Sudden, severe, painful or dull pain in the lower back, the cause of which is usually not immediately determined, may indicate the development of various diseases.Only an experienced physician can understand what exactly causes a pain syndrome by studying the clinical manifestations, the patient's complaints, and the results of ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI studies and tests.But often, even before going to the doctor, a person wants to know in advance what is causing his condition.
Main causes of low back pain
First, all causes of low back pain can be divided into two main types:
- Primary (pain specifically related to pathology of the spine, discs, muscle tissue, or joints).
- Secondary (pain occurs due to lesions of internal organs and radiates to the lower back, as well as due to the development of infectious diseases, tumors in the body).
Main causes of low back pain
Today, walking upright is known as the root of all spinal problems.When the body is upright, the load on the spine will be greatly increased, especially the lower part - the lumbar spine, which will wear out faster.
The main causes of low back pain are:
- Lumbar osteochondrosis.Degenerative changes in the spine can cause acute pain, inflammation, swelling, and difficulty moving in the affected area.Characteristic changes in the cartilage tissue of the disc and the vertebral body itself often lead to nerve compression, manifesting as acute pain.
- Spondyloarthropathy.This pathology affects joint tissue in the spinal region.In addition to joint pain, people with spondyloarthropathy may experience severe stiffness of movement and the inability to straighten or turn.
The cause of low back pain is osteochondrosis or spondyloarthropathy, which requires immediate emergency consultation with a doctor and, of course, immediate treatment.
secondary low back pain
Many conditions unrelated to pathological processes in the spine can cause back pain.
The secondary causes of low back pain are as follows:
- Curvature of the spine (scoliosis, lordosis, etc.);
- Infections of various origins affecting the intervertebral disc (tuberculosis, etc.);
- urinary tract infections and the effects of influenza;
- Inflammatory processes in the genital area;
- Gastrointestinal disorders (appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, colic);
- kidney disease;
- neoplastic diseases located in the paralumbar region;
- being overweight;
- Osteoporosis, acute rheumatism, chronic arthritis;
- standing or sitting for long periods of time;
- muscle spasms;
- Nerves, stress.
Internal disease has its own distinctive symptoms, which are only reflected in the waist.
Causes of low back pain in women and men
The structure of the female body tends to cause heaviness and pain in the lower back.This is due to hormonal levels: the menstrual cycle, menopause and pregnancy can all affect the lumbar area because the reproductive organs are so close together.Gynecological diseases (inflammation of the adnexa and uterus) can cause radiating pain in women's lower back.
Likewise, prostatitis and inflammation of the epididymis can cause pain in men.Back pain often occurs when men frequently work in cold, drafty conditions, or when their jobs involve lifting heavy objects.Such causes of lower back pain require preventive measures: you need to isolate your back and wear a special corset.
muscle clamp
Also, I want to talk about moments like muscle spasms, which are often the cause of lower back pain.Continued lack of physical activity can lead to weak back muscles that are unable to withstand prolonged or increased loads.Therefore, working on your feet or sitting in a fixed position can cause excessive tension and pain in your back muscles.
Stress can lead to the same results when muscles are tense due to emotions of fear or anger.If not eliminated in time, cramps and pain will ensue.
Related symptoms
Low back pain is caused by damage to the spine and is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- The unpleasant sensation 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 usually becomes inflamed and swollen.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help from a neurologist.If there are other accompanying symptoms, then it is better to consult a therapist who will determine the cause of the lower back pain and then refer you to a specialized specialist or prescribe a treatment plan.