Back pain in English sources call of pain in the lower back (low back pain). The pain often contributes to the tension in the lumbar region of the spine, limitation of motion, and antalgic scoliosis. Acute back pain can last from a few days to a few weeks.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors for back pain
Back pain occurs in almost all men at least once in your life. It should be noted that the pain can be in any part of Your back, but, nevertheless, the pain in the lumbar region of the spine occurs most frequently. This is due to the fact that the lumbar vertebrae have the maximum load from the weight of Your body.
Lower back pain is the second by the number of visits to the physician immediately after a viral infections.
You can feel the pain in the lower back after lifting heavy weights, sudden movements, after finding for a long time in one position or after a spinal cord injury.
Acute pain in the lumbar region of the spine most often caused by displacement of intervertebral disc and spinal cord injuries.
The causes of back pain:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region of the spine
- Intervertebral hernia in and out of intervertebral disc
- Spondiloarthrosis
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Compression fracture due to osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, hemangioma vertebra
- A tumor in the lumen of the spinal canal
- Fracture of the spine after the injury
- Prolonged muscle tension
- Anatomically narrow spinal canal
- The curvature of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, disease President UIA)
- Aortic aneurysm
- Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis
- Of the spinal infection osteomyelitis, discitis, tuberculosis of the spine
- Pyelonephritis, urolithiasis
- Complicated course of pregnancy
- Gynecological diseases (endometriosis, ovarian cyst, ovarian cancer, etc.)
The symptoms of low back pain (pain in the lower back)
The pain can be varied: sharp, dull, pulling , burning, may be accompanied by tingling and formication, numbness.
The intensity of back pain can vary greatly, from mild to unbearable pain that interferes to make the slightest movement. The pain can be combined with pain in the hip, pain in shins, pain in the feet.
Diagnosis of low back pain
In the first place, you need to consult a physician and neurologist. The doctor will ask you some questions about the nature of Your pain, the frequency of repetition. The doctor will try to determine the cause of the pain and begin the treatment of simple methods (ice, moderate pain relievers, physical therapy and necessary exercise).
In the majority of cases, this type of treatments to reduce back pain. During the exam, the doctor will have to determine the exact location of the pain, its radiating, neurological reflexes. The majority of people with pain in the lumbar region of the spine to recover in 4-6 weeks.
Diagnosis includes magnetic resonance imaging (cat. MRI) of the lumbar spine, computed tomography of the lumbar-sacral spine, x-rays of the spine.
Since the most common cause of back pain is Intervertebral hernia lumbar-sacral spine, the first thing You need to do an MRI of the lumbar spine. This study will also help to eliminate most causes of pain, such as a tumor in the lumen of the spinal canal, tuberculosis of the spine, spinal fracture, multiple myeloma, anatomically narrow spinal canal, spondylolisthesis, various types of curvature of the spine, spondylosis and spondylosis. If the neurologist has not given a magnetic RESONANCE, do-it-yourself. The power of the MRI machine should be 1 Tesla or more.
Don't start diagnosis with x-rays and computed tomography, these methods are insecure. You can make them in the first place, only in cases of suspected fracture of the spine.
These are some tips on what to do when back pain:
- Reduce physical activity during the first two days after the attack. This will help to reduce the symptoms of the disease and the inflammation in the area of pain.
- Do not sit, lean forward until the pain has fully subsided.
- Take painkillers only in case of excruciating pain. It is best to make an injection intramuscular drinking the anesthetic. This will protect the wall of the stomach from direct contact with an anti-inflammatory agent. Try to avoid excessive intake of drugs. Do not use hormone therapy, if low back pain is not associated with autoimmune disease.
- Sleeping in the fetal position, put a pillow between the legs. If You usually sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees
- A common mistake is the idea that you must limit physical activity for a long time. Bed rest is not recommended!!! If You do not have fever, weight loss, involuntary urination and defecation, Which should be kept active as much as you can bear. You can reduce your activity only for the first two days after the onset of pain. Start doing light aerobic exercise. Walking on the treadmill, swimming can help to improve the flow of blood to the muscles of the back. Consult your doctor for the selection of exercises so as not to cause amplification of the pain syndrome.
Forecast:
The majority of people feel much better after the first week of treatment. After 4-6 weeks, a significant proportion of patients the pain disappears completely.
In some cases, it is recommended that you immediately consult a doctor:
- Lower back pain combined with pain at the bottom of the legs and foot pain
- The pain does not allow You to service the
- The pain is combined with urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence
- The combination of pain in the low back, with numbness in the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet, groin
- If You have already had back pain before
- If the pain lasts for more than 3 days
- If You are taking hormones
- If the pain appeared after the injury
- Previously, he had been diagnosed with cancer
- If you've lost weight recently, for reasons unclear