Diseases whose symptom is pain in different locations in the lower back

It is difficult to find a person who is not familiar with back and lower back pain.Most often, this problem occurs after a person has spent a long time in one position - for example, sitting.According to statistics, about 90% of all people experience pain in the lower back periodically.

The problem is faced by both men and women, most often in middle and old age.Acute pain not only causes discomfort but also leaves you unable to work for a long time.In some cases, a person is unable to move around and fully take care of themselves.

In most cases, pain in the spine is caused by inflammatory processes, less often by diseases of internal organs.Unpleasant sensations rarely disappear on their own, so it is important not to miss alarming symptoms and consult a doctor in time.Timely diagnosis will help avoid serious complications in the future.

Structure of the lumbar region

The lower back is part of the posterior abdominal wall.This is a rather powerful and durable plexus of muscles designed to protect the spinal cord from damage and injury.The lower back is involved in moving the body during sports, sitting and walking.The upper edge of the lumbar region is considered the edge of the costal bones, the lower edge runs along the crests of the iliac bones.

The department's components are:

• Five vertebrae;
• Bone structures;
• Ligaments and tendons;
• Muscle tissue;
• Joint capsules;
• Blood vessels.

The spine is cushioned by intervertebral discs.The lower back is not only very strong, but also flexible - it offers the possibility of rotational movements, bending and stretching.The spinal cord within the spine is protected by an arc of processes whose joints are responsible for the direction of movement.The muscles in this section ensure a stable body position.

Possible foci of inflammation

Acute or periodic pain in the lower back may be the result of inflammatory processes of internal organs located in the retroperitoneal space.

In the sacrolumbar region, the following tissues and organs are susceptible to inflammation:

1. Skin.Pain in the lower back can be caused by pathogens (streptococci, staphylococci).They penetrate the sebaceous and sweat glands, forming a focus of purulent-necrotic inflammation, which gradually spreads to the surrounding tissues (furunculosis).When several glands located close to each other are affected at the same time, a carbuncle can form - an accumulation of lymph and inflamed cells, reaching a diameter of several centimeters.If, as a result of a wound or injury, streptococci penetrate under the skin, pyoderma is formed - painful ulcers form on the surface;
2. Spinal column.Back pain can be caused by non-infectious inflammation of the lumbosacral region and surrounding tissues.This disease is known as ankylosing spondylitis.In this case, the patient feels pain not only in the spine, but also in the muscles.As the disease progresses, it deprives a person of the ability to move normally, and the pain spreads to the hip joints.Less commonly, spinal inflammation may be a consequence of tuberculosis, brucellosis, or osteomyelitis;
3. Ligaments and muscles.With hypothermia, injuries or a sedentary lifestyle, lower back pain will be a consequence of inflammatory processes in muscle tissue and ligaments;
4. Appendix.Often this organ is located behind the cecum;with appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), the person, along with other symptoms, feels sharp pain in the lower back.
5. Kidneys.One of the signs of inflammation of the renal pelvis is severe pain in the lower back.

Only a qualified doctor can determine the cause of back pain.You should not delay visiting a doctor, especially with acute inflammation of the appendix - in this case, emergency hospitalization and surgical intervention are required.

Causes of low back pain

What can cause low back pain?Modern medicine distinguishes between primary and secondary causes of back pain.In the first case, several pathologies of the spine are implied;in the second, diseases of internal organs occur.

No less important are predisposing factors, the presence of which can provoke the development of the disease:

• A special specificity of regular activity is heavy physical work, professional sports;
• Forced stay in the same position for a long time - working at the computer, studying;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Poor nutrition – consumption of large amounts of fatty and sweet foods in the absence of cereals, vegetables and dairy products;
• Tobacco and alcohol abuse;
• Largely overweight.

It is important to reduce or eliminate risk factors whenever possible;This will not only prevent back problems but also improve your overall health.

The main causes of pain are spinal pathologies.This is the name given to several degenerative dystrophic processes in this part of the body;The following diseases belong to this category:

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis- a disease associated with dystrophic changes in cartilage and intervertebral discs.The structure of the tissue gradually changes, which leads to pinched nerves and continuous tension in the back muscles.Against the background of osteochondrosis, hernias and protrusions develop, the pain becomes unbearable over time;
2. Spondyloarthrosis- deformation of the cartilage, due to which they lose elasticity.Over time, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae become exposed and the joint capsules become inflamed;
3. Spondylolisthesis- displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other.Because of this, the lumen of the spinal canal changes and the spinal roots are damaged and pain in the lower back occurs.

