Low back pain can be associated with a variety of reasons - for example, muscle damage, intestinal pathology, protrusion, and a herniated disc. It is impossible to determine the exact cause on your own. Therefore, in case of discomfort, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis and follow the recommendations of the doctor. In most cases, drugs and procedures are used for the treatment. But surgery may also be necessary.
Lower back hurts: the reasons
Lower back pain can be associated with the spine, muscles, nervous systems, and others. The most common reasons are:
- Traumatic injuries to the lower back or other parts of the spine.
- Damage to muscle tissue or severe tension.
- Hernia, protuberance.
- 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, drunkenness.
- Pathologies of the excretory system - renal failure, pyelonephritis, cystitis, kidney stones, ureters.
- Diseases of the uterus - cyst, fibroids, inflammatory processes.
What to do if you have lower back pain
It is impossible to reliably determine the source of pain at home. Therefore, in case of foreign sensations, it is recommended to consult a doctor. If diagnosed early, treatment will be effective and quick. You should contact these specialists:
- Surgeon or traumatologist - if the pain is associated with recent herbs, including sports or household herbs.
- Neurologist - painful sensations of a sharp, pulling character. May be accompanied by problems of sensitivity in the legs, loss of mobility. Symptoms such as goosebumps on the surface of the abdomen or on the legs are also seen.
- Gastroenterologist - long pain pulling mainly on one side of the lumbar region. Also, the sensations can be painful, accompanied by too frequent or difficult urination.
- Gynecologist - in this case, pain is observed both on one side and on both sides. In addition, they are accompanied by weakness, which is aggravated during walking and running, during menstruation and also during pregnancy.
In rare cases, when the cause of the pain is objectively clear, don't worry. So, if foreign 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 of an acute nature, it is necessary to make an appointment as soon as possible and undergo a diagnosis.
Low back pain: diagnosis
Diagnoses are prescribed by a doctor after examination, review of complaints and medical history. The need for a specific procedure depends on the symptoms accompanying the pain:
- X-ray of the spine - hernias, protuberances, back injuries, posture problems.
- MRI of the lower back - for hernias, curvatures, injuries, as well as suspected tumors.
- CT scan of the lower back - the same indications as with MRI.
- Ultrasound - suspicion of pathology of the intestines and other organs located in the abdominal cavity.
- Colonoscopy, gastroscopy - these studies are carried out when there is a suspicion of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the doctor not only examines the organs, but may also take a sample of tissue (biopsy) for further research.
- Intestinal MRI is done to take a closer look at the gastrointestinal tract to confirm or verify a diagnosis already made.
Processing methods
The methods, duration and treatment regimen are determined by the doctor depending on the diagnosis. In most cases, drugs are indicated, for example nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also possible to attend massage sessions, perform 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.
Prevention of back pain
Low back pain can be associated with working conditions and lifestyle. The main physical activity is located in the lumbar region. This is especially dangerous when you are constantly lifting weights, sustaining sports or household injuries.
In prevention, it is recommended:
- Regular exercise.
- If the work is related to physical labor, learn how to lift weights correctly and not to overload the back.
- If labor is associated with a long stay in a sitting position, get up regularly, walk, change posture.
- Avoid hypothermia of the back, dress appropriately for the weather.
- Keep your back straight while sitting and during the posture.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Don't abuse alcohol, tobacco, or other bad habits.
If the pains return often enough, and more so 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 worth adjusting the lifestyle, if necessary, changing jobs.