Diseases whose symptom is pain in different places in the lumbar region

It is difficult to find a person who is not familiar with back pain in the lumbar region.Most often, this trouble occurs after a person spends a lot of time in one position - for example, sitting.According to statistics, about 90% of all people periodically experience pain in the lumbar region.

The problem is faced by men and women, more often in middle and old age.Acute pain not only causes discomfort, but also leaves you unable to work for a long time.In some cases, the person cannot fully move and take care of themselves.

In most cases, pain in the spine is caused by inflammatory processes, less often by diseases of internal organs.Unpleasant sensations rarely go away by themselves, so it is important not to miss alarming symptoms and consult a doctor in time.Timely diagnosis will help to avoid serious complications in the future.

The structure of the lumbar region

The lower back is part of the posterior abdominal wall.This is a fairly powerful and durable plexus of muscles designed to protect the spinal cord from damage and injury.The lumbar region is involved in the movement of the body during sports, sitting and walking.The upper border of the lumbar region is considered the edge of the costal bones, the lower border goes along the tops of the iliac bones.

The components of the department are:

• Five vertebrae;
• Bone structures;
• Ligaments and tendons;
• Muscle tissue;
• Joint capsules;
• Blood vessels.

The spine is cushioned by intervertebral discs.The lumbar part is not only very strong, but also flexible – it provides the possibility of rotational movements, bending and stretching.The spinal cord inside the spine is protected by the arch of the process, the joints of which are responsible for the direction of movement.The muscles of this part ensure a stable position of the body.

Possible foci of inflammation

Acute or periodic pain in the lower back can be a consequence of inflammatory processes of internal organs located in the retroperitoneal space.

In the sacrolumbar region, the following tissues and organs are susceptible to inflammation:

1. Skin.Pain in the lumbar region can be caused by pathogens (streptococci, staphylococci).They penetrate the sebaceous and sweat glands, creating a focus of purulent-necrotic inflammation, which gradually spreads to the surrounding tissues (furunculosis).When several glands located next to each other are affected at once, a carbuncle can form - a collection of lymph and inflamed cells, which reaches a diameter of several centimeters.If, as a result of a wound or injury, streptococci penetrate the skin, pyoderma occurs - painful ulcers appear on the surface;
2. Spinal column.Pain in the spine can be caused by non-infectious inflammation of the lumbosacral region and adjacent tissues.This disease is known as ankylosing spondylitis.In this case, the patient feels pain not only in the spine, but also in the muscles.As the disease progresses, the person loses the ability to move normally, and the pain spreads to the hip joints.Less commonly, inflammation of the spinal column may be the result of tuberculosis, brucellosis, or osteomyelitis;
3. Ligaments and muscles.With hypothermia, injuries or a sedentary lifestyle, pain in the lower back will be a consequence of inflammatory processes in muscle tissue and ligaments;
4. Appendix.Often this organ is located behind the cecum;with appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), a person, along with other symptoms, feels acute back pain in the lower back.
5. Kidneys.One of the signs of inflammation of the renal pelvis is severe pain in the lumbar region.

Only a qualified doctor can determine the cause of back pain.A visit to the doctor should not be delayed, especially in the case of acute appendicitis - in this case, urgent hospitalization and surgical intervention is required.

Causes of lower back pain

What can cause lower back pain?Modern medicine distinguishes between primary and secondary causes of pain in the spine.In the first case, various pathologies of the spine are understood, in the second, diseases of internal organs occur.

No less important are the predisposing factors, the presence of which can cause the development of the disease:

• A special feature of regular activity is hard physical work, professional sports;
• Forced stay in one position for a long time - working at the computer, studying;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Bad nutrition - consumption of large amounts of fatty and sweet food in the absence of cereals, vegetables and dairy products;
• Abuse of tobacco and alcohol;
• Grossly overweight.

It is important to reduce or eliminate risk factors whenever possible;this will not only avoid back problems but also improve your overall health.

The primary causes of pain are spinal pathologies.This is the name given to various degenerative-dystrophic processes in this part of the body;this category includes the following diseases:

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis- a disease associated with dystrophic changes in cartilage and intervertebral discs.The tissue structure gradually changes, which leads to pinched nerves and constant tension in the back muscles.In the background of osteochondrosis, hernias and protrusions develop, the pain becomes unbearable over time;
2. Spondyloarthrosis- cartilage deformation, due to which they lose elasticity.Over time, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae are exposed and the joint capsules become inflamed;
3. Spondylolisthesis- movement of the vertebrae in relation to each other.Because of this, the lumen of the spinal canal is changed and the spinal roots are damaged, causing excruciating pain in the lower back.

