Back ache

Pain, lumbago, constant heaviness, do you know such sensations in the back?

Harmless pulling pain is often a sign of a dangerous disease. In the article we will analyze all the causes of the disease.

Causes

1. Diseases of the spine and pelvic bones.

• Osteochondrosis (damage to the intervertebral discs (protrusion, herniated disc);
• Spondylitis (an inflammatory disease of the spine);
• Spondylarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the intervertebral joints);
• Spondylosis (bone growth);
• Spondylitis (inflammation of the intervertebral joints);
• Myositis (inflammation of the muscles);
• Osteoprosis (decrease in bone density) with compression fractures of the vertebrae and other bone structures;
• Injury of the spine and pelvic bones (fractures, cracks);
• Sacroiliitis (inflammation of the sacroiliac joints);
• Tumors of bone structures and soft tissues.

2. Pain reflected in the lumbar spine,associated with diseases of the abdominal and pelvic organs (inflammatory diseases and tumors), these pains are often accompanied by abdominal pain.

The nature of the painmay be different:

• Acute is pain that comes on quickly, suddenly;
• Chronic - pain for more than 2 months occurs with the progression of diseases of the spine;
• With inflammatory pathologies of the genitourinary system, abdominal organs (with chronic gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, enterocolitis).

Pain intensity

From discomfort to intense pain.

In the event of acute and intense abdominal pain radiating to the lumbar spine, surgical pathology requiring urgent surgical intervention (gastrointestinal bleeding, appendicitis, peritonitis, etc. ) must always be excluded.

Severe pain in the lumbar spine

This can be reflex (muscle spasm caused by irritation of the receptors in the paravertebral muscles). It hurts a person to cough, sneeze, all movements are accompanied by pain. When the nerve root is compressed (disc protrusion, herniated disc), the pain spreads to the lower limbs, often to one side.

Myofascial syndrome

It is caused by irritation of pain receptors in the muscles and fascia. There is formation of triggers (painful nodes) in the muscles, the pain syndrome is chronic, often recurring.

Any trauma to soft tissues or bone structures is also accompanied by severe pain.

When to see a doctor: Any case of pain in the lumbar spine requires a visit to a doctor to help diagnose the cause of the pain and take action.

Pain in men, women

With diseases of the reproductive system, the pain syndrome differs in men and women.

For men with pathology of the prostate, pulling and aching pain is characteristic, often accompanied by a violation of urination. In women, the symptom is often acute, pronounced. With ovarian apoplexy or ectopic pregnancy, the pain is unbearable. Usually the syndrome is more intense on the affected side.

With endometriosis, uterine myoma - painful sensations, tightness. If the pain is associated with a pathology of the spine, the intensity of pain does not depend on gender. We notice that the men go to the doctor later.

Diagnostic

Examination by specialists

• vertebroneurologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• neurosurgeon;
• surgeon;
• gynecologist;
• urologist;
• rheumatologist;
• oncologist.

Laboratory methods

• general blood test (to exclude the inflammatory process, the level of leukocytes, ESR), exclusion of anemia (hemoglobin level);
• general urinalysis: exclusion of the inflammatory process in the bladder, kidneys (bacteria, leukocytes, erythrocytes);
• stool analysis for occult blood;
• blood biochemistry: rheumatology tests to rule out systemic inflammation (CRP, RF, uric acid), assessment of liver function (alt as bilirubin), assessment of renal function (creatinine urea), pancreatic function (amylase), etc.

Methods of instrumental research

• x-ray of the lumbar spine and pelvic bones; standard x-ray of the abdominal cavity (excluding intestinal obstruction);
• Ultrasound of abdominal and pelvic organs;
• FGDS;
• colonoscopy;
• MRI (CT) of the lumbar spine, MRI (CT) of the lumbar spine with contrast;
• MRI (CT) of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis, MRI (CT) of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis with contrast.

Treatment

When a tumor is detected, depending on the location and nature of the tumor, treatment, surgical or other tactics are determined (observation and treatment in neurosurgery, surgical hospital, oncological dispensary).

Medical treatment

Diseases of the spine (more often as part of osteochondrosis):

• NSAIDs;
• muscle relaxants;
• opioid pain relievers;
• diuretic drugs;
• vascular drugs;
• antibacterial drugs;
• medical and medical blockade with novocaine, lidocaine and diprospan.

Non-drug methods

They are mainly used in the treatment of diseases of the spine:

• physiotherapy (magnetic laser, magnetotherapy, CMT with novocaine, etc. );
• acupuncture;
• physical traction of the lumbar spine;
• manual therapy;
• massage;
• balneotherapy (mud applications, ozokerite);
• Exercise therapy.

Prevention of diseases of the spine (as part of osteochondrosis) all of the above methods (except physiotherapy).

Prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: diet, diet, work and rest.

If you have lower back pain, go to the clinic.

The hospital has all the specialists and diagnostic methods presented in this article. There are also hospitalization services: a gastroenterology service and a city vertebrological center. All methods of treatment are used, except surgery. You can be followed, examined and treated on an outpatient basis, that is to say outside the hospital.