Back pain in the lumbar region can indicate various diseases of the spine, disorders in the connections of nerve structures, injuries of internal organs, soft tissues, oncological tumors. Pain syndrome can have different intensity and nature of manifestation. Depending on the type of pain that occurs, the pathology can be identified, but in order to get an accurate diagnosis, an examination is carried out, including instrumental diagnostics. This allows you to find out why the pain is occurring. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor chooses the treatment.
Types of pain
Back pain in the lumbar region may indicate the development of serious pathologies. But in most cases, discomfort is benign and is associated with the influence of various external factors:
- hypothermia;
- staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- compression of blood vessels;
- soft tissue damage due to trauma.
When diagnosing back pain, the doctor pays attention to the nature of its manifestation and duration. If the pain occurs due to a cold or simple hypothermia, it will completely disappear 2 weeks after using ointments containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components. They will not help to cure the disease, but it does not hurt to move after them.
If the pain in the spine does not disappear, despite the use of local drugs, and sometimes it increases, a complete examination is necessary. In some cases, such a symptom is an alarming sign that indicates the development of dangerous diseases. In diseases of the spinal column, at the moment of the attack, the pain can radiate to different parts of the body: legs, arms, groin. Often, such an attack is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the body: a feeling of numbness, tingling, goosebumps, burning.
In most cases, pain in the lumbar region occurs suddenly, is acute and resembles lumbago (lumbago). The patients themselves describe the pain as shooting, sharp, sometimes constricting and less intense. At the time of the attack, the person's movements are limited, and the lower back can be straightened only through pain. The movements do not bring relief and sometimes cause increased pain. An acute condition may last only a few minutes, but sometimes it lasts a day or more.
Women and men over the age of 50, as well as people who have suffered serious injuries, have chronic lower back pain. In this case it is constant, but tolerable; patients notice only mild discomfort, stiffness of mobility in the morning and pain at night. Attacks of chronic pain can be triggered by stress, heavy lifting or hypothermia. The rest of the time there is no pain, there is stiffness and discomfort.
Lower back pain in pregnant women
Women often have lower back pain during pregnancy. Its appearance is associated with natural changes. As the fetus grows, around the second trimester of pregnancy, the center of gravity changes, causing postural deformation with deflection in the lumbar region. This change is not dangerous, it occurs suddenly in more than 70% of women, but it needs to be monitored because it can lead to serious health problems in the future.
No special treatment is carried out during pregnancy. To reduce the intensity of painful attacks, the doctor may recommend that the woman take a local NSAID. In some cases, it is recommended to wear support structures to ensure proper distribution of the load on the spine.
Also, expectant mothers should not ignore the general rules, they must rest regularly and avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Be careful when bending over to pick something up. Straighten your back and stand up straight, then you need to get up as slowly as possible. Attention should also be paid to choosing a bed at home, it should be comfortable.
Pain at night and in the morning
If strong discomfort bothers a person mainly at night and appears in the morning immediately after waking up, the problem should be sought in the quality of night's sleep. Manifestation of sharp painful sensations is associated with incorrect position of the body at night during the period of rest. The first thing you should do at home is to replace the mattress, bed and pillow. It would be good if the bed was orthopedic.
If the pain is noticed only in the morning, it is worth considering the possibility of sudden movements after waking up. It is better to wake up earlier and gently warm up your muscles and joints while lying in bed. When you regularly perform such exercises, you can forget about the manifestation of pain. It will be much easier for you to bend down, and the feeling that your back is stiff will disappear. It will be easier to get up after warming up.
It is also worth considering that the spine and lower back suffer from excess body weight. The problem of back pain occurs more often in obese people, as well as in patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle. After normalizing behavior and improving the quality of night rest, periodic pains disappear if they are not associated with any disease.
Pain in the lower back spreads to the leg
Pain that occurs in the back can spread throughout the body. It most often radiates into the leg, and can affect part of the foot and reach the heel. The cause of the pain is sciatica, lumbago or radiculitis, i. e. pathologies associated with nerve tissue damage. Due to changes in the structure of the cartilage tissue, which lead to the deformation of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes, there is a pinching of the nerve endings, against the background of which sharp pain attacks appear that radiate to the leg.
