Sudden, sharp, aching or dull pain in the lower back, the causes of which cannot always be determined immediately, may indicate the development of various diseases.Only an experienced doctor can understand what exactly caused the pain syndrome by studying the clinical picture, the patient's complaints, as well as the results of ultrasound, X-ray or MRI studies and examinations.But often, even before going to the doctor, a person wants to know in advance what causes his condition.
Main causes of low back pain
First of all, all causes of lower back pain can be divided into two main types:
- Primary (pain is specifically associated with pathology 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, growth of tumors).
Primary causes of low back pain
Today, walking upright is called the cause of all spinal problems.The load on the spine increases a lot with the upright position of the body, especially in the lower part - the lumbar, which wears out faster.
The main main causes of low 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 vertebral discs and the vertebral bodies themselves often cause pinched nerves, which manifest as sharp pain.
- Spondyloarthritis.This pathology affects the joint tissue in the region of the spine.In addition to joint pain, a person with ankylosing spondylitis may experience severe stiffness in movement when it is impossible to straighten or turn.
Back pain, the cause of which is osteochondrosis or spondyloarthritis, requires urgent, immediate consultation with a doctor and, of course, immediate treatment.
Secondary low back pain
A huge number of diseases that are not related to pathological processes in the spine can cause unpleasant pain in the back area.
There are secondary causes of low back pain such as:
- curvature of the spine (scoliosis, lordosis, etc.);
- infections of various origins affecting the intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, etc.);
- urinary tract infections and effects of the flu.
- inflammatory processes in the genital area.
- gastrointestinal diseases (appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, intestinal colic).
- kidney disease;
- oncological diseases located in the paralumbar region.
- overweight;
- osteoporosis, acute rheumatism, chronic arthritis.
- long periods of standing or sitting.
- muscle spasm;
- nervous tension, anxiety.
Diseases of internal organs have their own strong 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 weight and pain in the lumbar region.This is due to hormonal levels: the menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy affect the lumbar region, since the reproductive organs are in close proximity.Gynecological diseases (inflammation of the appendages and uterus) cause radiating pain in the lower back in women.
Similarly, prostatitis and inflammation of the epididymis cause pain in men.It happens that men periodically experience back pain when they work continuously in the cold in draft conditions or if the work involves lifting heavy objects.Such causes of lower back pain require preventive measures: you need to insulate your back and wear a special corset.
Muscle sphincters
Separately, I would like to dwell on such a moment as muscle spasms, which are often the cause of pain in the lower back.The constant lack of physical activity leads to the fact that the back muscles are weak and cannot withstand prolonged or increased loads.Therefore, working on your feet or in a fixed sitting position causes back muscle strain and pain.
Anxiety leads to the same result when muscle tension occurs as a result of feelings of fear or anger.Spasm and pain follow if not eliminated in time.
Accompanying symptoms
Lower back pain, the causes of which lie in the damage to the spine, is most often 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 appear, you should seek medical help from a neurologist.If there are other accompanying symptoms, then it is best to consult a therapist who will determine the causes of lower back pain and then refer you to a qualified specialist or prescribe treatment.