Sudden, acute, painful or dull pains 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 MR studies and tests.But often, even before going to the doctor, a person wants to know in advance what is the cause of his condition.
The main causes of lumbar pain
First of all, all causes of lower back pain can be divided into two main types:
- Primary (pain is especially associated with the pathology of the spinal column, 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, tumor development).
Primary causes of lower back pain
Today, walking upright is called the cause of all spinal problems.The load on the spinal column increases greatly with the upright position of the body, especially on the lower part - the lumbar, which wears out faster.
The main primary 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 vertebral discs and the vertebral bodies themselves often cause nerve entrapment, which manifests as acute pain.
- Spondyloarthrosis.This pathology affects the joint tissue in the area of the spinal column.In addition to pain in the joints, a person with spondyloarthrosis may feel severe stiffness of movement, when he cannot straighten 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, urgent treatment.
Secondary lumbar pain
A huge number of diseases that are not related to pathological processes in the spine can cause unpleasant pain in the back.
There are such secondary causes of lower back pain as:
- curvature of the spinal column (scoliosis, lordosis, etc.);
- infections of various origins affecting the intervertebral discs (tuberculosis, etc.);
- urinary system infections and flu effects;
- inflammatory processes in the genital area;
- gastrointestinal diseases (appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, intestinal colic);
- kidney disease;
- oncological diseases localized in the paralumbar region;
- excess weight;
- osteoporosis, acute rheumatism, chronic arthritis;
- long periods of standing or sitting;
- muscle spasm;
- nervous tension, stress.
Diseases of internal organs have their 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 region, as the reproductive organs are located in close proximity.Gynecological diseases (inflammation of 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 have back pain when they constantly work in the cold in drafty conditions or if the work involves lifting heavy objects.Such causes of lower back pain require preventive measures: you must isolate your back and wear a special corset.
Muscle clamps
Separately, I would like to dwell on such a moment as muscle spasms, which are often the cause of pain in the lower back.A constant lack of physical activity leads to the fact that the back muscles are weak and cannot withstand long-term or increased loads.Therefore, working on your feet or in a stationary sitting position causes overstrain of the back muscles and pain.
Stress leads to the same result when muscle tension occurs as a result of emotions of fear or anger.This is followed by spasm and pain if it is not removed in time.
Associated symptoms
Pain in the lower back, the causes of which lie in damage to the spine, is most often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- unpleasant sensations can affect not only the back, but also 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 better to consult a therapist who will determine the causes of pain in the lower back and then refer to a specialized specialist or prescribe treatment.