It often happens that the patient goes to the doctor to find out why the back hurts in the lumbar region. Very often such a pain syndrome is encountered by those who spend a lot of time in their summer cottage, their own garden. Constantly repairing the house and sparing no effort in the field, people thereby compromise their health. A day or two of hard work, and now it's not possible to straighten up without excruciating pain. However, in some cases, pain indicates the presence of other pathologies. To determine the appropriate treatment strategy, you must first find the root cause of the pain.
Possible factors: is everything serious?
To find a good treatment for a problem, you must first identify its cause. The back in the lumbar region hurts left, right or even causes pain in the waist, if a person has impaired kidney function and health, osteochondrosis has developed and neuralgia is observed. There is a possibility of acute pancreatitis. Each described condition requires a thorough approach to treatment and it is advisable to consult a doctor. Trying to choose a course of therapy yourself, you can harm your health, the condition will become even worse. If you come to the doctor, then at the reception he will assess the symptoms, formulate a preliminary diagnosis and send it to studies that will confirm or refute the hypothesis.
Kidney pain
If the back hurts badly in the lumbar region, there is a possibility of pyelonephritis. The term refers to the formation of foci of inflammation in the organ. If the disease is non-infectious, glomerulonephritis can be diagnosed. Sometimes the pain syndrome indicates the appearance of stones in the kidneys and ducts. The processes of their generation, as well as movement, cause quite strong discomfort.
Often the disease develops against a background of hypothermia, it can be preceded by a cold. It should be noted that people who adhere to strict diets are more likely to suffer from kidney disease. In many ways, the symptoms of kidney pathologies and the condition called "tearing the back" are similar. There are a number of specific symptoms that allow you to more accurately identify the pathology. If the kidneys are sick, the sensations do not depend on the load, activity, movements. Many have a fever, the urine becomes cloudy, the color changes. Some note an increased urge to urinate, the process itself is accompanied by pain. There is a light tap with the edge of the hand near the kidneys, the area will respond with intense pain.
How to help yourself?
If the back of a man, woman or child has lower back pain, if there is reason to suspect kidney disease, it makes sense to contact the local doctor, call him atthe House. The kidneys are extremely important elements for the functioning of the human body, therefore undue risks are unacceptable. While waiting for the arrival of a specialist, you can try to smooth out the manifestations of the disease. The patient lies or sits so that he is as comfortable as possible, he is given a means of reducing the heat if the temperature exceeds 38 degrees. To alleviate the pain a little, you can take an antispasmodic drug. If the patient needs a change of position, he must be assisted. In addition, it is reasonable to monitor blood pressure and body temperature.
It happens that people are convinced that they know for sure if the back hurts in the lumbar region, what to do: you should immediately put on a warm compress or put the victim in a warm bath. In the case of kidney diseases, such procedures are strictly prohibited. Any warming will significantly aggravate the patient's condition. If a person has developed pyelonephritis, this activates the inflammatory focus. The task of the patient is to wait for the arrival of a professional. The doctor will examine the victim and recommend further actions.
Pancreatitis
If the back hurts in the lumbar region, in a man, woman, child, the cause may be pancreatitis. Pathology can be suspected if the pain encircles, while creating the feeling that it comes from the left half of the body, the region of the hypochondrium. It is possible to cover the back, abdomen - this forms rings of pain. For some, pancreatitis causes severe pain near the navel. If the pathology proceeds atypically, the patient has back pain - the lower back and a little higher. This nature of the localization of the pain syndrome often leads to an incorrect initial diagnosis.
Assuming pancreatitis, it is necessary to call a doctor. While waiting for a specialist, you will have to completely refuse food - during the inflammatory process, food can significantly aggravate the condition. The helper must help the victim to adopt a comfortable posture; as far as possible, bring comfort and tranquility to a person. You can drink a little water without additives, but consumption is only allowed in moderation. It is advisable not to leave the patient, constantly monitoring the development of the condition until the arrival of a specialist. It is believed that the pain is slightly less if you curl up in a position characteristic of the embryo.
Osteochondrosis
If the back in the lower back is very painful, then the cause is likely to be a disease of the cartilage of the joints connecting the elements of the spine. The pathological process is associated with the pinching of the nerve roots - this is what becomes the source of pain. According to doctors, the probability of developing the disease is high for any of our compatriots over 30 years old. In recent years, osteochondrosis is increasingly diagnosed in young people and is detected in adolescents.
Provoking an attack of pain can lift a heavy object, a long stay in a forced and uncomfortable position. The likelihood of developing pathology is higher if a person drives a car for a long time, sits a lot and moves little in everyday life. It is possible to suspect osteochondrosis if the pain syndrome extends to the leg, while a throbbing is felt in the lower back. If you try to move, the pain increases. This accompanies any load and a simple change in body position. Pulling, burning pain sensations are possible. It is possible to replace osteochondrosis if the buttocks and legs are characterized by reduced sensitivity, and if a stable posture is maintained for a long time, it becomes difficult to change it. For many, the thermoregulation of the limbs is disturbed, the legs sweat profusely, and the feeling of cold is disturbing.
