Low back pain is a symptom that is known to many. It can occur in people of any gender and age. The pain may indicate damage to the musculoskeletal system, spinal cord, kidneys, pelvic organs or abdominal cavity. It can be weak or very intense, sharp, painful, piercing or shooting. Treatment directly depends on the type of pain and the causes that caused it.
Reasons
It is very important to establish the etiology of pain in time. First of all, it is worth noting the nature of the pain and the time of its occurrence. In addition, it is necessary to establish its connection with physical activity, food intake and going to the toilet. It is also important for women to monitor the relationship between the menstrual cycle and the onset of pain.
The reasons for lower back pain can be as follows:
- Neurological problems. Most often, osteochondrosis and related disorders of the innervation of the lumbar region manifest themselves in this way.
- Skeletal muscle pathology. Myositis is as common as osteochondrosis and also causes pain.
- Kidney disease. The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space, ie closer to the back than to the anterior abdominal wall. Therefore, kidney disease may be accompanied by back pain.
- Pathology of internal organs located intraperitoneally. Sometimes, but not often, low back pain is associated with diseases such as appendicitis and cholecystitis.
- Pathology of the pelvic organs. Especially often such a manifestation of inflammation in the pelvis occurs in women.
Each of the diseases leading to low back pain should be considered in more detail.
Osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a metabolic pathology of the spine in which the structure of the intervertebral discs is disrupted. It is believed that after the age of 27, this condition is a normal age-related change and occurs in almost everyone.
Problems arise due to the fact that the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and ability to withstand stress. At the same time, it begins to protrude beyond the vertebral bodies. In the immediate vicinity of the vertebral bodies are the roots of the nerves that extend from the spinal cord. The disc compresses these nerves and discomfort occurs. This complication of osteochondrosis is called radiculitis.
Osteochondrosis can occur in any part of the back, but most commonly affects the lumbar region. This happens because the load on the spine in this part of it is maximum and the disc protrusion is more common.
The nature of the pain that occurs with radiculitis caused by osteochondrosis can be different. There are three types of it:
- Lumbago.It is also called "lumbago". This is a sharp and very intense sharp pain that occurs in the lower back during exercise. Such pain is subjectively like a shot. This makes you stop training. However, the lumbago passes quickly enough, in a few seconds or minutes.
- Lumbodinia.This pain is less intense but longer lasting. It also appears during training, but not immediately, but gradually. Such pain can develop for several hours. She has a nagging character. Lumbodynia lasts for several days and significantly reduces exercise tolerance during this time.
- sciatica.Its difference from the previous type is that in addition to the lower back, the leg also hurts. As a rule, this is a unilateral lesion, but bilateral pain is also possible. Lumioischialgia is of a prolonged pulling nature. It develops gradually and seems to descend from the lower back to the thigh. This pain can cause temporary lameness. It passes in a few days.
If osteochondrosis occurs, you should consult a neurologist.
myositis
For this reason, almost everyone has experienced pain. This is exactly how it sounds in the people "through" or "inflated back". The terms are not medical, but the general principle of pain is described correctly.
In this case, exposure to cold air or cold objects on the lumbar region leads to inflammation of the muscles that are located here. The fact is that the muscular apparatus of the back is very well developed and any pathological processes in it can simultaneously damage many anatomical structures.
First, because of the inflammation, the muscles themselves hurt. Its fibers increase due to swelling and compress the nerve endings that innervate this muscle. Secondly, in the immediate vicinity of the muscles are the nerve roots themselves, which here already turn into nerve trunks. Their defeat can lead to long-term radiating pain.
Inflammation can move from a muscle to the nerve trunk itself, which will lead to the spread of pain in the upper or lower back or internal organs. It is also better to treat myositis with a specialist.
Kidney disease
Due to the close proximity of the kidneys to the back, the pain when they are affected is radiated in the lower back. At the same time, painful sensations can lead to the idea of a certain kidney disease.
Thus, for example, urolithiasis is accompanied by very sharp unbearable pain in the lower back. It is also called colic. It most often occurs after or during urination. Such pain can be so severe that it puts a person in a state of emotional arousal and forces him to take unmotivated actions. For example, during a seizure, a person may start running around the room or making other sudden movements. They are justified by the fact that under load the stone changes its position in the urinary tract and the pain decreases.
Pain can also occur with pyelonephritis. In this case, it is less intense, but longer. Pyelonephritis is a purulent inflammation of the pelvic system of the kidneys. In addition to pain, fever, weakness and malaise appear. With pyelonephritis, a positive symptom of Pasternatsky (tapping). The pain can be unilateral or bilateral.
Nephrologists treat renal pathology. It is better not to delay the visit to them to avoid complications.
Diseases of other organs
The pathology of the internal organs located intraperitoneally is very rarely accompanied by back pain. Stomach hurts more often. However, in inflammation of the atypically located appendicular process, when it is deployed so that it is located behind the appendix, the pain will be in the lower back. This is important to know because in this case there may be no stomach pain at all. The person himself often does not even know about such an anatomical feature of his organs.
In cholecystitis, the pain often occurs in the right hypochondrium. However, due to some structural features of the gallbladder, it can also radiate to the lumbar region. Also, this symptom can occur in pancreatitis. In this case, the pain is related to food intake. It occurs more often after eating fried or fatty foods.
In women, lower back pain may appear as the equivalent of menstrual abdominal pain or inflammation of the reproductive system. For example, this is how adnexitis or oophoritis occurs. This symptom often occurs during pregnancy. This is due to excessive strain on the spine, possible pyelonephritis or pressure of the fetus on the nerve endings of the lumbar region.
How to get rid of such pain
First of all, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pain. This can only be done with the help of a suitable specialist and after a series of examinations. X-rays, MRIs or CT scans of the bones of the spine and spinal canal are most often needed. An ultrasound scan of all organs in which the above pathology may develop may also be necessary.
Osteochondrosis is treated by setting a special position on the back and spine, limiting physical activity and special exercises. Swimming also works well on the spine with this pathology. Pain can be reduced with NSAIDs taken orally or topically.
In myositis, it is also necessary to take NSAIDs and apply to the lumbar region where pain occurs.
Urolithiasis and pyelonephritis should be treated by a physician. In the first case, this may be the dissolution of stones by a drug method or surgical removal. In the second case, antibiotics and uroseptics are prescribed.
Appendicitis is most often treated with surgery. Surgical treatment can also be used for cholecystitis and pancreatitis, but more often these pathological conditions are treated conservatively. NSAIDs, enzymes and bile acid substitutes are prescribed.
Diseases of the pelvic organs are treated by a gynecologist. Such therapy can also be medical or surgical, depending on the type of pathology.
Thus, we can conclude that lower back pain is a symptom that can occur both in damage to the spine and surrounding muscles, and in diseases of various internal organs. You can try to treat the pain yourself by starting with NSAIDs and reducing physical activity. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor for the timely detection of pathology.