Acute pain
The duration of acute pain attacks varies. They can last from a few minutes to a few weeks. Chronic pain can manifest itself imperceptibly and sharply for a person, the patient gets used to it and may not feel it when the attack passes.
Acute, unbearable attacks of pain in the lumbar region are characteristic of various diseases:
- scoliosis;
- myositis;
- arthritis;
- arthrosis;
- neurological lesions;
- tumor processes;
- osteomyelitis;
- spondylitis
If the pain has a bursting character, it means that the roots of the spinal cord are involved in a pathological inflammatory process. If the pain is monotonous, dull and spreads to the abdominal cavity, inflammation of the liver should be suspected. Severe attacks that disturb consciousness and cause its loss may signal urolithiasis or pyelonephritis.
Causes of lower back pain
Back pain in the lumbar region can have different causes. Many of them lead to the development of pathologies that significantly reduce the quality of life, in which pain becomes a constant companion. Trying to solve the problem on your own is practically pointless and difficult, and the correct diagnosis and selection of competent treatment can only be made based on the results of instrumental diagnostics.
The most common causes of back pain:
- intervertebral hernial protrusions;
- osteochondrosis;
- disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- curvature of the spine;
- tumors;
- muscle and ligament damage;
- soft tissue infections.
Often, the cause of pain is simple hypothermia, which affects the largest nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve. Also, against the background of hypothermia, it can be compressed, which causes acute pain. Other factors can trigger seizures:
- physical inactivity;
- excessive nervous tension;
- hard physical work;
- damage and injury.
Pain in the lower back can occur with urolithiasis, followed by an attack. They are also characteristic of many sexually transmitted diseases. Pain in the lumbar region in women is not always pathological. It is a physiological norm if it occurs before menstrual bleeding or at the beginning of menopause. In these cases, the conditions are not dangerous and can be controlled with the use of painkillers. With all the mentioned pathologies, it is problematic to move, bend or do any work at home.
Diseases of the spine
The main cause of pain in the lower back is various diseases, deformations and lesions of the spinal column. Pain can be of a completely different nature. The intensity of their manifestation depends on many factors and varies greatly depending on the affected part of the spine. The most commonly observed types of pain are:
- periodically;
- local or local;
- pulling or squeezing;
- burning and cutting;
- shooting.
The intensity of symptomatic manifestations may depend on stress, sitting in an uncomfortable position on a chair, sports and physical activity. The discomfort increases when you stand or sit awkwardly. When the muscle fibers spasm, lumbago is observed, and the whole area hurts. With such pain, stiffness of movement occurs, the symptom spreads to the back of the thighs, and can reach the calves and even the feet. Much depends on the type of disease and its nature. Pathology must be treated by a specialist.
Intervertebral hernia
Intervertebral hernias of the lumbar region are often formed with osteochondrosis in the later stages of development. They usually cover mainly the lumbar part, the lower part of the back, and are formed between the 4th and 5th. vertebra, as well as in the sacral part. The pain syndrome in this case is unpleasant, intrusive, is associated with damage to the nerve roots, and poor blood circulation occurs. The pain is similar to that of radiculitis, and it gets worse when you stand or sit on an uncomfortable chair. If the hernial formation is large, it compresses the spinal cord, the person experiences a loss of sensitivity, and in complicated cases paralysis is possible due to the insertion of a hernia between the intervertebral discs.
You can understand what is bothering you with an intervertebral hernia by the appearance of the following episodes:
- it is impossible to stand without support on a chair or other surface, this is due to the increased load on the intervertebral discs;
- lying on the stomach is extremely uncomfortable;
- feeling of stiffness in the back;
- difficult to bend forward;
- bending the back is impossible due to pain that interferes with movement.
Hernia treatment is carried out conservatively and operatively. The appropriate method is determined depending on the patient's condition. Conservative treatment of the disease in advanced cases is ineffective.
