Backache

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.

Not specific (main). This type of pain is directly related to problems in the spine and surrounding tissues.

Causes of back pain associated with the spine:

• Scoliosis. Violation of posture, leading to gradual curvature of the spine, displacement of the vertebrae and muscle tension.
• Osteochondrosis. The reason for the development of this disease is a decrease in the depreciation capacity of the spine: damage to the intervertebral disc, rupture of the fibrous ring and, consequently, violation of the nucleus of the disc. The sensation of pain is localized in the area of that part of the spine, where there are pathological changes. Thus, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, back pain is localized in the thoracic region (back pain between the shoulder blades and below the ribs), with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, a person experiences pain in the lumbar region.
• Intervertebral hernia. Due to damage to the intervertebral disc, the soft structure of the vertebrae stands out with the possibility of violation (normal hernia and choking). The pain is localized at the site of the hernia.
• Ankylosing spondylitis. It is characterized by back pain and limited mobility in the spine, which leads to a forced "bent forward" position in the patient.
• Osteomyelitis. The cause of this disease is an infectious process that has developed in the spine. The patient feels that the pain not only covers the spine, but also the back muscles.
• Spinal cord injuries. In this case, the cause of the back pain is the 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 part of the spine affected.

In 40-50% of cases, the cause of back pain is damage to the joints and ligaments of the spine (skeletal pain). Another 3-5% of severe back pain is associated with damage to the spinal cord roots (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 ache along the entire length of the spine. The important thing is that peak pain occurs when you press on a particular place.
• Polymiositis. Hypothermia can trigger the disease. As a result of the progression of the disease, the patient feels muscle weakness and pain, which increases when trying to make turns.
• Rheumatic polymialgia. The etiology of the disease is unclear. Infectious diseases that lower immunity can serve as a trigger. It is indicated by pain that increases with the progression of the disease, capable of covering all parts of the back. Severe back pain impairs mobility so that the patient is unable to move freely. A clear asymmetry is visualized in the back.
• Charcot's disease. Symptoms are caused by inflammation of the peripheral nerves along the spinal column. As a result of pathological processes, in addition to relatively intense pain, there is a change in a person's gait.

In 50-60% of cases of nonspecific back pain, their localization is in the muscle.

Specific (secondary pain). This type of pain, despite its localization in the back, often has no direct relationship to the disease of the spine or the surrounding muscular skeleton. The causes of certain pain are very diverse, but the most dangerous are oncological diseases. So, pain that radiates to the back can be caused by a malignant neoplasm in the area of the mammary gland, lungs or prostate, which gives rise to spinal metastases.

Diseases that cause certain pain include:

• Nerve roots are pinched in the chest. Often this leads to the development of intercostal neuralgia. The pain in this case is localized at the pinch site. Thus, intercostal neuralgia can manifest: pain under the shoulder blades, pain in the back below the ribs (next to where the pinching occurs). The pain has different levels - from aching to sharp, shooting. Often, pain syndrome occurs when moving or pressing on the affected area. This fact is the main difference between intercostal neuralgia and heart and lung disease, 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 it can also pass to the left side of the body. Most pain is localized in the lumbar and sacro-lumbar regions. Sufficiently strong pain sensations are pathological features associated with manifestations of diseases of the pancreas, colonic diverticulum, intestinal obstruction, retrocecal appendicitis, etc.
• Ulcerative foci. Ulcerative lesions of the organs of the upper abdominal cavity (peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach) can manifest themselves in the form of pain in the thoracic and lower lumbar back. If the lower part of the abdominal cavity is affected (ulcerative colitis), the pain is localized in the lumbar region. The severity of the pain may vary, but its peak often reaches at night.
• Appendix. In acute appendicitis, in cases where the appendix (appendix) is located behind the caecum, the back is sore in the lumbar region. The pain is variable and can vary from aching, mild to sharp, intense.
• Kidney disease. Often they are indicated by pain in the lumbar region. Such manifestations are characteristic of pyelonephritis and chronic glomerulonephritis. Differentiation from pathologies that have a direct relationship with the spinal column occurs based on analysis of other clinical manifestations and research results.
• Urolithiasis. With renal colic, back pain in the lumbar region. The pain is pronounced, intense, occurs suddenly and does not depend on body position. Back pain in the lower back and with staghorn nephrolitiasis. The manifestation of pain syndrome is low intensity, the pain is quite painful.
• Diseases of the female reproductive system and menstrual cramps. In this case, the pain is more often localized in the lower back.
• Neoplasms in the pulmonary system. In this case, the pain appears at a stage when the lungs undergo the proliferation of peripheral tumor elements (metastases) to the pleural area and chest wall. The nature of the pain is intense, debilitating.
• Heart disease. The most common causes of pain in the back of the thorax are myocardial infarction and stroke. As a rule, the disease is accompanied by pain between the shoulder blades.
• Inflammatory processes in the joints. Infectious arthritis can cause pain radiating from the affected joint to nearby areas, including back pain.

