About 80 percent of adults have back pain, and if you have a problem, know that you are not alone. This can be corrected. The key is to understand the origin of pain, but there can be many factors. We have compiled the main causes of back pain that can lead to back problems. How to get rid of the disease? There are ways.
Back pain can appear at any age and in any physical training. Thus, there is a dull, persistent, or intermittent pain, and there is a sudden sharp attack, after which it is difficult for a person to move. The pain may appear suddenly due to heavy lifting, may develop with age as a result of a change in the spine or an accident. A sedentary lifestyle is also an important cause of back pain. Especially when the daily routine is not diluted with physical activity (exercise, swimming pool, fitness, yoga).
In most cases, back pain is acute and short-lived or less severe, but lasts from a few days to a few weeks. In such cases, a person still does not lose the ability to function, to move in daily life and to serve himself.
Subacute pain is pain that lasts after an acute period and lasts between 4 and 12 weeks. If the pain still persists after this period, it is called chronic. Sometimes treatment can help relieve chronic back pain. However, in some cases, the pain persists despite medical and surgical treatment.
Thus, the causes of back pain, which are often related to age and are associated with abrasion or mechanical pain in the spine, joints, discs and bones:
1. Twists
This can cause severe back pain. Stretching occurs due to the wrong turning or lifting of something. Both due to heavy lifting or excessive stretching. These conditions can cause spasms in the back muscles that cause pain.
2. Intervertebral disc wear
It is one of the most common causes of back pain. The manifestation of this is the loss of disk integrity, cracks appear. A young and healthy rear disc allows the lower part to bend, twist and bend. However, over the years, the elasticity of the discs decreases and they lose their cushioning ability.
3. Hernia
Lifting a heavy load, poor posture, accident, sports injury, etc. may appear due to. There is fluid in the center of the lumbar disc; can occur for a variety of reasons and can irritate a nearby nerve root. There are many nerve fibers in the disc wall, and tearing the wall can cause severe pain.
4. Radiculopathy
This condition is caused by compression, inflammation and / or damage to the spinal cord. In addition, pressure on a nerve root results in pain, numbness, or tingling sensations that spread to other parts of the body. Problems can occur if the central spinal canal narrows or the hernia compresses the nerve root.
5. Sciatica
Compression of the sciatic nerve passing through the legs and extending to the back of the foot. This compression is associated with shock or burning pain in the lower back, as well as pain in the thighs. Also, in exceptional cases, when a nerve is squeezed between the disc and the adjacent bone, a person may experience numbness and severe weakness in the legs. By the way, this condition occurs due to a tumor or cyst that presses on the sciatic nerve or its roots.
6. Spinal stenosis
In this condition, in addition to back pain, a person may feel numbness or weakness in the legs while walking. Both with loss of sensitivity.
7. Scoliosis and other skeletal diseases
People generally do not have specific problems with curvature of the spine until middle age.
Low back pain is often not associated with serious medical conditions. But in order to have time to see a doctor in time, you still need to be aware of their presence. Defeating the diseases listed below is possible only with medical help. This is:
1. Infections
These are not causes of back pain, but can affect the spine (osteomyelitis), intervertebral discs (discs) or sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis).
2. Tumors
Sometimes a tumor appears on the back (and of course there will be pain and other symptoms at certain stages), but in most cases these are metastases that have spread to other parts of the body due to cancer.
3. Cauda equina syndrome
A disease that is sometimes accompanied by a ruptured disc. This is because the disc material is pressed into the spinal canal and compresses the bundle of spinal and sacral nerve roots. A person with this disease may have urinary and intestinal problems.
4. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
This occurs when an abnormally dilated large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. In addition, low back pain may be an indication that the aorta is enlarged and at risk of rupture.
5. Kidney stones
Stones can cause severe pain in the lower back (usually on one side).
Other factors and causes that can cause back pain:
- Inflammatory diseases of the joints.For example, arthritis, spondylitis, vertebral inflammation.
- Osteoporosis.It is a bone disease that can lead to spinal fractures, accompanied by a decrease in bone density and strengthening.
- Endometriosis.Gynecological disease that may be accompanied by pelvic and back pain.
- Fibromyalgia.It is accompanied by pain syndrome, muscle aches and fatigue. This is chronic.
What to do with back pain?
First of all, you need to understand the causes of pain. What can help one disease does not (and perhaps does not aggravate) another. In some cases, emergency hospitalization is required. Therefore, make sure that you listen to the body's signals and, if necessary, consult a doctor or take appropriate measures.
Ways to Fight Back Pain:
1. You can rest your back after a while
Many back problems can be solved (or alleviated) by avoiding strenuous activities. However, it is not recommended to rest for more than a few days, as too long inactivity can complicate treatment.
2. Limited activity
This means staying active, but avoiding actions and relationships that increase pain. For example, if sitting in a car or at a table for a long time makes the pain worse, then set a timer every 20 minutes to stand, walk slowly, or lie down. Minimizing activities and positions that make pain worse will help prevent and alleviate painful cramps and speed up the healing process.
3. Cold / heat treatment
Hot baths, heating pads, body wraps are suitable for relaxing tense muscles and improving blood flow. If your back pain is related to inflammation, you can try applying ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling. It is important to protect the skin during procedures to prevent tissue damage.
4. Pain medications
The most common prescription drugs are anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve back pain caused by swollen nerves or muscles. Both can help with analgesics in some cases. B vitamins, muscle relaxants, various gels and ointments are effective.
5. Physiotherapy
Generally part of the treatment of low back pain. Tightening is good: the more active your muscles are, the better your back can move without injury. It is recommended to start small - stretch the back, lumbar, thigh, leg muscles for 20-30 seconds and stop stretching if it hurts.
You also need to strengthen the muscles that support your back in the abdomen, thighs and lower back. Low-impact aerobic exercise increases blood flow and helps heal injuries without concussions. For example, you can exercise, walk and swim on stationary bikes and elliptical trainers.
In fact, any exercise that keeps the heart healthy for a long time is good for the body. Regular physical activity is important to maintain freedom of movement and elasticity of a healthy back.