Low back pain is a symptom known to many. It can appear in a representative of any sex and age. Pain can indicate damage to the musculoskeletal system, spinal cord, kidney, pelvic organs, or abdominal cavity. It can be faint or very intense, sharp, sore, stabbing, or shooting. Treatment depends directly on the type of pain and the causes that caused it.
causes
It is very important to find out the etiology of pain over time. First of all, it is worth noting the nature of the pain and the time of its occurrence. In addition, it is necessary to establish its connection with physical activity, food intake and going to the toilet. It is also important for women to trace the connection between the menstrual cycle and the onset of pain.
The reasons why lower back pain appears may be the following:
- Neurological problems. Most often, osteochondrosis and associated disorders of the innervation of the lumbar region are manifested in this way.
- Musculoskeletal pathology. Myositis is the same frequent occurrence as osteochondrosis and also causes pain.
- Kidney disease. The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space, that is, closer to the back than to the anterior abdominal wall. This is why kidney disease can be accompanied by back pain.
- Pathology of internal organs located intraperitoneally. Sometimes, but not often, low back pain is associated with diseases such as appendicitis and cholecystitis.
- Pathology of the pelvic organs. Especially often, such a manifestation of inflammation in the small pelvis appears in women.
Each of the diseases that lead to lower back pain should be considered in more detail.
Osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a metabolic pathology of the spine, in which the structure of the intervertebral discs is disrupted. After age 27, this condition is believed to be a normal age-related change and occurs in almost everyone.
Problems arise due to the fact that the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and ability to withstand stress. At the same time, it begins to go beyond the vertebral bodies. In the immediate vicinity of the vertebral bodies are the roots of the nerves emerging from the spinal cord. The disc compresses these nerves and discomfort occurs. This complication of osteochondrosis is called radiculitis.
Osteochondrosis can occur on any part of the back, but it most often affects the lower back. This happens because the load on the spine in this part is maximum and disc protrusion is more common.
The nature of the pain that occurs with radiculitis caused by osteochondrosis can be different. There are three types:
- Lumbago.It is also called "low back pain". This is a sharp and very intense pain that occurs in the lower back at the time of physical exertion. Such pain is subjectively like a shot. Makes you stop exercising. However, low back pain resolves fairly quickly, within seconds or minutes.
- Lombonia.This pain is less intense but of longer duration. It also occurs during exercise, but not immediately, but gradually. Such pain can develop for several hours. It has an annoying character. Lumbodynia continues for several days and significantly reduces exercise tolerance during this time period.
- Sciatica.Its difference from the previous species is that in addition to the lower back, the leg also hurts. As a rule, this is a one-sided injury, but bilateral pain is also possible. Lumioischialgia has a prolonged traction character. It develops gradually and, as it were, descends from the lower back to the thigh. This pain can lead to temporary lameness. It also passes in a few days.
If osteochondrosis occurs, it is necessary to consult a neurologist.
myositis
Almost everyone has experienced pain for this reason. This is exactly what people sound like "through" or "inflated back". The terms are not medical, but the general principle of pain is correctly described.
In this case, exposure to cold air or cold objects in the lumbar region leads to inflammation of the muscles located here. The fact is that the muscular system of the back is very well developed, and any pathological processes in it can simultaneously damage many anatomical structures.
First, due to inflammation, the muscles themselves hurt. Its fibers increase due to edema and compress the nerve endings that innervate this muscle. Secondly, in the immediate vicinity of the muscles there are the same nerve roots, which here already turn into nerve trunks. Their defeat can lead to long-term radiant pain.
The inflammation can travel from the muscle to the nerve trunk itself, which will lead to the spread of pain to the upper or lower back or internal organs. It is also best to treat myositis with a specialist.
Kidney disease
Due to the close proximity of the kidneys to the back, the pain when affected radiates right to the lower back. At the same time, painful sensations can lead to the idea of a certain kidney disease.
So, for example, urolithiasis is accompanied by very sharp unbearable pain in the lower back. It is also called colic. It occurs most often after or during urination. Such pain can be so intense that it puts a person in a state of emotional arousal and forces him to take unmotivated action. For example, during an attack, a person may start running around the room or make other sudden movements. They are justified by the fact that under load, the stone changes position in the urinary tract and the pain decreases.
Also, pain can occur with pyelonephritis. In this case it is less intense, but more prolonged. Pyelonephritis is a purulent inflammation of the calyx-pelvic system of the kidneys. In addition to pain, fever, weakness and malaise appear. With pyelonephritis, a positive symptom of Pasternatsky (tapping). Pain can be unilateral or bilateral.
Nephrologists treat kidney disease. It is better not to delay a visit to avoid complications.
Diseases of other organs
Pathology of internal organs located intraperitoneally is very rarely accompanied by back pain. More often the stomach hurts. However, with inflammation of the appendicular process located atypically, when it is distributed so that it is located behind the cecum, the pain will be in the lower back. This is important to know because there may be no stomach pain in this case. The person himself very often does not even know about such an anatomical feature of his organs.
With cholecystitis, pain often occurs in the right hypochondrium. However, due to some structural features of the gallbladder, it can also radiate to the lumbar region. Also, this symptom can appear with pancreatitis. In this case, the pain is associated with food intake. Most often it occurs after eating fried or fatty foods.
In women, lower back pain can occur as the equivalent of menstrual abdominal pain or inflammation of the reproductive system. For example, this is how annexesite or oophoritis manifests itself. This symptom often appears during pregnancy. This is due to excessive stress on the spine, possible pyelonephritis, or fetal pressure on the nerve endings in the lumbar region.
How to get rid of such pain?
First of all, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pain. This can only be done with the help of an appropriate specialist and after passing a series of examinations. Most often, an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan of the bones of the spine and spinal canal is needed. An ultrasound of all organs in which the above pathology can develop may also be necessary.
Osteochondrosis is treated by giving a special position to the back and spine, limiting physical activity and special exercises. Swimming also works well on the spine with this pathology. Pain can be reduced with NSAIDs taken orally or topically.
With myositis, it is also necessary to take NSAIDs and apply them in the lumbar region where pain occurs.
Urolithiasis and pyelonephritis must be treated by a doctor. In the first case, it can be the dissolution of stones by a pharmacological method or surgical removal. In the second case, antibiotics and uroseptics are prescribed.
Appendicitis is most often treated with surgery. Surgical treatment can also be used for cholecystitis and pancreatitis, but more often these pathological conditions are treated conservatively. NSAIDs, enzymes and bile acid substitutes are prescribed.
Diseases of the pelvic organs are treated by a gynecologist. This therapy can also be medical or surgical, depending on the type of pathology.
Therefore, we can conclude that lower back pain is a symptom that can occur both with damage to the spine itself and the muscles surrounding it, and with diseases of various internal organs. You can try to treat the pain on your own by starting with NSAIDs and reducing physical activity. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor for the timely detection of the pathology.