Many people these days getting back pain in their life. Researchers show that 80% of the population are getting experience of back pain at some time in their lives.
Lifestyle factors often play an important cause of back pain. Sitting for a long period of time can lead to pain.
Common reasons of back pain are muscles strain, disc damage and some health problems such as ankylosing spondylitis, scoliosis and osteoporosis.
Back pain can be result from injury, accident, lifting of heavy weight luggages and some medical conditions.
It can affect people of any age group. As people getting older,the developing of back pain increases due to some factors as long- lasting sitting position, occupation and degeneration of disc damage. The bone becomes weak.
As all us know that the human back consists of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons,discs and bones that work together to support the body and help in movements.
Problems of any of these components can lead to back pain.
Causes
Back pain commonly due to strain, injury or health conditions such as tuberculosis of spine, osteoporosis etc.
It can also occurs due to a muscles spasm,strains or ligaments, tendons rupture, damage discs , injuries, fractures or falls on the floor.
Other causes
Some medical conditions can lead to back pain:
1) cancer of the spine
2) osteoporosis
3) infection of the spine
4) slip disc disorder
5) other infections are:
a) pelvic inflammatory disease
b) kidney or bladder infection may also lead to back pain
6) shingles – an infection that can affect the nerve may lead to back pain.
Symptoms
Back pain may present as muscle aches, morning stiffness, pain affected by bad postures, feeling of burning or stabbing sensations and sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and legs.
1) inflammation or swelling on the back
2) pain down to the legs
3) pain that reaches below the knees
4) persistent back pain when lying on the bed or resting doesn’t help
5) injury, trauma or feature to the back
6) urinary incontinence
7) fecal incontinence
8) numbness
9) increase the pain when lifting, bending or twisting
10) affect a specific spot in the back or spread all over the back
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of back pain is essential to get proper medical history, symptoms and carry out a physical examination.
An X-ray, MRI or CT scan can give information about the state of back pain.
Blood test is also necessary if there is a suspicion of infection.
Treatment
Treatment of back pain depends on the type and causes of pain.
It can include hot or cold pack,pain relieving medications, exercise,yoga, physical therapy, complementary and alternative therapies and even surgery.
1) Generally,pain relief medications – NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen can relieve some discomfort.
2) Applying a hot or cold pack to the painful area may also reduce pain.
3) Resting from strenuous activity can help,but moving around will ease stiffness, alleviate pain and prevent muscles from weakening.
4) Medical treatment or physical therapy or both.
A physical therapy may introduce some flexibility and strength exercises for the back and abdominal muscles.
5) Technique for improving posture may also help.
a) traction- pulleys and weights are used to stretch the back. It can also reduce the pain ,but only when traction is needed.
b) cortisone injection – it helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots.
6) Surgery- surgery for back pain is in critical condition of spine and nerve roots.
If the individual has a herniated disk, surgery may be an option, especially if there is persistent pain and nerve compression which can lead to muscle weakness.
Prevention
Prevention is the steps to lower the risk of back pain consists of some preventable factors.
1) exercise
2) diet
3) posture
4) avoid lifting of heavy weights
5) bed
So, these are the problems of back pain which can make the life uncomfortable.
Dr.S.K.jha
DocWorld 