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 physical activity of people, because many people work and relax at 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 you get rid of discomfort and restore the joy of movement.
general information
The high frequency of back pain is related to its anatomy. The base is the spinal column. Cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae that perform the function of absorbing shock. Muscles and ligaments provide an additional skeleton. The spinal cord passes inside the spinal column, from where the paired roots spread, innervating almost all organs and tissues.
The pathological process in any structure of the back, as well as the internal organs associated with them by nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often a doctor must conduct a thorough diagnosis to discover the source.
Reasons
Most conditions that cause pain in some part of the back are chronic. They start gradually and are asymptomatic for a long time.
Among the external and internal causes that can cause deterioration, the most common are:
- increased load on the spine in the background of frequent weight lifting or being overweight;
- metabolic disorders;
- posture disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, arthrosis of the hip joint or flat feet), leading to uneven load distribution;
- hypothermia;
- infectious and autoimmune inflammatory processes;
- volumetric formations (tumors, abscesses);
- pathology of the internal organs of the thorax or abdominal cavity.
Diseases
Back pain can be a symptom of many diseases that 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 a large and / or uneven load on the spine:
- osteochondrosis: the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to collapse, 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, squeezing 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 becomes the cause of vertebral fusion;
- spondylolisthesis: movement of the vertebrae from a normal position, which can lead to compression of the root 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.
Muscle tissue pathology
Muscle tissue is often involved in the pathological process in the pathology of bone tissue or joints. In this case, painful cramps appear in the affected area. In addition, pain may occur in the background:
- 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 roots
Pain most often occurs in the background of compression of certain areas of nervous tissue due to trauma, tumor, osteochondrosis or disc herniation. An isolated lesion can be caused by:
- infections associated with infection, including HIV and syphilis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- bleeding;
- lack of oxygen;
- vitamin or mineral deficiency.
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 become a cause of back pain. Doctors most often encounter the following problems:
- renal pathology: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis;
- inflammation of the pelvic organs: salpingitis, salpingo-oophoritis, prostatitis;
- gallbladder pathology: cholecystitis, cholelithiasis;
- cardiovascular system damage: angina pectoris, heart attack, aortic aneurysm dissection, pulmonary embolism;
- Respiratory system diseases: pleurisy, pneumonia, abscess, pneumothorax;
- appendicitis.
Nature and localization of pain
The localization and nature of the sensations can say a lot about their source. It is important to tell the doctor as nicely as possible how exactly the back hurts so that he can recognize the cause as soon as possible and get treatment.
Depending on its nature, pain can be:
- acute: often occurs in the background of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, lumbago or radiculitis, usually worsened by movements;
- painful: characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in muscles, ligaments or internal organs;
- pressure or cracking: most often speaks of acute or chronic pathology of internal organs;
- pulsating, strong: usually associated with trauma, lumbago, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Localization of the pain syndrome can also help in the diagnosis of:
- right: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, damage to the ovaries or kidneys on the right side, 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 ovarian inflammation, uterine pathology, cramps during menstruation;
- below the right shoulder blade: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, interstratal neuralgia on the right side, pleurisy, pneumonia;
- below the left shoulder blade: heart disease, left pneumonia, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, etc.
When you need to see a doctor urgently
Back pain can be both a sign of relatively harmless pathology, and evidence of a dangerous process that requires urgent medical attention. The person should immediately consult a specialist in the following situations:
- pain occurred after 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 stronger at night;
- sensations accompanied by weakness, darkening of the eyes, palpitations, cold sweat;
- painkillers do not provide relief;
- the disease progresses despite treatment;
- blood pressure changed abruptly (increased or decreased);
- you have problems urinating or the color of your urine has changed;
- the pain spread to the chest, abdomen;
- the condition is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, copious liquid or delayed stool.
In general, any suspicious symptom not seen in previous attacks of pain should alert the patient and become a reason for emergency medical attention.
Diagnosis
Examination of back pain includes:
- collecting complaints and anamnesis of the disease, clarifying the circumstances of the pain, its nature, intensity, localization and other important parameters, determining 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, reflex quality;
- laboratory diagnostics: general blood and urine tests, basic biochemical blood test; if necessary, tests are prescribed that confirm or exclude a certain 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 ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and brain;
- electromyography: assessment of the quality of conduction of nerve impulses through muscle fibers;
- consultations of narrow specialists: nephrologists, cardiologists, gynecologists, 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 method depends on the cause. Doctors are most often faced with pathology of the musculoskeletal system and nervous tissue. In this case, pain relievers become the basis of therapy:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- hormonal agents;
- muscle relaxants: to relieve muscle cramps;
- B vitamins: to improve the condition of nervous tissue;
- narcotic analgesics: with 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.
Certain techniques are chosen by the doctor depending on the cause and 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:
- prevent hypodynamics: do gymnastics, do sports (without overload);
- avoid stress;
- Relax;
- eat right, prevent extra pounds;
- avoid lifting heavy loads;
- correct posture disorders;
- see a doctor regularly, treat chronic diseases in a timely manner.
Back pain can be subtle or it can completely immobilize a person. Do not allow a crisis, visit a doctor at the first signs of trouble.