Sudden, acute, aching or dull pain in the lower back, the causes of which cannot always be immediately clarified, can indicate the development of various diseases.Only an experienced doctor can understand the exact cause of the pain syndrome by studying the clinical picture, the patient's complaints, as well as the results of ultrasound, X-ray or MRI examinations and tests.But you often want to know what the cause of your illness is before you visit the doctor.
Main causes of pain in the lumbar region
First of all, all causes of lower back pain can be divided into two main types:
- Primary (pain is associated, in particular, with pathologies of the spine, intervertebral discs, muscle tissue or joints).
- Secondary (pain occurs due to pathologies of internal organs and radiates to the lower back, as well as due to infectious diseases in the body, the development of tumors).
Main causes of back pain
Today, upright walking is said to be the cause of all spinal problems.The load on the spine increases significantly when the posture is upright, especially in the lower area - the lumbar spine, which wears out more quickly.
The main causes of lower back pain are:
- Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.Degenerative changes in the spine cause acute pain, inflammation, swelling in the affected area and difficulty moving.Characteristic changes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs and the vertebral bodies themselves often cause pinched nerves, which manifest themselves in acute pain.
- Spondyloarthrosis.This pathology affects the joint tissue in the spine area.In addition to pain in the joints, a person with spondyloarthrosis may experience severe stiffness of movement, making it impossible to sit up or turn.
Pain in the lower back, the cause of which is osteochondrosis or spondyloarthrosis, requires urgent, immediate consultation with a doctor and, of course, immediate treatment.
Secondary pain in the lumbar region
A variety of diseases that are not accompanied by pathological processes in the spine can cause unpleasant pain in the back area.
There are secondary causes of lower back pain such as:
- curvature of the spine (scoliosis, lordosis, etc.);
- Infections of various origins affecting intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, etc.);
- Urinary system infections and effects of flu;
- inflammatory processes in the genital area;
- gastrointestinal diseases (appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, intestinal colic);
- kidney disease;
- oncological diseases localized in the paralumbar area;
- obesity;
- osteoporosis, acute rheumatism, chronic arthritis;
- standing or sitting for long periods of time;
- muscle cramp;
- nervous tension, stress.
Diseases of internal organs have their own vivid symptoms, which are reflected only in the lower back.
Causes of lower back pain in women and men
The structure of the female body predisposes to the appearance of heaviness and pain in the lumbar region.This is due to hormonal levels: the menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy affect the lumbar spine, since the reproductive organs are in close proximity.Gynecological diseases (inflammation of the limbs and uterus) cause radiating pain in the lower back in women.
Prostatitis and inflammation of the epididymis also cause pain in men.It happens that men regularly suffer from back pain when they constantly work in the cold and drafts or have to lift heavy objects.Such causes of back pain require preventive measures: you need to insulate your back and wear a special corset.
Muscle clamps
Separately, I would like to touch on such a moment as muscle spasms, which are often the cause of lower back pain.A constant lack of physical activity leads to the fact that the back muscles are weakened and cannot withstand prolonged or increased loads.Therefore, working on your feet or while sitting stationary leads to overuse of the back muscles and pain.
Stress leads to the same result when muscle tension occurs due to feelings of fear or anger.Cramps and pain follow if these are not eliminated in time.
Accompanying symptoms
Lower back pain caused by damage to the spine is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- unpleasant sensations can affect not only the back, but also spread to the buttocks and lower limbs;
- Movement can be very difficult or completely impossible;
- The affected area usually becomes inflamed and swollen.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should see a neurologist.If there are other accompanying symptoms, it is better to see a therapist who will determine the causes of the lower back pain and then refer you to a specialist or prescribe treatment.