Secondary causes of pain are factors that arise due to the development of pathologies of internal organs.In this situation, there can be several diagnoses:

1. Metabolic disorders.Due to an acute lack of vitamins and minerals, bones and joints lose elasticity and collapse;
2. Malignant formations, localized in the immediate vicinity of the spinal column.Severe pain in this case is caused by metastases penetrating the intervertebral space;
3. Infectious diseases- purulent cystitis, spondylitis, epiduritis;
4. Curvature of the spine- scoliosis, kyphosis;
5. Various injuries- vertebral fractures, sprains, dislocations;
6. Psychogenic disorders.Pain in this case occurs due to a disturbance in brain activity (for example, after a stroke);
7. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract- for example, intestinal obstruction;
8. Diseases of the pelvic organs- inflammation of appendages or ovaries, sexually transmitted diseases in an advanced stage.

Women are probably familiar with lower back pain caused by physiological processes, such as menstruation.

Pregnant women also complain of discomfort - the increased load on the spine is felt by periodic pain, which intensifies as the due date approaches.

Manifestations of pain in the lower back

Pain in the lower back can manifest itself in different ways.Painful sensations are classified according to their intensity and frequency.Aching pain that lasts for a long time is called lumbago.

A sudden, acute pain that occurs in a relatively short period of time is lumbago.Pain can be repeated, occur from time to time - for example, after heavy physical exertion or excessive work.

Pain that occurs in the sacrolumbar region due to mechanical stress has the following symptoms:

1. It occurs most often in the afternoon, after intense training or other unusual physical activity.Unpleasant sensations completely disappear after proper rest.Pain of this nature is observed in middle-aged and elderly people;
2. On the contrary, inflammatory pain occurs more acutely in the first half of the day.They often decrease or disappear completely after physical activity or taking pain medication.Characteristic of young people.

The localization of the pain also depends on the structure of the existing injuries:

• Local pain in the lower back occurs after damage to certain parts of the spine.Painful sensations are usually not too pronounced, they are constant, and by changing the position of the body, the pain can increase or disappear;
• Pain caused by inflammation of internal organs (reflex).The deep pain is constant and can spread to the area of the pelvis and hip joints;
• Irritation of the root of the spinal nerve causes severe pain that can spread around the periphery, all the way to the toes;
• Pain caused by abdominal muscle spasms (fibromyalgia) is characterized by pain, spasms.

If the patient feels a sharp acute pain in the spine, under no circumstances should you self-medicate and postpone a visit to the doctor.

Diagnostics

What to do if your lower back hurts?Depending on the cause of the complaints, the patient may need to consult with one or more doctors:

• Therapist- if acute appendicitis is suspected;
• A surgeon- if you suspect existing inflammatory processes in the internal organs and intestinal obstruction.The doctor carefully palpates the abdominal cavity to detect dense, painful areas and does a general blood test;
• Rheumatologist- to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis.The doctor takes into account the specific symptoms of the disease, prescribes an X-ray or magnetic resonance and examines a general blood test;
• A neurologist- if you suspect myositis or osteochondrosis.The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound examination, a general blood test and electromyography (a method that allows you to assess the degree of muscle damage);
• Dermatologist- for skin lesions caused by the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.The doctor diagnoses after a visual examination of the damaged area of the skin and a bacterial culture;
• Traumatologist- if there were bruises or spinal injuries.The diagnosis is made after ultrasound or computed tomography;
• Orthopedist- for scoliosis, kyphosis and congenital anomalies of the spinal column.The diagnosis is usually made in adolescence;
• specialist in infectious diseases- if brucellosis is suspected.To detect pathogens, a general blood test and bacteriological culture are performed;
• Nephrologist- for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis.When establishing a diagnosis, the results of a general blood test, urinalysis, ultrasound and urography (examination of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract) are taken into account.

Because there are many causes of low back pain, it can be difficult for a doctor to make a diagnosis based on a single test or study.

Most often, an integrated approach is practiced, including several types of diagnostic procedures, each of which has certain requirements:

1. X-ray imagesthe lumbar part of the spine should be worked in direct and lateral projection.In rare cases, examination in the flexed position may be necessary;
2. Computed tomography methodit is considered more effective because it allows you to see existing hernias and spinal injuries.This study is rarely performed because the patient receives a high dose of X-ray radiation;
3. MRI(magnetic resonance) accurately shows the state of the intervertebral discs, processes and joint tissue.It is carried out in combination with a doctor's examination and other diagnostic procedures;
4. Radioisotope scanningit is performed to detect malignant tumors.The method involves the introduction of radioisotopes into the blood.After some time, the substance is localized in the tumor area, the focus is detected using a special scanner;
5. Densitometry— allows you to detect changes in the bone tissue of the spine, which indicates the presence of osteoporosis at an early stage;
6. General blood testit is performed to diagnose inflammatory processes that cause pain in the lower back.With its help, a number of serious diseases can be identified in time.

