Back pain is one of the most common health problems. We want to let you know the cause of the incident and teach you what to do when your back hurts.
There is probably no person like this in the world who has never had back pain at least once in his life. Back pain can be dull and persistent, or can be sudden and sudden, forcing you to measure every movement. It can start abruptly if you fall or lift something that is too heavy, or walk slowly, making it impossible for you to lead a satisfying life.
Factors that increase the risk of back pain
Anyone is immune to back pain, but there are some factors that increase the risk of back pain:
- Age.Your back hurts more often as you get older. Back pain usually occurs for the first time in the 30s and 40s.
- Poor physical condition.Back pain is more common in people who are inactive and have an inactive lifestyle.
- Overweight.A diet high in calories and fat can make you gain weight. Too much pressure puts pressure on the spine, causing pain.
- Descendants.There are hereditary diseases, one of which is back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
- Other diseases.Certain types of arthritis and cancer can also cause back pain.
- Your job.If your work always requires serious physical exertion, weight lifting, or you have to spend several hours in an uncomfortable position - the result may be back pain. If you work at your desk all day without sitting up straight, your back will also hurt.
- Smoking.If you smoke, your body will not be able to get enough of the nutrients it needs for your bones, resulting in gradual loss of strength and flexibility of the spine. Smoker's cough can also cause back pain.
What is the reason?
There are many causes of back pain. Sometimes pain can be caused by mechanical causes such as:
- Back muscle spasms.
- Spinal cramps.
- Stretching muscles.
- Tearing the disc.
- Falling from a height.
- Spinal fractures.
Back pain can manifest itself as one of the symptoms of certain diseases and conditions, such as:
- Scoliosis of the spine.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Arthritis.
- Stenosis.
- Pregnancy.
- Kidney stones.
- Infection.
- Endometriosis.
- Fibromyalgia.
Other causes that may cause back pain are infections, swelling, or stress.
How to prevent back pain?
The best thing you can do to prevent back pain:
- Exercise regularly to strengthen the back muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight. To have strong bones, you must get enough calcium and vitamin D every day.
- Maintain proper body posture, do not bend or bend over.
- Avoid weight lifting. If you can not do without lifting weights, do it right: bend the legs and straight back, place the load on the middle of the body, and not on the sides, and press the load to the body, and do not carry it with the arms outstretched. While lowering a heavy object, keep your back straight, squat down, and then lose weight. You need to get up after this manipulation slowly and carefully, because after transferring the weight, the spine is vulnerable.
When to see a doctor?
You must see a doctor if you have:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Progressive severe pain and fire resistance to any treatment.
- Pain occurs after a fall or injury.
Pain is accompanied by one of the following symptoms:
- Urinary problems.
- Weaknesses.
- Numbness in the legs.
- Fever.
- Lose weight while not on a diet.
What diagnostic methods are used during back pain?
To diagnose back pain, your doctor will ask you in detail about the course and nature of the pain and make an examination. After the exam, he will order another test, such as:
- Radiography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Computed tomography (CT).
- Blood test.
Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. Often, the cause of back pain remains unclear.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts no more than 6 weeks. This is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain can be caused by things like falling while playing football or lifting heavy objects. Chronic pain lasts more than 3 months and is less common than acute pain.
How to heal?
Treatment for back pain depends on the type of pain you are experiencing. Acute back pain usually goes away without treatment, but you can take painkillers to get rid of the pain. Exercise and surgery are not commonly used to treat acute back pain.
Here are some treatments for chronic back pain:
Hot or cold compress (or both)
Hot or cold compresses can soothe pain and relieve tension in the back. Heat can reduce muscle cramps. The flu helps reduce swelling, swelling, and sensitivity. Using hot or cold compresses can reduce pain, but this treatment will not address the underlying cause of chronic back pain.
Special training
Proper exercise can help relieve chronic pain, but should not be used for acute back pain. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you determine which exercises are best for your condition.
Medicine
Here are the main medications used for back pain:
- Pain medication.
- Creams and ointments that relieve pain are applied to the skin on the site of pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can reduce pain and swelling. NSAIDs include brand drugs. Your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs.
- Muscle relaxation and some antidepressants can help with some types of chronic back pain, but these are very individual.
Behavior change
Learn to lift heavy objects properly to reduce tension in your back. Making lifestyle changes: Eating healthy, quitting smoking, buying quality orthopedic mattresses, and swimming can all help reduce back pain.
Injection
Your doctor may recommend steroid injections or topical pain medications to help relieve pain.
Alternative Treatment
Some unconventional therapies work well. The most common method is:
- Manual therapy.Chiropractors have techniques to help relieve long-term chronic back pain. However, keep in mind that even if your doctor is a magician, and can get rid of the pain in a few sessions, it is necessary to seriously strengthen the back muscles so that the pain does not return.
- Acupuncture.Chinese medicine uses fine needles to relieve pain and restore health. Acupuncture can be effective when used as part of a comprehensive back pain treatment plan.
- Acupressure.Therapists put pressure on certain parts of the body to relieve pain. The effectiveness of acupressure for back pain is not well understood.
Surgical Treatment
Most people with chronic back pain do not need surgery. This is usually the last resort and is used if other treatments are not successful. Operation may be required if you have:
- Disk drive.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Vertebral fractures.
- Fractures can be caused by a blow to the back or destruction of bones due to osteoporosis.
- Degenerative disc disease.
With age, intervertebral discs can begin to rupture and cause severe pain.
Rarely, when back pain is caused by a tumor, infection, or nerve root problem called cauda equina syndrome, surgery is needed immediately to relieve the pain and prevent new problems.