Back pain is slightly less common than headache. Every adult has encountered this feeling at least once. Most often, the neck and lower back are 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 to eliminate discomfort and regain the joy of moving.
general informations
The high incidence of back pain is associated with its anatomy. The base is the spine. Cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae, which perform a cushioning function. The extra skeleton is provided by muscles and ligaments. The spinal cord passes inside the spine, from which paired roots extend, innervating almost all organs and tissues.
A pathological process in any of the structures of the back, as well as the internal organs associated with it with nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often times, a doctor must perform a thorough diagnosis in order to find out its source.
The reasons
Most of the conditions that cause pain in parts of the back are chronic. They start gradually and remain asymptomatic for a long time.
Among the external and internal causes that can cause an exacerbation, the most common are:
- increased load on the spine against the background of frequent weight lifting or overweight;
- Metabolic disorders;
- postural disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoarthritis of the hip joint or flat feet), resulting in uneven load distribution;
- hypothermia;
- infectious and autoimmune inflammatory processes;
- volumetric formations (tumors, abscesses);
- pathology of the internal organs of the chest or abdominal cavity.
Diseases
Back pain can be a symptom of many illnesses which can be divided into several groups.
Pathology of the spine or joints
It is the most common cause of back pain. Most diseases are associated with a high and / or uneven load on the spine:
- osteochondrosis: the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to sag, thin out and be replaced by bone tissue; as a result, the impairing 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, squeezing it; the problem often arises against the background of advanced osteochondrosis;
- Ankylosing spondylitis: autoimmune inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine, resulting in painful spasms of surrounding muscles; over time, it becomes the cause of splicing the vertebrae together;
- spondylolisthesis: displacement of the vertebra from its normal position, which can cause 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 bone tissue.
Muscle tissue pathology
Muscle tissue is often involved in the pathological process of the pathology of bone tissue or joints. In this case, painful spasms appear in the affected area. In addition, pain can 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 autoimmune in nature.
Pathology of the spinal cord and roots
Most often, pain occurs against the background of compression of certain areas of nervous tissue due to trauma, tumor, osteochondrosis or herniated disc. An isolated lesion can be caused by:
- inflammation associated with infection, including HIV and syphilis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- hemorrhage;
- lack of oxygen;
- vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Pathology of internal organs
Innervation of most internal organs is carried out by the roots of the spinal cord. As a result, any pathological process in them can become a causative back pain. Most often, doctors are faced with the following problems:
- renal pathology: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis;
- inflammation of the pelvic organs: salpingitis, salpingo-oophoritis, prostatitis;
- pathology of the gallbladder: cholecystitis, gallstones;
- damage to the cardiovascular system: angina, heart attack, dissecting aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism;
- diseases of the respiratory system: pleurisy, pneumonia, abscess, pneumothorax;
- appendicitis.
The nature and location of the pain
The location and nature of sensations can say a lot about their source. It is important to explain to the doctor in as much detail as possible how the back hurts, so that he can identify the cause and receive treatment 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 aggravated by movement;
- pain: characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in muscles, ligaments or internal organs;
- pressing or bursting: most often speaks of acute or chronic pathology of internal organs;
- pulsation, strong: usually associated with trauma, lumbago, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
The location of the pain syndrome can also help diagnose:
- on the right: pathology of the liver, gall bladder, duodenum, damage to the ovary or kidney on the right, appendicitis;
- left: pathology of the spleen, kidney or left 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, cramps during menstruation;
- under the right scapula: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, pneumonia;
- under the left scapula: heart disease, left pneumonia, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, etc.
When you need to see an emergency doctor
Back pain can be both a sign of a relatively harmless condition and evidence of a dangerous process that requires immediate medical attention. A person should urgently consult a specialist in the following situations:
- the pain occurred after an injury;
- it is not possible to find a position in which the pain becomes weaker;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- signs of nerve damage appear: numbness, tingling, muscle weakness;
- pain worse at night;
- sensations are accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, palpitations, cold sweats;
- pain relievers do not provide relief;
- the disease progresses despite treatment;
- blood pressure has changed significantly (increased or decreased);
- you have difficulty passing urine 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 copious stools.
In general, any suspicious symptoms that have not been noted in previous painful attacks should alert the patient and become a reason for urgent medical attention.
Diagnostic
The examination for back pain includes:
- collection of complaints and anamnesis of the disease, clarification of the circumstances of the onset of pain, its nature, intensity, localization and other important parameters, identification of risk factors for various diseases;
- general examination with measurement of blood pressure, evaluation of heart rate, respiration, temperature;
- neurological examination: evaluation 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 exclude a specific pathology;
- ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
- X-ray, CT scan or MRI of the spine;
- Ultrasound of the organs of the abdominal cavity, small pelvis;
- pulmonary radiography;
- Doppler ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and brain;
- electromyography: evaluation of the quality of conduction of nerve impulses through muscle fibers;
- consultations of narrow 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 a pathology of the musculoskeletal system and nervous tissue. In this case, analgesics become the basis of treatment:
- nonsteroidal 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 therapy:
- physiotherapy: electro- and phonophoresis, laser and magnetotherapy, electro-neurostimulation;
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- physiotherapy.
Specific techniques are selected 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 avoided. To do this, you must adhere to the following rules:
- prevent hypodynamia: do gymnastics, play sports (without overloading);
- avoid stress;
- have a good rest;
- eat well, avoid excessive weight gain;
- avoid lifting heavy objects;
- correct postural disorders;
- be regularly examined by a doctor, treat chronic diseases in a timely manner.
Back pain can be subtle or completely immobilize a person. Do not allow a seizure, see a doctor at the first sign of trouble.