For the most part, the causes of the manifestation of pain in the back are the same for both sexes, but it is necessary to highlight several diseases that differ in sexual orientation.

back pain in men

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

These predisposing factors include:

• work involving lifting and carrying heavy loads;
• power sports (including various martial arts, power lifting, etc. );
• bad habits.

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

The specific "male" diseases that can cause back pain are a variety of prostate pathologies.

Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland. At the onset of the disease, the pain syndrome is localized in the groin, scrotum and lower abdomen, but in the second stage and in cases where the disease has become chronic, the pain spreads to the back.

The localization of pain in this case can either be concentrated in the lumbosacral area or spread throughout the back. This is due to the fact that the inflammatory process affects the nerve endings, which envelop these organs in large numbers.

Pain intensity is directly related to the stage of the disease. So, in the acute phase, pain is characterized as acute and short -term. In the chronic form, the pain syndrome is less pronounced and is often permanent.

Diagnosis and treatment in this case is carried out by a urologist.

back pain in women

In some cases, back pain in women may be of a specific nature that is associated with body features and the processes that take place in it. First of all, we are talking about the reproductive sphere.

As a rule, pain associated with gynecological diseases is localized in the thoracic and lumbosacral regions. The most common reasons include:

1. Menstrual cycle. During the menstrual period, the background of female hormones changes, which leads to the emergence of several negative manifestations. This is mainly due to a decrease in progesterone levels, which is responsible for the intensity of the pain threshold. Reducing the pain threshold leads to the fact that even small pain sensations become more pronounced. Also, hormonal changes lead to irritation of the intestinal wall and fluid retention, which causes an increase in some organs in volume and, consequently, compression of the nerve endings of the lumbar spine. The combination of these factors leads to the occurrence of back pain.
2. Pregnancy. Lower back pain in this case can be divided into two groups: First trimester pain. If the painful sensation is accompanied by additional symptoms (bleeding, fever, etc. ), we can talk about the risk of miscarriage. Pain in the second half of pregnancy. Often, such pain is associated with physiological changes, namely: the active growth of the fetus, which provokes a change of the center of gravity in the position of the body, and the preparation of the pelvis for the next labor activity.
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 organs. The most common causes of manifestations of this pain syndrome are ovarian cysts, adnexitis, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, etc.
4. Menopause. During menopause, strong changes and fluctuations in hormone levels occur. Such body restructuring leaves an impact on many female body systems. First of all, the skeletal system suffers, which, under the influence of hormonal changes, becomes more fragile and prone to various diseases.
5. Big chest. The large breast size, combined with unsupported panties, puts an additional burden on the spine, and, as a result, the woman suffers from back pain in the shoulder blades and lower back.
6. Heels. Wearing shoes with high heels leads to the development of several 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, often pain between the shoulder blades or below it is a manifestation of inflammation that has developed in the lung tissue. Depending on which lung is more affected, the patient will feel pain under the left or right shoulder blade.

In addition to damage to lung tissue, there is general intoxication of the body and an increase in temperature, which can also cause pain (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 decline in immunity, chronic diseases, including internal organs and musculoskeletal system, become more severe.

Back pain after sleep

Reasons why your back hurts after sleep can be:

• work related to physical activity and weightlifting;
• low back muscle tone;
• intervertebral hernia and osteochondrosis in history;
• prolonged posterior hypothermia;
• curvature of the spine, which leads to muscle tension and uneven contraction;
• overweight, resulting in increased load on the back;
• stressful situations;
• uncomfortable bed.

Unpleasant sensations can have different intensities and appear under the ribs, in the lower back, between the shoulder blades and below.

To eliminate the 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 call?

The primary diagnosis of pain in the back area is carried out by a general practitioner. If necessary, some additional examinations and highly specialized expert consultations can be arranged:

• neurologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• gynecologist;
• urologist;
• pulmonologist.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis of the patient's condition. For this purpose, the doctor may prescribe some additional studies:

• Lab test. Often, this list includes general and biochemical blood tests, urinalysis, stool and, in some cases, analysis of hormone levels. This study helps identify possible inflammatory and infectious processes. If you suspect some disease or oncological component, your doctor may prescribe some specific studies (biopsies, 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 commonly prescribed radiography, MRI, ultrasound.

Treatment of back pain

For the purpose of qualified treatment, internal consultation of a specialist is necessary. Therapy is chosen strictly based on the diagnosis and taking into account the general condition of the patient. Self -treatment for back pain can lead to disease progression or to a transition to a chronic stage.

Prevention of back pain

The main preventive measures depend primarily on what is actually causing the appearance of back pain. General recommendations include:

• healthy lifestyle;
• complete and healthy nutrition;
• a reasonable dose for physical activity;
• timely treatment of identified diseases;
• common routes of preventive examination, including by narrow profile specialists.