Back pain in the lumbar region

Any pain is a signal of problems in the body.Back pain occurs as a symptom of a reflection of diseases of internal systems and individual organs, especially in degenerative-dystrophic changes in the musculoskeletal system.Lower back pain can be a reason to visit a neurologist, orthopedist, vertebrologist, gastroenterologist, urologist and gynecologist.

Pain of pain - discord

In addition to injury-related injuries, possible causes of lower back pain can also include the following diseases:

• spine;
• internal organs of the pelvis and gastrointestinal tract;
• Muscles.

Lower back pain varies greatly in severity and duration, it can be:

• sharp and painful;
• permanent or periodic;
• localized at one point, for example, right or left, or moving, when the pain is the result of a projection of the pathology of the peritoneal and pelvic organs.

What could it be?

To make a diagnosis, you need to determine the nature, location and frequency of pain, measure the temperature (high temperatures indicate the presence of inflammation and / or infection), analyze the accompanying symptoms of the disease (vomiting, tongue mucosa, diarrhea, redness or rash on the skin) and consult a doctor.

Note!The higher the temperature, the more likely it is that the cause of the pain is infectious, for example in herpes zoster, which is characterized by belt-like pain in the lower back and characteristic rashes.

After a conversation with the patient and his external examination to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may, if necessary, prescribe blood and urine tests, as well as:

• computed tomography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• Ultrasound examination of internal organs;
• Roentgen.

1. Spinal problems

Spinal problems, characterized by chronic lower back pain, are accompanied by limited mobility for several hours to several weeks and a lack of temperature rise.The best known lumbar pain syndromes are:

• Radiculitis- Damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord, often of an inflammatory nature.Suffer mainly from the strands formed by the roots, which are located between the vertebrae.In most cases there is no acute onset.May be a secondary symptom of another disease, such as:B. osteochondrosis or spinal tuberculosis;
• lumbago (lumbago)- an attack of sudden and acute pain when lifting heavy objects, with awkward movement or hypothermia.Accompanied by stiffness and constant tension in the lower back muscles over a long period of time.In addition to osteochondrosis, it can also be a consequence of several diseases, for example, disc displacement in the lumbar region;
• Sciatica (inflammation, compression of the sciatic nerve).Paroxysmal lower back pain often shifts to the sacrum and the back of the legs.In women, it can be a result of chronic inflammation of the limbs.

Note!When the nerve roots of the spinal cord are damaged, pain can spread from the lower back to the legs, one or both, accompanied by numbness and tingling.

The most common conditions that cause back pain are:

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis, which is manifested by loosening of the cartilage and bone tissue of the joints with the participation of nerves in the pathogenesis and pain caused by pinching of the nerve roots originating from the spinal cord.
2. Spondylosis- dystrophic change (gradual thinning) of the lumbar vertebrae, ligaments weaken and bone growth occurs, as a result of which the spinal canal narrows.As a result, the bone growths begin to compress the nerve roots, resulting in aching pain that may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs.May cause vertebral displacement.Displacement of the vertebrae and discs in the lumbar region can lead to pathology of the underlying vertebrae and impair the function of the rectum and bladder.
3. Ankylosing spondylitisAffects the intervertebral joints, which are responsible for the mobility of the spine, or synovial joints.It is manifested by pain in the joints and spine, eye damage, growths in the connective tissue of the spinal joints, stiffness and complete loss of mobility in the lumbar joints.
4. projection(bulging of the intervertebral cartilage without violating its integrity) and then herniated disc (bulging with violation of the integrity of the cartilage, compression of the nerve roots), which leads to loss of joint function.Lower back pain can radiate to the legs.
5. Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)Due to chronic inflammation, compression of the nerves and spinal cord can occur.The disease is accompanied by pain and spasms in the back that occur after long walking and spinal claudication syndrome.The pain decreases when sitting or lying down, but increases again when physical activity is resumed.
6. Scoliosis (curvature of the spine).In complicated cases, pain in the lumbar region may occur with a protective spasm of the back muscles against the background of spinal osteochondrosis with a herniated disc in the lumbar region.

Good to know!In the event of a vertebral displacement, it is important to determine the cause of the problem: as a result of an injury or as a result of degenerative processes.In the second case, regular adjustment of the vertebrae with the help of a chiropractor can aggravate the situation and lead to the final destruction of the vertebral processes and pinched nerves.

Lower back pain can be caused by non-infectious chronic inflammation of the joints involving ligaments, muscles and spinal cartilage due to autoimmune processes.

2. Infections, myositis, tumors

The lower back is the most massive part of the spine and is subject to the highest loads.Inflammatory processes in this area are accompanied by bone pain, fatigue, headaches, limited mobility and fever.

Can be caused by infectious diseases of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, epidural abscess, etc.);

Acute cramp-like pain in the lower back when bending occurs when stretching or inflammation (myositis) of muscles and ligaments due to hypothermia and excessive physical exertion.They appear suddenly and remain at rest;They can spread to the sacrum and back of the legs, making it difficult to bend and turn from side to side.

Lower back pain can also be the result of a tumor on the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve fibers or in the retroperitoneal space.

3. Problems of internal organs

Pathologies of internal organs are often manifested by lumbar pain of a belt-like nature, which indicates extensive damage to nerve fibers.

Among the main diseases of the internal organs characterized by pain in the lower back:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Pain in the lower back is acute, often belt-shaped, and/or in the upper abdomen.Possible repeated vomiting, diarrhea, coating on the tongue, decreased blood pressure;
• other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction or inflammation, ulcerative colitis).In appendicitis with an atypical course, excruciating pain in the lower back may be accompanied by one-time vomiting;
• inflammatory kidney diseases.Pain in the lower back is excruciating, aching – with inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), sharp, spasmodic – with renal colic (due to the movement of a stone from the renal pelvis to the ureter).With lumbar pain, frequent urination is an additional sign of kidney or bladder disease.The urine is cloudy, sometimes mixed with blood.Possible fever, weakness, chills, headache, swelling, difficulty urinating;
• Inflammation of the reproductive system.It hurts in the lower abdomen (with inflammation of the appendages in women), in the anus (with prostatitis in men) and radiates to the lower back.The pain is accompanied by general intoxication (weakness, headache, fever) and spotting (in women).

In addition, adhesions (scars) that have formed after operations can cause pain that radiates to the lumbar spine as well as circulatory disorders in the spinal cord (can lead to a stroke) or metabolism (gout).

Lower back pain and pregnancy

Pregnancy worsens the manifestations of diseases in the mother's body.Due to changes in hormonal levels and increased stress, pathologies are especially common in the second half of pregnancy.In addition to the pain associated with the threat of premature birth, the cause of lower back pain in a pregnant woman can be:

• herniated disc;
• radiculitis;
• pancreatitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• Urolithiasis (kidney stones).

Lower back pain can indicate problems with the spine and can also be a symptom of a urological, gynecological or gastroenterological disease.They most commonly occur when the spinal nerves are irritated and nerve roots are pinched.In order not to aggravate the situation, make 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.