Back pain is slightly less common than headache. All adults have encountered 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 in front of the computer. This is the reason for the appearance 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 eliminate discomfort and regain the joy of movement.
General information
The high incidence of back pain is associated with its anatomy. The base is the spine. Cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae, which perform a shock absorbing function. Muscles and ligaments provide an additional skeleton. The spinal cord passes through the interior of the spinal column, from where paired roots extend, innervating almost all organs and tissues.
A pathological process in any of the structures of the back, as well as in the internal organs associated with it by nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often times a doctor must make a full diagnosis to discover its origin.
The reasons
Most of the conditions that cause pain in some part of the back are chronic. They start gradually and are asymptomatic for a long time.
Among the external and internal causes that can provoke an exacerbation, the most common are:
- increased load on the spine against the background of frequent weight lifting or being overweight;
- metabolic disorders;
- postural disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoarthritis of the hip joint or flat feet), leading to uneven load distribution;
- hypothermia;
- infectious and autoimmune inflammatory processes;
- volumetric formations (tumors, abscesses);
- pathology of the internal organs of the thorax or abdominal cavity.
Diseases
Back pain can be a symptom of many diseases that can be divided into several groups.
Pathology of the spine or joints
This is the most common cause of back pain. Most diseases are associated with a high and / or uneven load on the spine:
- osteochondrosis - the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to collapse, thin out 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 into 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, causing painful spasms of the surrounding muscles; over time, it becomes the cause of the splicing of the vertebrae;
- 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 bone tissue.
Muscle tissue pathology
Muscle tissue is often involved in the pathological process in bone tissue or joint pathology. 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, stretching, injury or physical overload;
- Dermatomyositis: chronic damage to the skin, muscles, and internal organs, most likely autoimmune in nature.
Spinal cord and root pathology
Most often, pain occurs against the background of compression of certain areas of the nervous tissue due to trauma, tumor, 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;
- vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Internal organ pathology
The innervation of most internal organs is carried out by the roots of the spinal cord. As a result, any pathological processes in them can turn into a causative back pain. Most often, doctors are faced with the following problems:
- Renal pathology: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis;
- inflammation of the pelvic organs: salpingitis, salpingophoritis, 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.
The nature and location of the pain.
The location and nature of the sensations can tell a lot about their origin. It is important to tell your doctor in as much detail as possible exactly how your back hurts, so that you 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, lumbago or radiculitis, usually aggravated by movement;
- pain - characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in muscles, ligaments or internal organs;
- pressing or bursting - most often speaks of acute or chronic pathology of internal organs;
- pulsatile, strong - usually associated with trauma, lumbago, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
The location of the 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 spleen, kidney or left ovary, myocardial infarction, pancreatitis;
- in the lumbar region: sciatica, osteochondrosis, lumbago, 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 scapula - pathology of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right-sided intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, pneumonia;
- under the left shoulder blade: heart disease, left side pneumonia, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, etc.
When you need to see a doctor urgently
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:
- pain occurred after injury;
- it is not possible to find a position in which the pain is weakened;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- signs of nerve damage appear: numbness, tingling, muscle weakness;
- pain worse at night;
- sensations are accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, palpitations, cold sweat;
- pain relievers do not provide relief;
- the disease progresses despite treatment;
- blood pressure has drastically changed (increased or decreased);
- you have trouble urinating or your urine has changed color;
- the pain has spread to the chest, abdomen;
- The condition is accompanied by profuse nausea, vomiting, loose or delayed stools.
In general, any suspicious symptoms that have not been observed in previous pain attacks should alert the patient and become a reason for urgent medical attention.
Diagnostics
The exam for back pain includes:
- compilation of complaints and anamnesis of the disease, clarification of the circumstances of the onset of pain, its nature, intensity, location and other important parameters, identification of risk factors for various diseases;
- general examination with measurement of blood pressure, evaluation of heart rate, respiration, temperature;
- neurological examination: evaluation of sensory and motor functions, the quality of reflexes;
- laboratory diagnostics: general blood and urine tests, basic biochemical blood tests; 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: evaluation of the quality of the conduction of nerve impulses through muscle fibers;
- narrow specialist consultations: nephrologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, etc.
The list of tests, diagnostic procedures and consultations may vary depending on the patient's complaints.
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 B: to improve the state of nervous tissue;
- Narcotic painkillers - with the ineffectiveness of drugs from other groups.
Additional procedures help to complement the effect of drug treatment:
- physiotherapy: electrophoresis and phonophoresis, laser and magnetotherapy, electrostimulation;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy.
The physician selects specific techniques 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 must adhere to the following rules:
- prevent hypodynamics: do gymnastics, play sports (without overload);
- avoid stress;
- have a good rest;
- eat right, prevent excessive weight gain;
- avoid lifting heavy objects;
- correct postural disorders;
- 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 crisis, see a doctor at the first sign of trouble.