Back pain is slightly less common than headache. Every adult has encountered this feeling at least once. The neck and lower back are most commonly affected. Doctors attribute this to a gradual decrease in people's physical activity, as 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 get rid of discomfort and restore the joy of movement.
Main information
The high frequency of back pain is related to its anatomy. The base is the spine. Cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae, which perform a cushioning function. An additional skeleton is provided by muscles and ligaments. The spinal cord passes inside the spine, from which extend paired roots, innervating almost all organs and tissues.
A pathological process in any of the structures of the back, as well as the internal organs connected to it by nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often the doctor has to make a thorough diagnosis to understand its source.
The reasons
Most conditions that cause pain in some parts of the back are chronic. They start gradually and are asymptomatic for a long time.
Among the external and internal causes that can cause exacerbation, the most common are:
- increased load on the spine on the background of frequent weight lifting or overweight;
- metabolic disorders;
- posture disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (eg osteoarthritis of the hip or flat foot), leading to uneven load distribution;
- hypothermia;
- infectious and autoimmune inflammatory processes;
- volume formations (tumors, abscesses);
- pathology of the internal organs of the chest or abdominal cavity.
Diseases
Back pain can be a symptom of many diseases, which 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 high and / or uneven loading of the spine:
- osteochondrosis: the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to crumble, thin out and are replaced by bone tissue; as a result, the amortization 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 towards the spinal cord, pressing it; the problem often occurs against the background of advanced osteochondrosis;
- ankylosing spondylitis: autoimmune inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine, leading to painful spasms of the surrounding muscles; over time it causes the vertebrae to coalesce together;
- 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; more often affects the cervical spine;
- osteomyelitis: inflammation of the bone tissue.
Pathology of muscle tissue
Muscle tissue is often involved in the pathological process in the pathology of bone tissue or joints. In this case, painful spasms appear in the affected area. In addition, the pain may 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 of an autoimmune nature.
Pathology of the spinal cord and root
Most often the pain occurs against the background of compression of certain areas of nervous tissue due to trauma, tumor, osteochondrosis or disc herniation. An isolated lesion can be provoked by:
- inflammation associated with infection, including HIV and syphilis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- hemorrhage;
- lack of oxygen;
- deficiency of vitamins or minerals.
Pathology of internal organs
The innervation of most internal organs is done by the roots of the spinal cord. As a result, any pathological process in them can turn into causal back pain. Most often, doctors face the following problems:
- renal pathology: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis;
- inflammation of the pelvic organs: salpingitis, salpingo-oophoritis, prostatitis;
- gallbladder pathology: cholecystitis, cholelithiasis;
- damage to the cardiovascular system: angina pectoris, heart attack, dissected aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism;
- diseases of the respiratory system: pleurisy, pneumonia, abscess, pneumothorax;
- appendicitis.
The nature and location of pain
The location and nature of the sensations can tell a lot about their source. It is important to tell your doctor in as much detail as possible about your back pain so that he or she can identify the cause and be treated 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 worsened by movement;
- pain: characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in the muscles, tendons or internal organs;
- pressure or rupture: most often speaks of acute or chronic pathology of the internal organs;
- throbbing, strong: usually associated with trauma, lumbago, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
The localization of the pain syndrome can also help diagnose:
- right: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, ovarian or kidney damage on the right, appendicitis;
- left: pathology of the spleen, left kidney or 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, spasms during menstruation;
- under the right shoulder blade: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, pneumonia;
- under the left shoulder blade: heart disease, left-sided 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. One should urgently consult a specialist in the following situations:
- pain after injury;
- it is not possible to find a position in which the pain becomes less;
- there is a rise in temperature;
- signs of nerve damage appear: tingling, numbness, muscle weakness;
- pain worse at night;
- sensations are accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, palpitations, cold sweats;
- painkillers do not provide relief;
- the disease progresses despite treatment;
- blood pressure has changed dramatically (increased or decreased);
- you have problems urinating or the color of your urine has changed;
- the pain has spread to the chest, abdomen;
- the condition is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loose or delayed stools.
In principle, any suspicious symptom that has not been noted in previous bouts of pain should alert the patient and cause emergency medical attention.
Diagnosis
The back pain test includes:
- collection of complaints and anamnesis of the disease, clarification of the circumstances for the occurrence of pain, its nature, intensity, location and other important parameters, identification of risk factors for various diseases;
- general examination with measurement of blood pressure, assessment of heart rate, respiration, temperature;
- neurological examination: assessment of sensory and motor functions, the quality of reflexes;
- laboratory diagnostics: general blood and urine tests, basic biochemical blood test; if necessary, tests are prescribed to confirm or rule out 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 ultrasonography of the vessels of the neck and brain;
- electromyography: assessment of the quality of conduction of nerve impulses through muscle fibers;
- consultations of close specialists: nephrologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, etc.
The list of tests, diagnostic procedures and consultations may vary depending on the patient's complaints.
Treatment of back pain
The choice of treatment methods depends on the cause. Most often, doctors are faced with pathology 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;
- B vitamins: to improve the condition of nervous tissue;
- narcotic analgesics: with the ineffectiveness of drugs from other groups.
Additional procedures help to supplement the effect of drug treatment:
- physiotherapy: electro- and phonophoresis, laser and magnetic therapy, electroneurostimulation;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy.
Specific techniques are chosen by the doctor depending on the cause and the 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:
- prevention of hypodynamics: doing gymnastics, sports (without overload);
- avoid stress;
- have a nice holiday;
- eat right, prevent being overweight;
- avoid heavy lifting;
- correct posture disorders;
- to be regularly examined by a doctor, to treat chronic diseases in a timely manner.
Back pain can be subtle or completely immobilize a person. Do not allow a crisis, seek medical attention at the first sign of trouble.