Sudden, acute, aching or dull pain in the lower back, the cause of which is not always immediately identifiable, can indicate the development of various diseases.Only an experienced doctor can accurately understand the cause of the pain syndrome by studying the clinical picture, patient complaints, as well as the results of ultrasound, X-ray or MRI studies and tests.But often, even before seeing a doctor, a person wants to know in advance what caused his condition.
Main cause of low back pain
First of all, all causes of lower back pain can be divided into two main categories:
- Primary (pain that is specifically related to pathology of the spine, intervertebral discs, muscle tissue or joints).
- Secondary (pain occurs due to pathology of internal organs and spreads to the lower back, as well as due to infectious diseases in the body, due to the development of tumors).
Main cause of low back pain
Today, walking upright is considered the cause of all spinal problems.The load on the spine increases greatly when the body is in an upright position, especially in the lower part - the waist, which wears out faster.
The main causes of low back pain are:
- Osteonecrosis 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 vertebral disc and the vertebral body itself often cause nerve compression, manifesting as acute pain.
- Inflammation of the spine.This pathology affects joint tissue in the spine area.In addition to joint pain, people with osteoarthritis of the spine may experience severe stiffness when moving, unable to stand straight or turn.
Lower back pain, caused by osteoarthritis or spondylosis, requires urgent, immediate consultation with a doctor and, of course, immediate treatment.
Secondary low back pain
A large number of diseases 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 spine (scoliosis, scoliosis, etc.);
- infections of various origins affecting the intervertebral disc (tuberculosis, etc.);
- urinary system infections and the effects of influenza;
- inflammatory process in the genital area;
- diseases of the digestive tract (appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, abdominal pain);
- kidney disease;
- cancer localized in the paralumbar region;
- overweight;
- osteoporosis, acute rheumatism, chronic arthritis;
- standing or sitting for long periods of time;
- muscle spasms;
- nervous tension, tension.
Visceral diseases have clear symptoms, only manifesting in the lower back.
Causes of lower back pain in women and men
The structure of the female body leads to a feeling of heaviness and pain in the lumbar region.This is due to hormone levels: the menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy affect the lumbar region, since the reproductive organs are located very close to each other.Gynecological diseases (inflammation of the adnexa and uterus) cause widespread pain in the lower back in women.
Similarly, prostatitis and epididymitis also cause pain in men.It happens that men often experience back pain when working continuously in the cold in drafty conditions or if the job requires lifting heavy objects.Such causes of lower back pain require prevention: you need to insulate your back and wear a special corset.
Muscle clamp
Separately, I want to focus on such a moment as muscle spasms, which are often the cause of lower back pain.The lack of constant physical activity leads to weak back muscles and the inability to withstand prolonged or increased loads.Therefore, working with your feet or in a fixed sitting position will cause your back muscles to overstretch and cause pain.
Stress leads to similar results when muscle tension occurs due to emotions of fear or anger.This is followed by spasms and pain if not removed promptly.
Related symptoms
Lower back pain, caused by spinal damage, is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Discomfort affects not only the back, but also spreads to the buttocks and lower limbs;
- Movement may be very difficult or completely impossible;
- The affected area is often inflamed and swollen.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should seek medical help from a neurologist.If there are other accompanying symptoms, it is better to consult a therapist who will determine the cause of lower back pain and then refer you to a specialist or prescribe treatment.