Back pain is a common problem not only among the elderly, but also among the young.Unpleasant pain occurs 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 unpleasant 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.As the flexibility 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;
- Falls;
- Sudden movements during exercise.
Recently, teenagers, students and young people with a sedentary lifestyle often complain of back pain.One of the most common causes of back strain is poor, uneven posture.Unfortunately, even in adolescence, distorted posture can be observed today, which is a consequence of the excessive workload at school.
In addition, people often experience discomfort due to inflammation, swelling, and possible pinched nerves.If your back hurts a lot, you simply cannot do without a visit to the doctor.Of course, you can also try to correct the situation at home with folk remedies, safe ointments, tablets or therapeutic massage.However, do not forget that self-medication rarely leads to a positive end result.In addition, the reasons for the appearance of various symptoms may indicate a serious illness.
Symptoms indicating the presence of the disease
In addition to back pain and back and neck muscles, other discomforts may also appear.If pain occurs during tension during intense physical exertion, or episodic pain occurs in a calm state, the duration of the symptoms should be observed.If the discomfort does not go away within 3-5 days, you should consult a doctor.
In addition, as a result of a serious illness, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Increased body temperature;
- Nausea;
- Dizziness;
- Vomit;
- diarrhea,
- Excessive or painful urination;
- Severe pain during menstruation in women;
- Swelling of the arms and legs, numbness of the lower limbs.
If at least one of the above symptoms exists and spinal pain also occurs, urgent hospitalization is required.Prolonged pain can lead to serious complications such as difficulty moving limbs, shock, confusion, etc.
The first thing to do
Before the specialist arrives, you can take care of additional pain relief measures at home.
For this, it is recommended to reduce physical activity.Try to move as little as possible, don't run, walk slowly, smoothly, without sudden movements.
The second method is a hot compress.Many experts do not recommend heating the painful areas for the first two days.You can relieve discomfort with a hot bath or compress (warmed salt, alcohol solutions).One of the safest options is pain relief.
You should not choose too strong pain reliever or antispasmodic tablets, especially before the arrival of the doctor.Because during palpation, the sensitivity may decrease and the diagnosis of the disease is made incorrectly.
Worsening pain can be triggered by stress.
Therefore, experts recommend that we be as nervous as possible and drink teas made from calming herbs for prevention:
- Mint;
- Melissa;
- Valerian and other calming plants.
Doctor's visit
What can the doctor do if the patient constantly feels very severe pain?The first thing is to find out what is causing the pain in your back muscles or joints.This helps to determine the presence of serious diseases.If complications are detected, the specialist should give a referral to a neurologist, rheumatologist and orthopedist.If there is no such need, the therapist will prescribe the necessary medication, which includes anticonvulsants or local anesthetics.He also prescribes physical therapy and massage.
Diagnostics
In addition to the palpation performed by the therapist, an examination should be carried out that allows for a reliable determination of the causes of pain, as well as to check the presence or absence of a specific disease.
Joint and back diagnosis includes:
- MRI;
- Ultrasound.
During ultrasound diagnostics or computed tomography, different types of tumors can be detected, which indicate possible inflammation or even cancer.Swelling, growths, damage to bones and muscles are revealed by research, as it is almost impossible to identify the new growths that have appeared by touch.Therefore, an experienced specialist will definitely refer the patient to an instrumental examination.
There are often cases when discomfort in the back or joints indicates the presence of a possible disease in a nearby organ.
For example, very often people seek treatment for their back muscles, while the pain is the result of nephritis.
Pain can also indicate diseases of the following organs:
- Intestines;
- Ovaries (in women), prostate gland (in men);
- Kidney;
- Liver.
Therefore, in order not to damage the body's immunity again with unnecessary drugs and treatments, a comprehensive examination is required.
Prevention of severe pain
In addition to treatment, especially for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle, prevention is also necessary.The first thing you need to keep an eye on is your posture.Try to monitor your posture, because with correct posture, the load on the muscles and intervertebral discs is noticeably reduced.The second is lifting a heavy load.This is especially true for females.
Under no circumstances should you lift weights, as this can cause a hernia in addition to back and spine injuries.If you must lift weights, try to keep your back straight and your knees bent.
If you are in a permanent sitting position, the workplace must be designed in such a way that it complies with all occupational health and safety regulations.Do not forget that the distance between the monitor and your eyes should be at least 15 cm, and the screen itself should be placed so that your head is in an upright position.You should use a chair or armchair that supports your back, preferably with a headrest.
Try doing exercises.Today on the Internet you can find many examples of exercises for the back muscles that help you 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, then home treatment will not be enough, in fact, there is a risk that you will ignore a serious illness.