Rachiocampsis
With smaller curvatures, pain does not appear. A feeling of fatigue may occur, the person wants to spend more time lying down, because the pain becomes stronger when standing or sitting. In the case of second-degree deformities, various neurological disorders occur. In this phase, pain appears, which can be moderate and moderately intense, present on the left and right. As the disease progresses, the discomfort increases during the day, in advanced forms it becomes unbearable, and it is not alleviated by local and systemic painkillers. It is difficult to completely get rid of the manifestation, the curvature can be quickly cured.
Osteoporosis
This disease often occurs in men and women over the age of 50. The pathology is characterized by a rapid loss of bone tissue. Due to such a loss, fragility occurs, the vertebrae become less strong, and damage is possible even with minor injuries, physical exertion or lifting heavy loads. Patients bend only because of discomfort and return from the bent position with severe pain. In order for a person to lift something from the floor, it is better to sit down and straighten the back, and then stand up. If you sit down first, the health risks of osteoporosis will be reduced.
Osteoporosis pain is not only the result of a fracture. The disease is dangerous, it can be used to register a disability group.
Spinal injuries
The most common injury is a bruise. If it is mild, there is moderate discomfort. It tends to intensify during the day with movement, causing local swelling with hematomas and bleeding. The symptom is always aggravated by movement and exercise. In severe cases, the problem not only hurts, but can also be accompanied by neurological disorders, especially if nerve endings are involved in the process. It is impossible to completely solve the problem, even with surgery it is not always possible to cure the consequences of injuries.
Soft tissue and kidney injuries
Soft tissue bruises cause mild pain, which subsides after local application of anti-inflammatory compounds. The pain is always local, the bruise is swollen, and bleeding is possible.
If, in combination with the described symptoms, pain in the lumbar region on the left side is accompanied by the appearance of blood in the urine, it means that the kidneys have been damaged. The discomfort will be more intense, with serious injuries to the excretory organs, urination is difficult or becomes impossible. Hematomas can appear on the lower back. The development of shock and life-threatening conditions is not excluded.
Spinal infections
Infectious lesions of the spine are more dangerous. Osteomyelitis can be:
- postoperative;
- post-traumatic;
- contact;
- hematogenous.
In acute cases, the disease progresses at lightning speed. It is characterized by increased manifestations of pain that intensify during the day, accompanied by high body temperature and a very strong deterioration of the general condition. The nature of discomfort can be different: twitching, pressing, shooting. The attacks are strong, making movement difficult and forcing them to freeze in one position as it hurts to move. In chronic pathologies, fistulas may appear with the formation of purulent discharge.
An uncommon but dangerous disease of the spine is spinal tuberculosis. Already in the initial stage of development, it causes deep and very strong pains below, which reach their peak after exercise. The gait of men and women becomes stiff. As bone structures are destroyed, nerve roots are compressed, the pain becomes burning and spreads to the lower body.
In case of spinal epidural abscess, the pain is quite deep, very strong, accompanied by chills and muscle tension. Against the background of progress, the radicular syndrome intensifies, paresis occurs, and the functioning of the pelvic organs is disturbed.
Muscle damage
Painful discomfort in the lower lumbar area can occur after physical activity, weight lifting or intensive training. It also manifests itself during a long stay in a static position with tension in the lower back and gluteal muscles.
With such a lesion, the discomfort manifests itself less intensively at rest and after rest, after applying warming ointment. Muscle damage or myositis occurs not only against the background of infections. It can be caused by stress and hypothermia of the body, severe poisoning, metabolic disorders. The condition is most often accompanied by pain.
Myofascial syndrome
Myofascial syndrome is classified as a painful condition in which lower back discomfort is associated with painful muscle tension. During an attack, trigger points appear in the affected area. The sources of pain are muscles and fascia, connective tissues. For the treatment of this pathology, experts prescribe painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sedatives.
In some cases, the treatment of the disease with the help of centrally acting muscle relaxants is indicated. Such drugs are designed to reduce tonic tension, reduce excitement, and cause the muscles involved in the spasm to relax so that the person can bend. In some cases, specialists resort to blocking the points by administering an anesthetic.
Tumors of the spine, kidneys
Tumors of the spine and spinal cord are quite rare. The frequency of detection of such diseases is not higher than 0. 5% of the total number of diagnosed cancer pathologies. Neoplasms can be benign or malignant. Depending on this, the prognosis varies significantly.
