Sudden onset, sharp, painful or dull, radiating to the legs, pain in the lumbar region, the cause of which can not always be immediately determined, may indicate the development of various diseases. Only an experienced physician will be able to understand exactly what caused the pain syndrome, examine the clinical picture, patient complaints, as well as the results of ultrasound, X-ray or MRI examinations and tests. But often, even before going to the doctor, a person should know in advance what his condition is related to.
The main causes of low back pain
First of all, all causes of back pain can be divided into two main types:
- Primary (pain associated exactly with pathology of the spinal column, intervertebral discs, muscle tissue, or joints).
- Secondary (pain occurs with pathologies of internal organs and is given in the lower part of the spine, as well as due to infectious diseases in the body, the development of tumors).
The main causes of back pain
Today bipedalism is called the cause of all diseases of the spine. The load on the spinal column increases dramatically when the body is upright, especially on the lower back - the waist, which shrinks faster.
The main causes of back pain are:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Degenerative changes in the spine cause severe pain, inflammation, swelling in the affected area, difficulty moving. The characteristic changes in the cartilage tissue of the spinal discs and the bodies of the spine themselves often cause the nerve to stretch, which is manifested by severe pain.
- Spondyloarthritis. This pathology affects the joint tissue in the region of the spinal column. In addition to joint pain, a person with spondyloarthritis may develop strong stiffness of movements when it is impossible to straighten or rotate.
Low back pain caused by osteochondrosis or spondyloarthritis requires urgent medical attention and, of course, urgent treatment.
Secondary lumbar pain
Numerous diseases that are not related to pathological processes in the spine can cause unpleasant pain in the back.
There are secondary causes of low back pain such as:
- Curvature of the spinal column (scoliosis, lordosis, etc. );
- Infections of various origins affecting the intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, etc. );
- Urinary tract infections and flu consequences;
- Inflammatory processes in the genital area;
- Gastrointestinal diseases (appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, intestinal colic);
- Kidney disease;
- Oncological diseases localized in the lumbar region;
- Excess weight;
- Osteoporosis, acute rheumatism, chronic arthritis;
- Long standing or sitting;
- Muscle spasm;
- Nervous tension, stress.
Diseases of the internal organs have their own clear symptoms, which are reflected only in the lower back.
Low back pain occurs in both women and men
The structure of the female body is prone to the appearance of heaviness and pain in the lumbar region. This is due to a hormonal background: the menstrual cycle, menopause, and pregnancy affect the lumbar region because the reproductive organs are located in the immediate vicinity. Gynecological diseases (inflammation of the appendages and uterus) cause irradiated lumbar pain in women.
Similarly, in men prostatitis and inflammation of the epididymis cause pain. It happens that men periodically experience back pain during constant work in the cold in a scratch, or if the work is associated with weight lifting. Such causes of back pain require preventive measures: it is necessary to warm the spine and wear a special corset.
Muscle clamps
Separately I want to look at a moment like muscle spasm that often becomes the cause of low back pain. Persistent lack of physical activity leads to the fact that the spinal muscles are weak and can not withstand prolonged or increased load. Therefore, working on the legs or in a motionless sitting position causes excessive strain on the spinal muscles and pain.
Stress has the same effect when muscle tension arises as a result of emotions of fear or anger. This will lead to spasms and pain if not eliminated in time.
Accompanying symptoms
Low back pain, which is caused by a spinal cord injury, is most often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- The discomfort can cover not only the back but also the buttocks and lower extremities;
- Movement can be very difficult or completely impossible;
- The affected area is usually inflamed and swollen.
Any of these symptoms require medical attention from a neurologist. If there are other accompanying symptoms, then it is best to contact a therapist who will determine the causes of the back pain and then refer you to a specialist or prescribe treatment.