Low back pain can be associated with a number of reasons, such as muscle damage, intestinal pathology, protrusion and herniated vertebral discs. It is impossible to determine the exact cause on your own. Therefore, if any discomfort occurs, it is necessary to undergo diagnosis and follow the doctor's recommendations. In most cases, drugs and procedures are used for treatment. But surgery may also be required.
Lower back hurts: reasons
Lower back pain can be associated with the spine, muscles, nervous system, and other systems. The most common reasons are:
- Traumatic injuries of the lower back or other parts of the spine.
- Damage to muscle tissue or severe tension.
- Hernia, protrusion.
- Curvature.
- Neuropathy
- Inflammatory processes of the vertebral tissues.
- Pinched nerve.
- Pathologies of the intestines, stomach, liver and other digestive organs (in this case, pain is also given to the lumbar region).
- Poisoning, intoxication.
- Pathologies of the excretory system - renal failure, pyelonephritis, cystitis, kidney stones, ureters.
- Diseases of the uterus - cysts, fibroids, inflammatory processes.
What to do if your lower back hurts
It is impossible to reliably determine the source of pain at home. Therefore, in case of extraneous sensations, it is recommended to consult a doctor. If diagnosed early, treatment will be effective and fast. It is necessary to contact such specialists:
- Surgeon or traumatologist - if the pain is associated with recent herbs, including sports or household herbs.
- Neurologist - painful sensations of a sharp and shooting character. It can be accompanied by sensitivity problems in the legs, loss of mobility. Symptoms such as goose bumps on the surface of the abdomen or legs are also observed.
- Gastroenterologist - prolonged traction pain mainly on one side of the lumbar region. In addition, the sensations can be painful, accompanied by too frequent or difficult urination.
- Gynecologist - in this case, pain is observed both from one and from two sides. In addition, they are accompanied by weakness, aggravated during walking and running, during menstruation and even during pregnancy.
In rare cases, when the cause of the pain is objectively clear, you shouldn't worry. So, if extraneous sensations are associated with a long stay in one 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, it is necessary to make an appointment as soon as possible and undergo a diagnosis.
Low back pain: diagnosis
Diagnostics is prescribed by a doctor after examination, examination of complaints and anamnesis. The need for a specific procedure depends on which symptoms accompany the pain:
- Spinal X-ray - hernias, protrusions, back injuries, posture problems.
- MRI of the lower back - for hernias, curvatures, injuries, and suspected malignancies.
- CT scan of the lower back - the same indications as for MRI.
- Ultrasound - suspicion of pathology of the intestine and other organs located in the abdominal cavity.
- Colonoscopy, gastroscopy - these studies are carried out in case of suspicion of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the doctor not only examines the organs, but can also take a tissue sample (biopsy) for further research.
- Intestinal MRI is done to examine the gastrointestinal tract more closely in order to confirm or verify a previously made diagnosis.
Methods of treatment
Methods, duration, treatment regimen are determined by the doctor based on the diagnosis. In most cases, drugs are indicated, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also possible to participate in massage sessions, conduct physiotherapy procedures.
If the diagnosis involves only surgical treatment, an operation is performed. This is necessary, for example, in the presence of hernias, peptic ulcer and other pathologies.
Back pain prevention
Low back pain can be associated with working conditions and lifestyle. It is on the lumbar region that the main physical activity falls. This is especially dangerous when constantly lifting weights, receiving sports or home injuries.
For prevention, it is recommended:
- Exercise regularly.
- If work is related to physical work, learn how to properly lift weights and not overload your back.
- If work is associated with a long stay in a sitting position, get up regularly, walk, change posture.
- Avoid back hypothermia, dress for the weather.
- Keep your back straight when sitting and during posture.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Don't abuse alcohol, smoking, or other bad habits.
If the pains recur quite often, and even more so they are of an acute nature, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is important to understand that treatment often lasts for several months, especially when recovering from surgery. In this case, it is worthwhile to adjust the lifestyle, if necessary, to change jobs.