Features of the case and first aid
If the back, lower back, spine hurts, while there is no temperature and the manifestations are similar to those described above, if there is no doubt that the cause ofthe pain is the spine, you can give yourself first aid by simple means. The affected area is covered with a warm woolen shawl or tied with a heated scarf, and lying on a hard, flat surface. In the absence of the effectiveness of such measures, it is possible to smear the lower back with non-hormonal ointments to smooth out the course of the inflammatory process. The doctor may prescribe systemic treatment with non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. As a rule, drugs containing meloxicam, ibuprofen are prescribed.
Do not take painkillers and anti-inflammatories on an empty stomach. The active components contained in the drugs irritate the gastric mucosa, can cause peptic ulcer, gastritis.
If there is no exact certainty that the cause of the pain is precisely in osteochondrosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a diagnosis. Unjustified self-treatment with non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs will certainly lead to a deterioration of the condition. This will be especially pronounced if the patient has pancreatic disease, a violation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Safety first
If the back hurts in the lumbar region, what to treat, the doctor will tell. You can not try to "tune" the spine, this will aggravate the pain, there is a risk of serious damage to the back. If osteochondrosis has passed into the acute phase, warming up should be avoided. Hot baths are not allowed. We will have to give up saunas and baths. Warming up initially gives a feeling of relief, but soon the pain returns with renewed vigour. If symptoms indicating osteochondrosis appear frequently, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor will refer you for an MRI. Such an image will allow you to assess the condition of the lumbar spine and determine how best to deal with the root cause of pain.
If osteochondrosis caused pain during physical exertion, while the person took an anesthetic or medication to stop inflammatory activity, then it is likely that the condition will soon improve a lot. Even if the pain is completely gone, you should not return to your previous activity. For some time rest should be given to the sick back. The best option is bed rest.
Neuralgia
There are a huge number of different manifestations of pain in the lower back - when lying on their backs, walking, bending. In some cases, the cause is an inflammatory process affecting nerve fibers. It is possible to assume neuralgia by manifestations similar to the symptoms of osteochondrosis described above. To any physical activity, the back immediately reacts with pain, even slight movement is difficult for the patient, and the need to move causes fear. There are a number of features that help suspect the exact cause of the pain and distinguish neuralgia from pinched nerve endings that provide tenderness in the spine.
With osteochondrosis, a person is subconsciously afraid to move, because the back hurts with any action. Neuralgia also has this characteristic, but the pain travels along the nerve that caused it, and the sensations themselves are described by sufferers as twitching. Perhaps unpredictable relief from the condition and the return of pain when a person is calm, still. Sometimes, against the background of neuralgia, convulsions occur, muscle pain and a change in skin tone are disturbing. In some, the work of the glands that produce sweat is disturbed. With pressure on the back, the pain immediately covers both halves of the body symmetrically.
Help Features
If you have severe back or lower back pain, only a qualified doctor will tell you what to do. The pain syndrome caused by neuralgia is quite difficult to exclude, at the same time it is necessary to take measures to improve the patient's condition, since constant pain can cause mental deviations. To relieve the pain somewhat, the doctor will prescribe non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, they prefer to dwell on drugs containing ibuprofen, meloxicam. The patient is shown at rest.
If a patient goes to the doctor because his back hurts badly, the lower back, what to do, should be decided by a qualified specialist. Depending on the specifics of the case, hospitalization may be recommended. This measure is used if the sensations are very strong. In a hospital setting, a blockage will be made to the needy with the help of novocaine.
Characteristics and pains
It also happens that a person tears his back and the lower back hurts. What to do in such a situation, the doctor will also tell you. This will depend on the severity of the damage. Sometimes rest is enough, in other cases the help of a surgeon is necessary. It is known that pain often accompanies a period of rest after a long workout or an unreasonably heavy load. The pain can be caused by awkward and unsuccessful movements. It is known that people under stress, as well as those who, due to the nature of their work, sit for a long time, especially in front of a computer, more often complain of pain. The back often hurts in those who train too actively, stand for a long time, suffer from excess weight. Low back pain almost always accompanies pregnancy and disturbs for some time after the birth of a child.
There are also situations when, in general, you do not need to know what to do: the back hurts in the lumbar region, but rather weakly, over time everything goes away on its own. If the attack is one-time, not too strong, it was preceded by an obvious causative factor (for example, prolonged work at a summer cottage), you just need to rest and wait for the pain to pass. If the pain is manifested by seizures, menstruation, prolonged marigolds, you need to consult a doctor, since it is impossible to determine on your own what causes sensations.
