Low back pain can be associated with a variety of causes, such as muscle damage, intestinal disease, protrusion, and vertebral disc herniation. It is impossible to determine the exact cause alone. Therefore, in case of discomfort, diagnose and follow your doctor's recommendations. In most cases, medications and procedures are used for treatment. But surgery may also be needed.
Pain in the lower back: causes
Lower back pain can be associated with the spine, muscles, nervous system, and other systems. The most common reasons are:
- Traumatic injuries of the lumbar or other parts of the spine.
- Muscle tissue damage or severe tension.
- Hernia, protrusion.
- Curvature.
- Neuropathy
- Inflammatory processes in vertebral tissues.
- Pinched nerve.
- Pathologies of the intestines, stomach, liver, and other digestive organs (in this case, the pain was also given to the lumbar region).
- Poisoning, intoxication.
- Pathologies of the excretory system - renal failure, pyelonephritis, cystitis, kidney stones, ureter.
- Uterine diseases - cysts, fibroids, inflammatory processes.
What to do if your back hurts?
It is impossible to reliably determine the source of pain at home. Therefore, in case of foreign feelings, it is recommended to consult a doctor. If diagnosed in time, treatment will be successful and rapid. You should contact the following professionals:
- Surgeon or traumatologist - if the pain is associated with recent herbs, including sports or household herbs.
- Neurologist - acute, shot-like painful feelings. It may be accompanied by sensitivity problems in the legs, loss of mobility. Symptoms such as goose bumps on the abdominal surface or legs can also be observed.
- Gastroenterologist - long pulling pain, especially on one side of the lumbar region. In addition, feelings can be painful, accompanied by too frequent or difficult urination.
- Gynecologist - in this case, the pain can be observed from one or two sides. They are also associated with weakness and worsen during walking and running, menstruation, and pregnancy.
In rare cases, when the cause of the pain is objectively clear, you don’t have to worry. So, if foreign feelings are associated with a long stay in a position, physical activity, it is not necessary to consult a doctor. But if the pain does not go away for several days or is acute in nature, an appointment should be made as soon as possible and a diagnosis made.
Lower back pain: diagnosis
The diagnosis is prescribed by a doctor after examination, complaints, and a medical history. The need for a special procedure depends on the symptoms that accompany the pain:
- Spinal hernia - hernias, protrusions, back injuries, posture problems.
- MRI of the lower back - in case of suspicion of hernia, curvature, injuries and neoplasm.
- CT scan of the lower back - same indications as with MRI.
- Ultrasound - suspected pathology of the intestines and other organs in the abdominal cavity.
- Colonoscopy, gastroscopy - these examinations are performed in case of suspicion of gastrointestinal diseases. In this case, the doctor will not only examine the organs, but may also take a tissue sample (biopsy) for further research.
- Intestinal MRI is performed to examine the gastrointestinal tract more thoroughly in order to confirm or verify a previously established diagnosis.
Treatment methods
The methods, duration, and treatment regimen will be determined by the physician depending on the diagnosis. In most cases, medication is prescribed, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also possible to participate in massage sessions and conduct physiotherapy procedures.
If the diagnosis involves only surgical treatment, surgery is performed. This is required, for example, in the presence of hernia, peptic ulcer and other pathologies.
Prevention of back pain
Low back pain can be related to working conditions and lifestyle. The lumbar region falls into the main physical activity. This is especially dangerous if you are constantly lifting weights, suffering from sports or household injuries.
Recommended for prevention:
- Regular exercise.
- If the work is related to physical work, learn how to lift weights properly and not overload your back.
- If the work involves a long stay in a sitting position, get up regularly, walk, change your posture.
- Avoid back hypothermia, dress for the weather.
- Keep your back straight while sitting and posturing.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Do not abuse alcohol, smoking or other bad habits.
If the pain is frequent and even more acute, you should see a doctor immediately. It is important to understand that treatment often lasts for several months, especially if it recovers after surgery. In this case, you may want to adjust your lifestyle and, if necessary, change your workplace.