Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them eliminate the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers and do not try to understand why the back hurts. Such a frivolous attitude towards health can lead to the development of serious complications and lead to disability. That is why it is so important to correctly identify the cause and start treatment on time.
Types of back pain
There are many types of back pain. They differ in nature, location and symptoms. Depending on these characteristics, they are divided into different types.
strong pain
Back pain is very sharp and appears suddenly. From severe pain in a person darkens the eyes, dizziness. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. It occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, as even the strongest muscles are overloaded, leading to muscle spasm. During an attack, the patient should try to relax and then assume a supine position so that the legs are higher than the head. In order to prevent recurrences, it is necessary to seek qualified help from a specialist as soon as possible. After all, the reason why the back hurts may be a spinal hernia, osteochondrosis.
Sharp pain
Short-term pain syndrome that occurs for no apparent reason or develops gradually. It can be weak, burning, intense and dull. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasm. They occur in vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, skeletal lesions, malignant tumors. Also, an attack of acute pain can be caused by displacement of the intervertebral discs. Often this problem occurs in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the pelvis. Spinal curvature and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During an attack, it is difficult for the patient to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem that patients come to the doctor with. Chronic back pain is usually divided into recurrent and persistent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of their occurrence is related to individual human physiology, regular loads on the spine, diseases of internal organs and poor posture. Many people get used to living with a problem and doing nothing to solve it. But their condition is deteriorating, leading to a decline in living standards. The quality of life and physical activity decreases.
Displaced pain
The peculiarity of this type is the entanglement. The opposite can happen when the pain in the lumbar region radiates to the legs. When they do occur, one believes that the cause is related to spinal problems. But it's not like that. They occur due to diseases of the internal organs, give to different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys occur in the lower back. Pain in the upper lumbar region indicates liver problems. In this case, patients may experience discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that untimely removal of the cause of the problem can cause the development of complex pathologies and even lead to death.
Painful pains
The cause of the problem is related to muscle fatigue. After a good rest the pain goes away on its own. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle most often have back pain. The other reasons are not so harmless. These include: vertebral hernia, sciatica, osteochondrosis. Pathological processes lead to a decrease in the functionality of the musculoskeletal system and increase the load on the spine. They can occur during the period of rehabilitation or healing of injuries. The complexity of diagnosing back pain is related to the fact. that they can be caused by many different reasons.
Why my back hurts
Sedentary lifestyle and minimal physical activity have led to the fact that many people of all ages have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Back pain for various reasons. The main one is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. It is subject to regular stress, which leads to the appearance of pain in its various departments. Among the common provoking factors are: long stay of the spine in one position, muscle tension. Back problems due to severe illness are rare. This may be pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnosis
The examination of the patient depends on the condition and his anamnesis. The study is performed using different methods, depending on the cause of pain - vertebrogenic (cause in the spine) or non-vertebral. The disease is most often associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor will perform a visual examination of the patient, palpate and listen carefully to the patient's complaints. Clinical and instrumental studies are then performed. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without further examination. In such cases, external examination reveals degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
The reason for a more detailed diagnosis is a change in the analysis of blood, urine, stiffness of the patient in the morning.
You can obtain detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- CT. Appoint for examination of soft tissue lesions.
- Radiography. It is used to assess bone tissue, assess the condition of the spine. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance. Gives a visual picture of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligament apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Shows the degree of nerve damage, identifies damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation performed with an arthroscope.
- sonography. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathologies.
Depending on the type of back pain, the severity is chosen one or more types of diagnosis. Such a detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When to go to the doctor
Whatever the cause of the problem, you can't do it without the help of a doctor. But there are cases when you need to visit a specialist as soon as possible.
This should be done if:
- Worried about unreasonable pain;
- the pain lasts more than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is a rise in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- unexplained weight loss.
When it comes to health, one should not be frivolous. That is why it is better to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely help will help to avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Proper therapy is an important component of the patient's recovery. But before starting full treatment, one must provide first aid. It is placed on a flat hard surface, in one side position. When the attack passes, the person is helped to stand up. This should be done very carefully and slowly so as not to provoke a new attack. Once the condition improves, it is necessary to fix the inflamed back with a corset, to take an anesthetic. They then seek medical help to choose effective treatments with their doctor.
Drug treatment
The therapy is performed with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. The different forms of these drugs (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a powerful effect on the pathological process at the same time. They all have a strong side effect, so they can only be used as directed by a doctor.
Exercise and exercise
Active sports are considered the most effective in combating this disease. The complex of therapeutic exercises is chosen individually by the attending physician, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and his age. Provides effective help in stretching the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonia. But it is absolutely impossible to perform in the presence of spinal hernias and during the period of exacerbation. Yoga, swimming and post-isometric relaxation classes have a beneficial effect on back health.
Massage
The course of massage is very useful for patients with back diseases. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the whole body. Regular massage sessions improve blood flow, strengthen back muscles, improve general well-being and back condition. It can be performed only as an adjunct treatment, in the absence of contraindications for its use. Manipulations should only be performed by an experienced and qualified professional. Masseurs use Thai, classical and therapeutic massage for treatment.
Heating and cryotherapy
After the exacerbation period, patients may be prescribed warming or cryotherapy. The heating is done with the help of special ointments, heating pads, blue lamp, mustard plasters, paraffin and ozokerite applications. These procedures activate the processes of tissue regeneration and nutrition. It is not always possible to perform the procedure. For pregnant women, patients with infectious diseases, tumors and tuberculosis heating is strongly contraindicated.
Another effective therapeutic method is cryotherapy. Cold treatment normalizes metabolic processes, prevents the development of the disease. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, puffiness is reduced, blood circulation is stimulated and the oxygen supply is improved.
Prevention
The best way to fight the disease is to prevent it. To do this, you need to monitor your gait and ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to distribute the load correctly. Distribute the heavy bags so that each hand has approximately the same weight. If you have to stand a lot, then it is recommended to change the position every 10 minutes. The back helps to relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become a part of the life of every person who wants to have a healthy back.
While sitting on a chair, the body should be upright, firmly pressed against the back of the chair. It is necessary to provide support under the neck and waist. People who have to sit for a long time are advised to warm up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right height of the chair, on which, while sitting, your knees are below hip level.
Many people think that you should sleep on a hard surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case the spine will take the wrong position. The ideal option is considered to be a medical orthopedic bed aimed at relaxing the muscles. It is better to choose a pillow of medium size. Take sips every morning after sleep.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. They need to eat right, try to lose weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichokes, grapes, hazelnuts. Consumption of spicy foods is best kept to a minimum. An important place in the preventive diet is occupied by foods high in magnesium and calcium.
Self-medication is very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should be performed only by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.