Reasons: primary and secondary
Primary pain is observed if there is a disease of the spine. Such a syndrome is possible if a person has developed spondylarthrosis, spondylosis. Possible hernia or protrusion. Secondary pain syndrome accompanies fractures, tumor processes, prolonged muscle tension. Such pain can be caused by diseases (kyphosis, arthritis, tuberculosis), there is a possibility of narrowing of the spinal canal, osteomyelitis and malignant process. Low back pain is possible with ovarian cysts, endometriosis. The doctor should clarify all the factors of the case, checking the patient's condition in order to know what to do. Back pain in the lumbar region in people with cystitis, in patients with scoliosis and arthrosis. Scheuermann-Mau disease can cause pain. In some women, pain indicates complications in carrying the fetus.
Whether to hurry to the doctor?
Some signs of pain indicate the need to get qualified help as soon as possible. So, if when walking the lower back reacts with pain, coughing, sneezing leads to a worsening of the sensation, while the sensations spread to the lower extremities, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist. It will also help if the lower back hurts, the sensations are dull, the back hurts, the pain spreads to the legs, it is more noticeable when coughing and moving. Such symptoms probably indicate sciatica, but a person needs the fastest help from a doctor, so you should not delay contacting the clinic.
A traumatologist can tell you what to do if you have back pain in the lower back, if the sensations arise against the background of muscle stretching or lifting something too heavy. For these reasons, in addition to pain due to hypothermia and exposure to a draft, creams that activate blood circulation should first be used for three days at home. If during this period the condition does not improve, you need to make an appointment with the doctor.
Measures and deadlines
For three days you can try to help yourself with back pain, lumbago. According to doctors who know exactly what to do if their back hurts in the lower back, such symptoms are more often experienced by those who, due to their activities, are forced to work hard. The pain usually goes away on its own a few days after exercise, although in rare severe cases it persists for weeks. To alleviate the condition, it is necessary to use painkillers, rest. It is necessary to know experimentally in which position the pain is weakest. The first two days you need to give yourself bed rest. If the sensations have not passed in three days, they are registered with a doctor.
Possible pain syndrome on the background of myositis. Such a pathological process is usually preceded by hypothermia or severe muscle tension. The area responds stiffly, the sensations are sharp, especially strong when trying to move. The doctor will also tell you what to do if your back hurts in your lower back due to this. Doctors advise first to take a hot shower, find suitable warm clothes and completely abandon all physical activity. The first three days use ointments that facilitate the inflammatory process, relieve pain. If the sensations have not calmed down, make an appointment with the doctor.
Chronic and radiating pain
About what to do if the back hurts in the lower back due to spondylosis, the doctor will tell only after a careful assessment of the patient's condition. The disease is indicated by a strong sharp pain syndrome, the lower back hurts, the legs become weak and numb. With such manifestations, you should immediately make an appointment with a neurologist.
Ankylosing spondylitis can cause pain. A possible reason is metabolic failure or oncological pathology. In any of these options it will not be possible to help yourself, you need to consult a qualified specialist and a detailed examination of the body.
It also happens that a person is sure that the pain is localized in the lumbar spine, but the real reason is the failure of the functionality of the internal organ. Radiating pain is possible if the pathology is localized in the pelvis, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Often pain gives the lower back with cancer. It is impossible to postpone a visit to the doctor if the syndrome lasts more than three days, if it was preceded by an injury, if, in addition to the lumbar region, the foot and lower leg also hurt. In the event that the pain is accompanied by numbness in the limbs, inguinal region, it is also impossible to delay contacting the clinic.
How to check?
If you have back pain in the lumbar region in the morning, this can be considered reason enough to contact a specialist. First, you can go to the local therapist. The doctor will give instructions for tests and instrumental examinations, redirect to a highly qualified doctor depending on the details of the case. The most accurate diagnosis is usually made by a neurologist. To do this, you need to get the results of MRI, ECG and ultrasound. Blood and urine samples are checked in the laboratory. In some cases, it is necessary to study the puncture of the spinal cord, if malignant diseases are suspected, tissue samples are taken for biopsy.
How will they be treated?
Many people are afraid to go to the doctor if their back hurts in the lumbar region in the morning, because they think that the doctor will immediately send them for surgery. Today there are many effective methods for the treatment of various diseases of the spine. There is a method using waves and magnetic fields. It may help to give a medicine designed to treat the joints. Rehabilitation simulators have been designed to quickly restore mobility. With severe pain and the need to stop inflammation and spasms, the doctor will make a blockade.
Drug treatment for back pain consists of taking oral and injectable medications. Often such treatment is combined with physiotherapy - this increases efficiency. Prescribe drugs to relieve swelling, relieve stiffness, eliminate the inflammatory focus. Since all these drugs have a long list of contraindications and possible side effects, self-medication with them is strictly prohibited.