Any pain is a signal of problems in the body.Back pain appears as a symptom of the reflection of diseases of internal systems and individual organs, mainly with degenerative-dystrophic musculoskeletal changes.Pain in the lower back can be a reason to consult a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, vertebrologist, gastroenterologist, urologist and gynecologist.
Pain pain - disagreement
In addition to injuries resulting from injuries, possible causes of back pain may include the following diseases:
- back;
- internal organs of the pelvis and gastrointestinal tract;
- the muscles.
Pain in the lower back varies significantly in strength and duration, they can be:
- sharp and painful;
- permanent or periodic;
- localized in one point, for example, right or left, or moves when the pain is the result of a projection of the pathology of the peritoneal organs and pelvis.
What could it be?
To make a diagnosis, you need to determine the nature, location and frequency of the pain, measure the temperature (high temperature indicates the presence of inflammation and/or infection), analyze the accompanying symptoms of the disease (vomiting, lining of the tongue, diarrhea, redness or rash on the skin) and consult a doctor.
Note!The higher the temperature, the more likely the cause of the pain is infectious, for example, with herpes zoster, which is characterized by pain in the lower back and characteristic redness of the skin.
After a conversation with the patient and his external examination to confirm the diagnosis, if necessary, the doctor can prescribe blood and urine tests, as well as:
- computed tomography;
- magnetic resonance;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- X ray.
1. Problems with the spine
Spinal problems, characterized by chronic low back pain, are accompanied by limited movement from a few hours to a few weeks and no increase in temperature.The most popular low back pain syndromes are:
- radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord, often of an inflammatory nature.They mainly suffer from cords formed by the roots and located between the vertebrae.Most often there is no acute onset.It can be a secondary symptom of another disease, such as osteochondrosis or tuberculosis of the spine;
- lumbago- attack of sudden and acute pain when lifting something heavy, with awkward movements or hypothermia.It is accompanied by stiffness and constant tension in the muscles of the lower back for a long time.It can be a consequence of some diseases, in addition to osteochondrosis, for example, displacement of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region;
- sciatica (inflammation, compression of the sciatic nerve).Paroxysmal pain in the lower back often moves to the sacrum and the back of the legs.In women, it can be a consequence of chronic inflammation of the appendages.
Note!When the nerve roots of the spinal cord are damaged, pain from the lower back can spread to one or both legs, accompanied by numbness and "pins and needles" sensations.
The most common diseases that cause pain in the middle are:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by the loosening of the cartilage and bone tissue of the joints with the involvement of nerves in the pathogenesis and pain due to the compression of the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord.
- spondilosis- dystrophic change (gradual thinning) of the lumbar vertebrae, ligaments weaken and bone growth occurs, narrowing the spinal canal.As a result, bone growths begin to compress the nerve roots, causing excruciating pain, which can be accompanied by a feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs.It can lead to dislocation of the vertebrae.Displacement of vertebrae and intervertebral discs in the lumbar region can cause pathology of the vertebrae located below and disrupt the functioning of the rectum and bladder.
- Ankylosing spondylitisaffects the intervertebral joints responsible for the mobility of the spine, or synovial joints.It appears as pain in the joints and spine, eye damage, proliferation of the connective tissue of the spinal joints, stiffness and complete loss of mobility of the lumbar joints.
- Extension(extension of the intervertebral cartilage without violating its integrity), and then herniation of the intervertebral disc (protrusion with violation of the integrity of the cartilage, compression of the nerve roots), which leads to the loss of joint function.Back pain can spread to the legs.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)due to chronic inflammation, it can lead to compression of the nerves and spinal cord that pass through it.The disease is accompanied by pain and cramps in the back that appear after a long walk and spinal claudication syndrome.In the sitting or lying position, the pain subsides, but when physical activity resumes, it again intensifies.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).In complicated cases, with a protective spasm of the back muscles against the background of spinal osteochondrosis with an intervertebral disc herniation in the lumbar region, pain in the lumbar region may occur.
Good to know!When the vertebrae are displaced, it is important to determine the cause of the problem: as a result of damage or as a result of degenerative processes.In the second case, regular adjustment of the vertebrae with the help of a chiropractor can worsen the situation, leading to the final destruction of the vertebral processes and compressed nerves.
Pain in the lower back can be caused by chronic non-infectious inflammation of joints involving ligaments, muscles and spinal cartilage in pathogenesis due to autoimmune processes.
2. Infections, myositis, tumors
The lower back is the most massive part of the spine, which is subjected to maximum loads.Inflammatory processes in this area are accompanied by bone pain, fatigue, headache, limited movement and fever.
It can be caused by infectious diseases that affect the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess, etc.);
Acute spasmodic pain in the lower back when bending occurs when lying or inflammation (myositis) of muscles and ligaments, due to hypothermia, excessive physical exertion.They appear suddenly and stand still;they can spread to the sacrum and back of the legs, making it difficult to bend and turn from side to side.
Pain in the lower back can also be the result of a tumor in the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve fibers or in the retroperitoneal space.
3. Problems of internal organs
Pathologies of internal organs often manifest as lumbar pain of a girdle nature, which indicates extensive damage to nerve fibers.
Among the main diseases of internal organs, characterized by pain in the lower back:
- pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Pain in the lower back is acute, often of a thoracic and/or upper abdominal nature.Possible repeated vomiting, diarrhea, coating on the tongue, decrease in blood pressure;
- other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction or inflammation, ulcerative colitis).With appendicitis with an atypical course, annoying pain in the lower back can be accompanied by a single vomiting;
- inflammatory diseases of the kidneys.Pain in the lower back is annoying, aching - with inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), sharp, cramping - with renal colic (due to the movement of a stone from the renal pelvis to the ureter).With lower back pain, an additional sign of kidney or bladder disease will be frequent urination.Urine is cloudy, sometimes mixed with blood.Possible fever, weakness, chills, headache, swelling, difficulty urinating;
- inflammation of the reproductive system.Pain in the lower abdomen (with inflammation of the appendages in women), in the anus (with prostate in men) and radiates to the lower back.The pain is accompanied by general intoxication (weakness, headache, fever), spots (in women).
In addition, pain can radiate to the lumbar region due to adhesions (scars) formed after operations, as well as disorders of spinal cord circulation (can lead to stroke) or metabolism (gout).
Low back pain and pregnancy
Pregnancy worsens the manifestations of diseases that exist in the mother's body.Due to changes in hormonal levels and increased stress, pathologies appear especially often in the second half of pregnancy.In addition to the pain that accompanies the threat of premature birth, the cause of back pain in a pregnant woman can be:
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- radiculitis;
- pancreatitis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urolithiasis (kidney stones).
Pain in the lower back can indicate problems with the spine and can also be a symptom of a urological, gynecological or gastroenterological disease.Most often they appear when the spinal nerves are irritated and the nerve roots are pinched.In order not to worsen the situation, to establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, you should contact a therapist, who will determine the area of pathology and refer you to the appropriate specialist for treatment.