Secondary causes of pain are factors resulting from the development of pathologies of internal organs.There may be several diagnoses in this situation:

1. Metabolic disorders.Due to an acute lack of vitamins and minerals, bones and joints lose elasticity and collapse;
2. Malignant formations, located close to the spine.Severe pain in this case is caused by metastases that penetrate the intervertebral space;
3. Infectious diseases- purulent cystitis, spondylitis, epiduritis;
4. Spinal curvature- scoliosis, kyphosis;
5. Various injuries- vertebral fractures, sprains, dislocations;
6. Psychogenic disorders.Pain in this case occurs due to disturbances in brain activity (for example, after a stroke);
7. Gastrointestinal tract pathologies- for example, intestinal obstruction;
8. Diseases of the pelvic organs- inflammation of the appendages or ovaries, sexually transmitted diseases in an advanced stage.

Women are probably familiar with lower back pain caused by physiological processes such as menstruation.

Pregnant women also complain of discomfort - the increased load on the spine is felt by periodic pain, which intensifies as the due date approaches.

Manifestations of low back pain

Low back pain can manifest itself in different ways.Pain sensations are classified according to their severity and frequency.Pain that aches for a long time is called lumbodynia.

Sudden, sharp pain that occurs over a relatively short period of time is low back pain.The pain may be recurrent, occurring from time to time - for example, after great physical exertion or overwork.

Pain that occurs in the sacrolumbar region due to mechanical stress has the following symptoms:

1. It occurs most often in the afternoon, after intense training or other unusual physical activity.Unpleasant sensations disappear completely after adequate rest.Pain of this nature is observed in middle-aged and elderly people;
2. Inflammatory pain, on the contrary, appears more acutely in the first half of the day.They often decrease or disappear completely after physical activity or use of painkillers.Characteristic of young people.

The location of the pain also depends on the structure of the existing injuries:

• Local pain in the lower back appears after damage to certain areas of the spine.Painful sensations are usually not very pronounced, they are constant, and with a change in the position of the body, the pain may intensify or disappear;
• Pain resulting from inflammation of internal organs (reflex).The deep pain is constant and can radiate to the pelvic region and hip joints;
• Irritation of the spinal nerve roots causes intense pain that can spread to the periphery, all the way to the toes;
• Pain caused by abdominal muscle spasms (fibromyalgia) is characterized by aching, cramping pains.

If the patient feels sharp pain in the spine, under no circumstances should you self-medicate and postpone a doctor's appointment.

Diagnosis

What to do if your lower back hurts?Depending on the cause of the discomfort, the patient may need to consult one or more doctors:

• Therapist- if acute appendicitis is suspected;
• Surgeon- if you suspect existing inflammatory processes in internal organs and intestinal obstruction.The doctor carefully palpates the abdominal cavity to detect dense, painful areas and performs a general blood test;
• Rheumatologist- to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis.The doctor takes into account the specific symptoms of the disease, prescribes an x-ray or MRI, and examines a general blood test;
• Neurologist- if you suspect myositis or osteochondrosis.The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound examination, general blood test and electromyography (a method that allows the degree of muscle damage to be assessed);
• Dermatologist- for skin lesions caused by the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.The doctor makes the diagnosis after visual inspection of the damaged area of skin and bacterial culture;
• Traumatologist- if there were bruises or injuries to the spine.The diagnosis is made after ultrasound or computed tomography;
• Orthopedist- for scoliosis, kyphosis and congenital anomalies of the spine.The diagnosis is usually made in adolescence;
• infectious disease specialist- if brucellosis is suspected.A general blood test and bacteriological culture are performed to detect the pathogen;
• Nephrologist- for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis.When diagnosing, the results of a general blood test, urinalysis, ultrasound and urography (examination of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract) are taken into account.

Because there are many causes of low back pain, it can be difficult for your doctor to make a diagnosis based on one test or study.

Most often, an integrated approach is practiced, including several types of diagnostic procedures, each of which has certain requirements:

1. X-ray imagesLumbar spine should be done in direct and lateral projections.In rare cases, examination in a flexed position may be necessary;
2. Computed tomography methodIt is considered more effective because it allows you to see existing hernias and spinal injuries.This study is performed infrequently because the patient receives a large dose of x-ray radiation;
3. MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) accurately displays the condition of intervertebral discs, processes and articular tissue.It is carried out in conjunction with a medical examination and other diagnostic procedures;
4. Radioisotope scanningcarried out to detect malignant tumors.The method involves introducing a radioisotope substance into the blood.After some time, the substance is localized in the tumor area, the focus is detected using a special scanner;
5. Densitometry— allows you to detect changes in the bone tissue of the spine, indicating the presence of osteoporosis at an early stage;
6. General blood testcarried out to diagnose inflammatory processes that cause low back pain.With its help, a number of serious diseases can be identified in a timely manner.

Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to quickly and accurately determine the cause of lower back pain.

It is important to describe in detail and accurately to the doctor the existing symptoms of the disease, not forgetting to mention existing injuries, congenital pathologies and previous illnesses (if any).

Treatment

Back pain in the lumbar region – how to treat it?If discomfort occurs after a bruise or sprain, cold will help alleviate the condition.This will not only reduce pain but also prevent swelling.

It is also recommended to minimize the load on the spine and take any of the available pain relievers.If you suspect a serious injury - a fracture or sprain - immediately call an ambulance.

Drug treatment

Severe pain in the lower back requires the use of medications and therapeutic exercises.Medications are administered in several ways:

• Subcutaneous injections (injections in places where the pain is located);
• Taking medicines in tablet form;
• Rubbing ointments, gels and analgesic solutions into the skin.

Treatment should be complemented with gymnastics (if the pain is not associated with injuries) and diagnosis of the disease that caused the low back pain.

Physiotherapy treatment

This treatment is prescribed after pain relief with medication.Physiotherapeutic procedures activate tissue metabolism, accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent further destruction of bone and joint tissues.

The list of procedures is as follows:

1. Electrophoresis.Provides rapid delivery of medicinal solution to areas of pain.The procedure goes like this: cotton pads soaked in a medicine solution are applied to the lower back.Special plates are attached to the top that emit electric current discharges.Under the influence of impulses, the solution penetrates the area of inflammation;
2. Ultrasound treatment.Special range sound waves stimulate blood circulation in the sacral lumbar region.Damaged areas receive maximum nutrients and molecular oxygen.The result of the procedures is an increase in metabolism and relief of the patient's condition;
3. Laser therapy.This method is used to treat destructive changes in the spine.Radiation in the infrared range activates the blood supply to cartilage and joints, promotes the removal of waste products and toxins from the body;
4. Magnetotherapy.Under the influence of magnetic waves, blood circulation is stimulated in the damaged areas of the spine, the pain decreases or disappears completely.

Physiotherapy will only be effective in combination with drug treatment, so the procedures must be agreed with the attending physician.

Traditional treatment methods

To get rid of pain in the lower back, traditional healers offer many recipes based on medicinal herbs.You can often find recommendations to increase the volume of liquid you drink - all types of decoctions help to remove waste products and toxins from the body that are formed as a result of inflammatory processes.

Many medicinal herbs contain biologically active substances that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic effects.

To relieve lower back pain, medicinal decoctions, compresses and ointments can be used.Here are some popular recipes:

• Pour boiling water over blueberry leaves, calendula flowers and St. John's wort in equal proportions and leave for half an hour.Drink the infusion throughout the day in small portions;
• Dried rosehip, juniper and blueberries (a small handful of each type of fruit) are placed in a thermos and filled with boiling water.Take half a glass half an hour before meals;
• Dissolve 2 tablespoons of pharmaceutical alcohol and 100 grams of petroleum jelly in one hundred grams of honey, use as a compress before bed.

It is important to remember that treatment with traditional methods is only suitable for minor back pain.Inflammatory processes accompanied by acute pain require treatment in a hospital setting.

A set of therapeutic measures is prescribed individually;the doctor selects the optimal treatment strategy depending on the cause of low back pain, existing symptoms and the patient's age.

Prevention

No one is immune to low back pain.It is completely impossible to avoid the natural wear and tear on bones and joints.However, it is quite possible to avoid serious back problems;just follow a few simple rules:

1. Do not neglect physical activity - walking and swimming, exercises to strengthen the back and abdominal cavity;
2. If possible, avoid excessive stress on the spine - do not lift too heavy objects, do not move furniture alone, etc.;
3. Monitor your body weight.Excess weight contributes to the destruction of joint and bone tissue;
4. Try walking and sitting upright.Good posture will alleviate many back problems and prevent hernias and bulges from forming.

These simple rules will help not only maintain the health of your spine, but also improve your overall well-being.Any symptoms of diseases associated with the spine - pain, stiffness, tension - cannot be ignored.

Timely and competent treatment will help avoid serious complications in the future.