Modern diagnostic methods allow you to quickly and accurately determine the cause of pain in the lower back.

It is important to describe the existing symptoms of the disease to the doctor in detail and accurately, not forgetting to mention existing injuries, congenital pathologies and previous diseases (if any).

Treatment

Back pain in the lumbar region - how to treat?If discomfort occurs after a bruise or sprain, cold will help relieve the condition.This will not only reduce pain, but also prevent swelling.

Minimizing the load on the spine and taking any of the available pain relievers is also recommended.If you suspect a serious injury - a fracture or sprain - call an ambulance immediately.

Drug treatment

Severe pain in the lumbar region requires the use of drugs and therapeutic exercises.Medicines are given in several ways:

• Subcutaneous injections (injections in places where the pain is localized);
• Taking medicines in the form of tablets;
• Rubbing into the skin ointments, gels and solutions for pain relief.

Treatment should be supplemented with gymnastics (if the pain is not related to injuries) and diagnosis of the disease that caused the pain in the lower back.

Physiotherapy treatment

This treatment is prescribed after the pain has been relieved by medication.Physiotherapy procedures activate tissue metabolism, accelerate tissue regeneration and stop further destruction of bone and joint tissue.

The list of procedures is as follows:

1. Electrophoresis.Allows rapid delivery of medical solution to areas of pain.The procedure looks like this: cotton pads soaked in a medicine solution are applied to the lower back.Special plates that emit electric discharges are attached to the top.Under the influence of the impulse, the solution penetrates the area of inflammation;
2. Ultrasound treatment.Sound waves of a special range stimulate blood circulation in the sacrolumbar region.Damaged areas receive maximum nutrients and molecular oxygen.The result of the procedures is increased metabolism and relief of the patient's condition;
3. Laser therapy.This method is used to treat destructive changes in the spine.Radiation in the infrared range activates blood flow to the cartilage and joints, promotes the removal of waste and toxins from the body;
4. Magnetotherapy.Under the influence of magnetic waves, blood circulation is stimulated in the damaged parts of the spine, pain is reduced or completely disappears.

Physiotherapy will be effective only in combination with drug treatment, so the procedures must be agreed with the attending physician.

Traditional methods of treatment

In order to get rid of pain in the lower back, traditional healers offer many recipes based on medicinal plants.You can often find recommendations to increase the amount of liquid you drink - all kinds of decoctions help to remove waste and toxins from the body that arise as a result of inflammatory processes.

Many medicinal plants contain biologically active substances that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic effects.

Medicinal decoctions, poultices and ointments can be used to relieve pain in the lower back.Here are some popular recipes:

• Cover cranberry leaves, calendula flowers and St. John's wort with boiling water in equal proportions and leave for half an hour.Drink the infusion during the day in small portions;
• Dried pomegranate, juniper and blueberries (a small handful of each type of berry) are placed in a thermos and filled with boiling water.Take half a glass half an hour before eating;
• Dissolve 2 spoons of pharmaceutical alcohol and 100 grams of petroleum jelly in one hundred grams of honey and use as a compress before going to bed.

It is important to remember that treatment with traditional methods is only suitable for minor lower back pain.Inflammatory processes accompanied by acute pain require treatment in hospital conditions.

A set of treatment measures is prescribed individually;the doctor selects the optimal treatment strategy depending on the cause of the low back pain, the existing symptoms and the age of the patient.

Prevention

No one is immune from lower back pain.It is completely impossible to avoid the natural wear and tear of bones and joints.However, it is quite possible to avoid serious spinal problems;it is enough to follow a few simple rules:

1. Do not neglect physical activity - hiking and swimming, exercises to strengthen the back and abdominal cavity;
2. If possible, avoid excessive load on the spine - do not lift too heavy objects, do not move furniture yourself, etc.;
3. Monitor your weight.Excess weight contributes to the destruction of joint and bone tissue;
4. Try to walk and sit upright.Good posture will alleviate many problems with the spine and prevent the formation of hernias and protrusions.

These simple rules will help not only to maintain the health of your spine, but also to improve your general well-being.Any symptoms of diseases related to the spine - pain, stiffness, tension - cannot be ignored.

Timely and competent treatment will help to avoid serious complications in the future.