back pain

There are primary and secondary pain sensations, each of these types can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. In this article we will try to consider only the most basic ones.

Nonspecific (primary). This type of pain is directly related to problems in the spine and surrounding tissues.

Causes of back pain related to the spine:

• scoliosis. Violation of posture, leading to a gradual curvature of the spine, displacement of the vertebrae and muscle strain.
• osteochondrosis. The reason for the development of the disease is a decrease in the depreciative capacity of the spine: damage to the intervertebral discs, rupture of the fibrous ring and, as a result, damage to the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Pain sensations are localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe part of the spine where there are pathological changes. So, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, back pain is localized in the chest area (the back hurts between the shoulder blades and under the ribs), with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, a person has pain in the lumbar region.
• intervertebral hernia. Due to damage to the intervertebral disc, the soft structures of the vertebrae protrude with the possibility of injury (normal and strangulated hernia). The pain is localized at the site of the hernia.
• ankylosing spondylitis. It is characterized by back pain and restricted mobility of the spine, which leads to a forced "bent over posture" of the patient.
• osteomyelitis. The cause of the disease is an infectious process that has developed in the spine. The patient feels that the pain covers not only the spine, but also the muscles of the back.
• spinal injury. In this case, the cause of back pain is an injury and the complications that accompany it. The intensity of pain sensations and their localization are directly related to the type of injury and the affected part of the spine.

In 40-50% of cases, the causes of back pain are damage to the joints and ligaments of the spine (skeletal pain). Another 3-5% of severe back pain is associated with damage to the roots of the spinal cord (radicular pain).

Back pain associated with pathological changes in the muscles:

• fibromyalgia. The inflammatory process develops in the muscles surrounding the spine, is characterized by symmetry and can be chronic. In this case, the back muscles along the entire spine hurt. The important point is that tip pain occurs when you press on specific spots.
• polymyositis. Hypothermia can provoke the disease. As a result of the development of the disease, the patient feels muscle weakness and pain, which increases when trying to make a turn.
• Rheumatic polymyalgia. The etiology of the disease is not clear. Infectious diseases that reduce immunity can serve as triggers. It is manifested by pain, which increases with the development of the disease and can cover all parts of the back. Severe back pain impairs mobility so severely that the patient can no longer move independently. A clear asymmetry is visible in the back.
• Charcot disease. Symptoms are caused by inflammation in the peripheral nerves along the spine. As a result of the pathological process, along with fairly severe pain, there is a change in the person's gait.

In 50-60% of cases of non-specific back pain, its localization is in the muscles.

Specific (secondary pain). Despite its localization in the back, this type of pain often has no direct connection to diseases of the spine or the surrounding muscular skeleton. The causes of specific pain are extremely diverse, but the most dangerous are oncological diseases. Pain that radiates to the back can be caused by a malignant neoplasm in the area of the mammary glands, lungs or prostate, which provokes metastasis in the spine.

Diseases that cause specific pain include:

• Pinched nerve roots in chest. Most often this leads to the development of intercostal neuralgia. The pain in this case is localized at the site of pinching. This is how intercostal neuralgia can manifest itself: pain under the shoulder blades, pain in the back under the ribs (on the side where the pinching occurred). Pain has a different degree - from aching to sharp, shooting. Most often, the pain syndrome occurs when moving or pressing on the affected area. This fact is the main difference between intercostal neuralgia and diseases of the heart and lungs, which can also be manifested by pain under the left (or right) shoulder blade from behind.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. More often they cause pain on the right side, in some cases they can spread to the left side of the body. Most pain is localized in the lumbar and sacral regions. Sufficiently strong pain sensations are characteristic of pathologies associated with manifestations of diseases of the pancreas, colon diverticula, intestinal obstruction, retrocecal appendicitis, etc.
• ulcerative foci. Ulcerative lesions of the organs of the upper abdominal cavity (gastric and duodenal ulcer) can manifest themselves in the form of pain in the chest and lower lumbar back. When the lower part of the abdominal cavity is affected (ulcerative colitis), the pain is localized in the lumbar region. The intensity of the pain can vary, but the peak often reaches at night.
• Appendicitis. With acute appendicitis, in cases where the cecum (appendix) is located behind the cecum, the back hurts in the lumbar region. The pain is of different nature and can vary from painful, mild to sharp and intense.
• kidney diseases. Very often they are manifested by pain in the lumbar region. Such manifestations are characteristic of pyelonephritis and chronic glomerulonephritis. Distinction from pathologies directly related to the spine is made on the basis of an analysis of other clinical manifestations and research results.
• urolithiasis disease. With renal colic, the back hurts in the lumbar region. The pain is pronounced, intense, occurs suddenly and does not depend on body position. The back hurts in the lower back and with staghorn nephrolithiasis. Manifestations of pain syndrome are of low intensity, the pain is rather painful in nature.
• Diseases of the female reproductive system and menstrual pain. In these cases, the pain is more often localized in the lower back.
• Neoplasms in the pulmonary system. In this case, pain occurs at the stage when peripheral tumor elements (metastases) in the lungs germinate into the pleural region and chest wall. The nature of the pain is intense, debilitating.
• cardiovascular diseases. The most common causes of back pain localized in the chest are heart attacks and strokes. As a rule, these diseases are accompanied by pain between the shoulder blades.
• Inflammatory processes in the joints. Infectious arthritis can cause pain to radiate from the affected joint to nearby areas, including back pain.

