiffness and complete loss of mobility of the lumbar joints.
- Protrusion(protrusion of 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), leading to loss of joint function.Lower back pain may radiate to the legs.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)due to chronic inflammation, it can lead to compression of the nerves and spinal cord passing through it.The disease is accompanied by pain and cramps in the back that appear after long walking and spinal claudication syndrome.In a sitting or lying position, the pain calms down, but when physical activity is resumed, it intensifies again.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).In complicated cases, with a protective spasm of the back muscles against the background of spinal osteochondrosis with a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar region, pain in the lumbar region may occur.
Good to know!When the vertebrae are displaced, it is important to determine the cause of the problem: as a result of injury or as a result of degenerative processes.In the second case, regular adjustment of the vertebrae with the help of a chiropractor can aggravate the situation, leading to the final destruction of the vertebral processes and pinched nerves.
Lower back pain can be caused by non-infectious chronic inflammation of the joints involving ligaments, muscles, and spinal cartilage in the 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.
Can be caused by infectious diseases affecting the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess, etc.);
Acute spasmodic pain in the lower back when bending over occurs when stretching or inflammation (myositis) of muscles and ligaments, due to hypothermia, excessive physical exertion.They appear suddenly and remain at rest; they can spread to the sacrum and the back of the legs, making it difficult to bend and turn from side to side.
Lower back pain can also be a consequence of a tumor on the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve fibers or in the retroperitoneal space.
3. Problems of internal organs
Pathologies of internal organs often manifest 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 of a girdling nature, and/or in the upper abdomen.Possible repeated vomiting, diarrhea, coating on the tongue, decreased blood pressure;
- other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction or inflammation, ulcerative colitis).With appendicitis with an atypical course, nagging pain in the lower back may be accompanied by a single vomiting;
- inflammatory kidney diseases.Pain in the lower back is nagging, aching - with inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), sharp, cramping - with renal colic (due to the movement of a stone from the renal pelvis to the ureter).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 (with inflammation of the appendages in women), in the anus (with prostatitis in men), and radiates to the lower back.The pain is accompanied by general intoxication (weakness, headache, fever), spotting (in women).
In addition, pain may radiate to the lumbar region due to adhesions (scars) formed after operations, as well as circulatory disorders of the spinal cord (can lead to a stroke) or metabolism (gout).
Low back pain and pregnancy
Pregnancy aggravates the manifestations of diseases existing in the mother’s body.Due to changes in hormonal levels and increased stress, pathologies especially often appear in the second half of pregnancy.In addition to the pain that accompanies the threat of premature birth, the cause of lower back pain in a pregnant woman can be:
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- radiculitis;
- pancreatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urolithiasis (kidney stones).
Lower back pain may indicate problems with the spine, and may also be a symptom of a urological, gynecological or gastroenterological disease.Most often they appear when the spinal nerves are irritated and nerve roots are pinched.In order not to aggravate the situation, to 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.