The back hurts, what to do?

Back pain can occur at any age, but more frequently it occurs between 35 and 55 years.The pain in the column is associated with how our bones, muscles, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons and nerves work.

The pain in the column can be caused by problems with the vertebrae, discs between them, ligaments around the spinal column and the discs, the spinal cord and the nerves, the muscles of the back, the internal organs in the abdominal and pelvic areas.In addition, aorta diseases, chest tumors and inflammation of the column at the top of the back can be the cause of pain in the upper back.

Risk factors

The presence of risk factors increases the probability of developing a state.For example, obesity significantly increases the risk of diabetes of the second type.

The following factors are associated with an increase in the risk of back pain.

• office work;
• work associated with constant stress;
• Pregnancy: pregnant women often suffer from pain in the spine;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• age;
• depression;
• obesity/excess weight;
• smoking;
• Heavy physical exercises;
• Heavy physical work.

Signs and symptoms of back pain

The symptom is what the patient feels, while the doctor can notice the sign.For example, pain is a symptom, while an eruption is a sign.

The main symptom of pain in the spine is pain anywhere in the back.Sometimes the pain extends to the buttocks and legs or the shoulder and arms.

You must immediately communicate with your doctor if the pain in the column accompanies any of the following signs:

• Weight loss;
• high temperature (fever);
• Back pain does not relieve after rest;
• painful pain;
• pain down under the knee;
• the presence of fresh spinal injuries;
• urine incontinence (even a small portion);

• Difficulties with urine: urine is difficult;
• Fecal incontinence: loss of control over the defecation process;
• numbness in the field of genitals;
• numbness in the anus;
• Nalgae numbness.

Request the advice of a specialist if it is one of these groups:

• persons under 22 or over 55 years old;
• patients who took steroids for several months;
• cancer patients;
• patients who once had cancer;
• Patients with low immunity.

The causes of back pain

The human column is a complex structure that consists of muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and bones.The intervertebral discs are among each pair of vertebrae and function as friction shock absorbers.Problems with any of these components can cause pain in the spine.In some cases, pain causes cannot be established.

Extension

The most common causes of pain in the column are:

• stretched muscles;
• stretched ligaments;
• Raise a heavy object in the incorrect possession;
• Raise an object too heavy;
• the result of an acute and uncomfortable movement;
• Muscle spasm

Structural problems

The following structural problems can cause pain in the spine:

• Intervertebral disc proteance.The rupture of the outer sheath of the album leads to bulging its internal content outside.This can lead to pinches of the nerve and, as a result, pain;
• An intervertebral album hernia- stabbing the internal content of the large sizes disc;
• sciatica- Acute and shooting pain, which radiates to the buttock and the posterior area of the leg caused by the protuberance or hernia of the intervertebral disc, compressing the nerve;

• arthritis- Patients with osteoarthritis generally experience problems with thigh joints, lumbar column, knees and hands.In some cases, stenosis of the spinal channel may occur, since the space around the spinal cord is reduced;
• Anomalous spine curve- If the column folds unusually, the patient is more likely to suffer pain in the spine.An example of an abnormal curve is scoliosis, in which the column bends to the side;
• osteoporosis- The bones, including the vertebrae, become fragile and porous, which leads to an increase in their fragility.

Below are some other causes of pain in the spine:

• Horse tail syndrome- The horse tail is a lot of nerve roots in which the spinal cord is branched.People with horse gaze syndrome feel opaque pain in the lumbar column and buttocks.There may also be a loss of the sensitivity of the buttocks, genitals, thigh.Sometimes people with a horse tail syndrome suffer from urinary and/or feces;
• Column cancer- The tumor located in the column can squeeze the nerve, which leads to pain;
• Column infection- If the patient has a high body temperature and also has a painful hot area on the back, then this may indicate column infection;
• Other infections- The inflammation of pelvic organs in women, as well as bladder infections and kidneys can also cause back pain;
• Sleep disorders- People with sleep disorders more frequently experience pain in the spine in relation to the general population;
• herpes- Infection that can affect the nerves;
• Inappropriate mattress- If the mattress does not admit certain parts of the body and does not guarantee the uniform position of the back, there is the risk of developing pain in the spine.

In addition, the cause of pain in the column can be certain movements or body positions, such as prolonged driving, cough, etc.

What to do when your back hurts

If you experience column pain for several days, the following tips will help you reduce pain and discomfort and accelerate recovery:

• Stay active as possible;
• If necessary, use the analgesics of the co -communication;
• Use cold and hot compresses.A hot water bottle and a frozen vegetable bag will be made.

Despite the fact that it is difficult to remain an optimistic when he suffers pain, try not to discourage.This will accelerate the recovery process.

With prolonged pain in the column, which does not happen within six weeks, you must consult a doctor.The doctor will compile a medical history, perform an exam and, if necessary, will direct it to additional studies.The doctor can prescribe radiography in case of suspicion of a problem with a bone system or osteoarthritis, TC (computerized tomography) or magnetic resonance (magnetic resonance tomography) in case of suspicion of intervertebral hernia or any other problem associated with soft tissues or nerves.In such a situation, magnetic resonance is the best option.The doctor can also advise you to deliver some laboratory tests or measure the electrical activity of the nerves (EMG).

After making a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment.For most cases, there is sufficiently conservative treatment, which can include:

• special exercises;
• reflexology;
• spinal extension;
• massage.

In severe cases, the question of the operation can be raised.The surgeon will help you choose the appropriate method and also advise on possible complications.Some time after the operation, the undergraduate treatment of the spine is recommended.Remember that column operations are quite dangerous, since the operational area is immediately close to the nerves.