Back pain is slightly less common than headache. Every adult has come across 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, because many people both work and relax at the computer. This is the reason for the occurrence 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 regain the joy of movement.
general information
The high incidence of back pain is associated with its anatomy. The basis is the spinal column. Cartilaginous discs are located between the vertebrae, which perform a shock-absorbing function. Additional skeleton is provided by muscles and ligaments. The spinal cord passes inside the spinal column, 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 by nerve fibers, can cause pain. Often, a doctor needs to carry out a thorough diagnosis in order to find out its source.
The reasons
Most of the conditions that cause pain in some part of the back are chronic. They begin gradually and are 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;
- posture disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, arthrosis of the hip joint or flat feet), leading to an uneven distribution of the load;
- 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 medical conditions, which can be divided into several groups.
Spine or joint pathology
This is the most common cause of back pain. Most diseases are associated with high and / or uneven load on the spinal column:
- osteochondrosis: the cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae begin to collapse, thin out and be replaced by bone tissue; as a result, the depreciation 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, leading to painful spasms of the surrounding muscles; over time, it becomes the cause of the splicing of the vertebrae 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.
Muscle tissue pathology
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, 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 of an autoimmune nature.
Spinal cord and root pathology
Most often, pain occurs against the background of compression of certain areas of the 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.
Internal organ pathology
The innervation of most of the 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 face the following problems:
- renal pathology: pyelonephritis, urolithiasis;
- inflammation of the pelvic organs: salpingitis, salpingo-oophoritis, prostatitis;
- pathology of the gallbladder: cholecystitis, cholelithiasis;
- damage to the cardiovascular system: angina pectoris, heart attack, dissecting aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism;
- respiratory system diseases: pleurisy, pneumonia, abscess, pneumothorax;
- appendicitis.
The nature and localization of pain
The localization and nature of sensations can tell a lot about their source. It is important to tell the doctor in as much detail as possible exactly 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;
- aching: characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes in the muscles, ligaments or internal organs;
- pressing or bursting: most often speaks of acute or chronic pathology of internal organs;
- pulsating, strong: usually associated with trauma, lumbago, spondylosis, exacerbation of osteochondrosis.
Localization of pain syndrome can also help diagnose:
- on the right: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, damage to the ovary or kidney 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, cramps during menstruation;
- under the right scapula: pathology of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right-sided 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. A person should urgently consult a specialist in the following situations:
- pain occurred after injury;
- can't 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 sweat;
- pain relievers do not provide relief;
- the disease progresses despite treatment;
- the blood pressure has changed sharply (increased or decreased);
- you have problems urinating or the color of your urine has changed;
- pain has spread to the chest, abdomen;
- the condition is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, profuse loose or delayed stool.
In general, any suspicious symptom that was not noted in previous attacks of pain should alert the patient and become a reason for urgent medical attention.
Diagnostics
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, 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 examination; if necessary, tests are prescribed to confirm or exclude a specific pathology;
- ECG, ultrasound of the heart;
- X-ray, CT or MRI of the spine;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity organs, small pelvis;
- chest x-ray;
- Doppler ultrasonography of the vessels of the neck and brain;
- electromyography: assessment of the quality of nerve impulses conduction 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.
Back pain treatment
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, pain relievers 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 the 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 selected 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 hypodynamia: do gymnastics, go in for sports (without overload);
- avoid stress;
- have a good rest;
- eat right, prevent excess weight gain;
- avoid heavy lifting;
- correct posture disorders;
- be regularly examined by a doctor, treat chronic diseases in a timely manner.
Back pain can be subtle, or it can completely immobilize a person. Do not allow a crisis, see a doctor at the first sign of trouble.