The causes of the manifestation of back pain are largely the same for both sexes, but it is necessary to highlight a number of diseases that differ in sexual predisposition.

back pain in men

Although the causes of back pain are mostly the same in both sexes, there are a number of diseases that men are more susceptible to because of their lifestyle.

These predisposing factors include:

• work on lifting and carrying heavy loads;
• weight training (including various martial arts, powerlifting, etc. );
• Bad habits.

As a result, diseases of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems can occur more frequently in men than in women.

Specific "male" diseases that can cause back pain are various pathologies of the prostate.

Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate. At the beginning of the disease, the pain syndrome is localized in the groin, scrotum and lower abdomen, but in the second stage and in chronic disease, the pain spreads to the back.

The pain localization can either concentrate on the lumbosacral region or spread to the entire back. This is because the inflammatory process affects the nerve endings that envelop this organ in large numbers.

The intensity of pain is directly related to the stage of the disease. In the acute phase, pain is characterized as acute and short-term. In the chronic form, the pain syndrome is not very pronounced and often permanent.

In this case, the diagnosis and treatment is carried out by a urologist.

back pain in women

In some cases, back pain in women can be of a specific nature associated with the characteristics of the body and the processes occurring in it. First, let's talk about the reproductive sphere.

Pain in gynecological diseases is usually localized in the thoracic and lumbosacral areas. The most common reasons include:

1. menstrual cycle. During menstruation, the hormonal background of a woman changes, which leads to a number of negative manifestations. This is primarily due to a decrease in the level of progesterone, which is responsible for the intensity of the pain threshold. Lowering the pain threshold means that even minor pain sensations become more pronounced. Also, hormonal changes lead to irritation of the intestinal walls and fluid retention, which leads to an increase in the volume of some organs and, as a result, compression of the nerve endings of the lumbar spine. The combination of these factors provokes the appearance of back pain.
2. Pregnancy. Lower back pain in this case can be divided into two groups: First trimester pain. If painful sensations are accompanied by additional symptoms (bleeding, fever, etc. ), then we can talk about the risks of miscarriage. Pain in the second half of pregnancy. Most often, such pain is associated with physiological changes, namely: the active growth of the fetus, which provokes a change in the center of gravity in the position of the body, and the preparation of the pelvis for the upcoming labor.
3. Diseases of the reproductive system. Most of the pain is concentrated in the lumbar region, which is explained by the topography of the female reproductive system. The most common causes of this manifestation of pain syndrome are ovarian cysts, adnexitis, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, etc.
4. Menopause. During menopause, there are major changes and fluctuations in hormone levels. Such a restructuring of the body leaves traces in many systems of the female body. First of all, the skeletal system suffers, which, under the influence of hormonal changes, becomes more vulnerable and susceptible to various types of diseases.
5. Big box. The large bust size in combination with poorly supporting underwear leads to additional stress on the spine, as a result of which the woman experiences back pain in the area of the shoulder blades and lower back.
6. High heel. Wearing high-heeled shoes leads to the development of a number of diseases associated with pathological changes in the musculoskeletal system and back pain.

back pain with coronavirus

Coronavirus infection affects many organs, but the lungs are the first to suffer. Therefore, pain between the shoulder blades or below is often a manifestation of inflammation that has developed in the lung tissue. Depending on which lung is more affected, the patient feels pain under the left or right shoulder blade.

In addition to damage to the lung tissue, there is a general intoxication of the body and an increase in temperature, which can also cause pain in the back and limbs.

Back pain after coronavirus is explained by the fact that the disease can not only damage the nervous system, but against the background of a general decrease in immunity, chronic diseases, including internal organs and the musculoskeletal system, are exacerbated.

back pain after sleeping

The reasons why your back hurts after sleeping can be:

• work related to physical activity and weight lifting;
• muscle tone of the lower back;
• Intervertebral hernia and osteochondrosis in history;
• persistent hypothermia of the back;
• curvature of the spine leading to muscle strain and uneven contraction;
• Excess body weight, which leads to an increase in the load on the back;
• stressful situations;
• uncomfortable bed.

Unpleasant sensations can vary in strength and appear under the ribs, in the lower back, between the shoulder blades and below.

To eliminate pain that occurs after sleep, it is necessary to exclude all provoking factors and consult a doctor for treatment.

Back pain - which doctor should I contact?

The initial diagnosis of back pain is made by a general practitioner. If necessary, a number of additional examinations and consultation of highly specialized specialists may be prescribed:

• Neurologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• Gynecologist;
• Urologist;
• pulmonologist.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, a detailed analysis of the patient's condition is required. For these purposes, the doctor may prescribe a number of additional studies:

• laboratory tests. Most often this list includes general and biochemical blood tests, urinalysis, feces, and in some cases, an analysis of hormone levels. These examinations help to detect possible inflammatory processes and infections. If you suspect some diseases or an oncological component, the doctor can prescribe a number of specific examinations (biopsy, tumor markers, etc. ).
• hardware research. They help to get a more visual picture of the course of the disease, which cannot be achieved with visual examination and palpation. The most often prescribed radiography, MRI, ultrasound.

treatment of back pain

For the purpose of qualified treatment, internal consultation of specialists is required. The choice of therapy is strictly based on the diagnosis and taking into account the general condition of the patient. Self-treatment of back pain can lead to the progression of the disease or its transition into a chronic stage.

Prevention of back pain

The main preventive measures, first of all, depend on what exactly provoked the appearance of back pain. General recommendations include:

• healthy lifestyle;
• complete and healthy diet;
• appropriate dosage of physical activity;
• timely treatment of recognized diseases;
• regular check-ups, also by specialists with a narrow profile.