Back pain is a common problem not only among the elderly, but also among young people.Unpleasant pain appears due to sudden movements, lifting heavy weights and many other careless movements.However, prolonged pain may indicate the presence of a possible disease that requires treatment.
Causes of discomfort symptoms
According to statistics, about half of the adult population complains of back pain.However, not everyone turns to a highly qualified specialist for help.Since the elasticity of the muscles and intervertebral discs decreases significantly over time, serious spinal injuries can occur.
In addition, back pain often occurs due to excessive physical activity:
- Lifting heavy weights regularly;
- Jump;
- It falls;
- Sudden movements during exercise.
Recently, adolescents, students and young people who lead a sedentary lifestyle often complain of back pain.One of the most common causes of back tension is poor and irregular posture.Unfortunately, today deformed postures can also be observed in adolescents, which are the result of excessive workload in schools.
Additionally, due to inflammation, swelling, and possible nerve compression, people often experience discomfort.If your back really hurts, you simply cannot do without a visit to the doctor.Of course, you can try to correct the situation yourself at home using folk remedies, safe ointments, compresses or therapeutic massage.However, do not forget that self-medication rarely leads to positive final results.Also, the reasons for the appearance of various symptoms may indicate a serious disease.
Symptoms that indicate the presence of the disease
In addition to pain in the back, as well as in the muscles of the back and neck, other unpleasant sensations may appear.If pain occurs during tension during strenuous physical activity or episodic pain occurs in a calm state, you need to pay attention to the duration of symptoms.If the discomfort does not disappear within 3-5 days, a visit to the doctor is necessary.
In addition, following a serious illness, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Increased body temperature;
- Nausea;
- Dizziness;
- Vomit;
- Diarrhea,
- Excessive or painful urination;
- Severe pain during menstruation in women;
- Swelling of the arms, legs, numbness of the lower limbs.
If at least one of the symptoms listed above is present, along with pain in the spine, urgent hospitalization is required.Prolonged pain can cause serious complications, such as difficulty moving limbs, shock, confusion, etc.
The first thing to do
Before the specialist arrives, you can, at home, provide yourself with auxiliary measures to relieve pain.
To do this, it is recommended to reduce physical activity.Try to move as little as possible, do not rush, walk slowly, smoothly, without sudden movements.
The second method is a warm compress.Many experts advise against heating the painful areas during the first two days.Taking a warm bath or making a compress (heated salt, alcoholic solutions), you can relieve your discomfort.One of the safest options is painkillers.
You should not choose too strong analgesic or antispasmodic tablets, especially before the doctor arrives.Since during palpation the sensitivity may decrease and the diagnosis of the disease will be made incorrectly.
Worsening pain can be triggered by stress.
Therefore, experts recommend being as nervous as possible and, for preventive purposes, drinking soothing herbal teas:
- mint;
- Melissa;
- Valerian and other sedative plants.
Visit a doctor
What can a doctor do if a patient constantly experiences very severe pain?The first thing is to find out the reason that causes pain in the muscles or joints of the back.This will help determine the presence of serious diseases.If complications are detected, the specialist should refer to a neurologist, rheumatologist and orthopedist.If there is no such need, the therapist prescribes the necessary medicine, which should include antispasmodics or local anesthetics.He also prescribes physiotherapy and massage.
Diagnostics
In addition to palpation performed by a therapist, it is necessary to undergo an examination that allows you to reliably determine the causes of pain, as well as check the presence or absence of a particular disease.
Diagnosis of joints and back includes:
- MRI;
- Ultrasound.
During ultrasound diagnostics or computed tomography, various types of tumors can be detected, indicating possible inflammation and even cancer.Swelling, growths, damage to bones and muscles are detected through research, since palpation makes it almost impossible to identify new growths that have appeared.Therefore, an experienced specialist will certainly refer his patient for an instrumental examination.
There are often cases when discomfort in the back or joints indicates the presence of a possible disease of a nearby organ.
For example, very often people seek treatment for back muscles, while the pain is the result of inflammation in the kidneys.
Pain may also indicate diseases of the following organs:
- Intestines;
- Ovaries (in women), prostate (in men);
- Kidneys;
- Liver.
Therefore, in order not to once again violate the body's immunity with unnecessary drugs and treatments, a comprehensive examination is necessary.
Prevention of severe pain
In addition to treatment, especially for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, prevention is necessary.The first thing you should constantly pay attention to is posture.Try to monitor your posture, because with correct posture, the load on the muscles and intervertebral discs is significantly reduced.The second is lifting a heavy load.This is especially true for women.
You should not lift weights under any circumstances, as in addition to injuries to the back and spine, this can cause a hernia.If weight lifting is mandatory, try to keep your back straight and your knees bent.
If you are in a permanent sitting position, it is necessary to organize the workplace so that it complies with all workplace safety regulations.Don't forget that the distance between the monitor and your eyes must be at least 15 cm, and the screen itself must be positioned so that your head is in a straight position.You should use a chair or armchair that supports your back, preferably with head support.
Try doing some exercises.Today on the Internet you can find many examples of exercises for the back muscles, which help to relax and at the same time “wake up” the cartilage and muscles of the spine.
Remember that any joint or muscle pain requires treatment.If you feel stiffness for more than five days, home treatment will not be enough and you risk ignoring a serious illness.