In this pathology, a characteristic symptom is pain in the lumbar region. With a benign etiology, the discomfort is relieved by the use of drugs. If the formation is malignant, the treatment must be complex, often reduced to surgery.
Also, pain in the lower back on the left side can be traced to kidney cancer. It will have a pronounced character, it can be painful, pressing, shooting. Discomfort increases over time, and urination disorders develop. Do not steam or heat the affected area. Normalization of the condition is possible after removal of the formation.
What to do after acute back pain
If acute back pain appears for a moment, you can control the situation yourself. If possible, you should see a specialist and undergo an examination to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
It is necessary to contact a specialist immediately if the following symptoms appear:
- lower back pain of any nature lasting a week;
- on the background of pain, the body temperature rises;
- discomfort manifested itself at the site of previous injuries and damage;
- the pain spreads to the whole body;
- The sensitivity of certain areas is lost.
In these cases, the pain cannot be ignored. It is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible and start treatment, otherwise the disease will progress.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you suspect the development of a disease of the musculoskeletal system, you should consult a traumatologist or neurologist. Specialists will perform an examination, physical examination and prescribe the necessary instrumental examination. If your back suddenly hurts, you can call an ambulance. You can use pain relief gels at home.
If you suspect that pain in the lumbar region is the result of kidney damage, visit a urologist or nephrologist. You can also visit a therapist. Any of the specialists will tell you what to do for lower back pain manifested against the background of kidney disease, and will also prescribe an additional examination. Laboratory tests of the patient's blood and urine are required to confirm or deny the disease.
If women sporadically experience pain in the lower back, and it is associated with menstruation or menopause, it is worth raising this issue with a gynecologist. The specialist will help you choose a treatment that will remove the discomfort. In cases where it is necessary to clarify the origin of the pain syndrome, it is necessary to visit a therapist, family doctor or general practitioner. The doctor will conduct an examination and determine the preliminary cause of the violation.
Diagnostics
There are many factors that can cause pain in the lumbar region, and even an experienced doctor cannot make an accurate diagnosis without an examination. As part of diagnostics, the following methods are used:
- x-ray examination of the painful area;
- MRI;
- Ultrasound of pelvic and abdominal organs;
- general analysis of urine and blood;
- electroneuromyography.
If the pain occurs against the background of pathologies of the genitourinary system or gastrointestinal tract, an endoscopic examination of the intestine may be necessary. If the development of neoplasms in the body is suspected, a biochemical blood test is performed.
Treatment
The intervention regimen necessary for the treatment of back pain is selected individually. The main rule is that therapy should be comprehensive, including symptomatic treatment and lifestyle changes. Treatment is selected after the doctor determines the cause of the pain.
Regardless of the cause of back pain, all patients should follow these rules:
- do not lift heavy objects;
- bend over and straighten your back when sitting;
- give up strenuous sports;
- if you are overweight, you should lose weight;
- change the sleeping place, make it comfortable;
- Carrying out regular minutes of physical education sitting directly on a chair or armchair;
- light sports;
- do not bathe in a steam bath, do not visit a sauna, do not take a warm bath;
- wearing a support bandage (as recommended by the doctor).
For diagnosed spine pathologies, the treatment complex includes the following recommendations:
- Medical influence. The use of painkillers, anti-inflammatory and decongestants is indicated. Medicines can be prescribed for oral use and topical application in the form of creams, gels or ointments that relieve pain.
- Blockage of the lumbar region.
- Physiotherapy. Patients are prescribed physical therapy, massage, magnetotherapy and electrophoresis.
- Acupuncture, manual therapy, osteopathy.
In severe cases, when conservative intervention for spinal pathologies does not give results, surgical intervention is performed.
The information in the article should not become the basis for self-diagnosis and treatment, but is for informational purposes only. You should not take any medication without consulting a specialist.
Trying to figure out how to get rid of lower back pain and why your back hurts on your own is almost pointless. It can have a different nature, depending on which effective method of influence is chosen. Self-medication for many pathologies is ineffective and dangerous, as it leads to worsening of the condition.