Back diseases have become significantly "younger", says a neurologist.If 30 years ago back problems were one of the indicators of age, now young people also complain about the spine.The specialist explains who should be afraid of radiculitis and what back pain should not be tolerated.
Why does my back hurt?
Back pain (dorsalgia) is the most common complaint heard by a neurologist.It is generally accepted that it is associated with spine pathology (osteochondrosis, scoliosis, etc.).In fact, this is not entirely true: back pain often indicates diseases of other organs.For example, pain in the thoracic spine can appear due to heart diseases (including acute ones - myocardial infarction, angina pectoris or dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta), and can be associated with acute or chronic pancreatitis, gastric ulcer or acute abdomen.Radiating (referred) pain in the lumbosacral region may indicate appendicitis, ovarian apoplexy, pelvic pathology and gynecological problems.As a rule, such pain is acute, appears suddenly or gradually and often presents a danger not only to health, but also to life.
Pains can also be vertebrogenic (coming from the spine itself, they have different degrees of severity and manifestation - these are pains in the lower back (lumbodynia), in the chest region (thoracalgia) or cervicalgia (cervicalgia), etc. As a rule, they arise due to changes in the spine and can be corrected with relaxing and relaxing stress on the back bed. Such pain is removedin 7-14 days, but the structural changes in the spine can be more serious and can affect the spinal roots, blood vessels or even the spinal cord.
Why is back pain often called sciatica?
As soon as the back suddenly seizes, people talk about radiculitis.But such a diagnosis can only be made by a neurologist after a clinical examination and studies such as CT and MRI, which will show radicular clinical changes.
Older people usually do not have sciatica, although they often talk about it.However, this is a disease of the young, because its development requires an active immune response.
How do you know if you have radiculitis?
Sciatica does not happen suddenly and without reason.The predisposing factor is the development in the spinal segment of such degenerative-dystrophic changes as osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, disc herniation.Structural changes occur gradually, but with a provoking factor - more often after a sharp lifting of weights, hypothermia, an infectious process - radiculitis appears.It has stages of development, and therefore initial symptoms.
At first it may be a lumbago in the back, sudden pain when lifting something heavy.A few days after taking sedatives and heating, everything goes away.Then, radiating (referred) pain appears: this phase is manifested by a more persistent pain syndrome (10 days).For some time, the pain disappears, exacerbations and remissions alternate.Moreover, each subsequent irritation is more severe and longer than the previous one.Then, the radicular and even radicular-spinal stage of neurological manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis develops, in which treatment by a neurologist using conservative treatment methods, including paravertebral and epidural blockades, will be mandatory.Surgical treatment of the disease is also possible.
Do herniated discs hurt?
Herniations and protrusions of intervertebral discs are common.These degenerative changes in the spine have become noticeably "younger": previously they were talked about in connection with people of the older generation, but now hernias can be found even in preschoolers.Clinically, they can (and this is often what happens) not manifest in any way;a person simply does not feel them.This is also due to anatomical features: where the hernia is located, if it compresses the root, if it puts pressure on the spinal cord and other aspects.In any case, the hernia itself does not hurt, but if it affects the "interests" of other structures of the spinal canal, then, of course, the person will feel pain.It is impossible to detect a hernia by eye;CT or MRI will help with this.
Are "youthful" back diseases related to lifestyle?
Nowadays, the back often bothers people who spend a long time in a static position (sitting at a computer in the office), overload themselves with long-term loads (including sports), lift weights and do not follow the principles of a healthy diet.
The first time my back hurt.What should be done?
If this is an acute, sudden pain with a strong degree of severity, is local and accompanied by other symptoms (fever, weakness, intoxication), then you should call an ambulance in order not to miss an acute pathology of internal organs.Emergency help is also needed in cases where a person has such severe pain that he cannot find a place for himself even in bed, paralysis occurs (for example, leg slap) and urination is impaired.
If it is muscle pain, then you can use ointments and heat.It is important to stabilize the spinal segment and stretch (rather than sit) more and not lift weights.If after that there are no changes within two days, you should consult a doctor.
What should you do if your back hurts after daily activities?For example, after carrying a bag on one shoulder?
The pain may be associated with a violation of the statics of the spine.Pain syndrome appears, for example, due to flat feet, shortening of one leg (if it is more than 1-2 cm, it affects the overload of the spine).Constant muscle spasms appear, which must be corrected by an orthopedic doctor.Sometimes this can be corrected using quite simple methods: an orthopedic insole is made, massage is prescribed, physical therapy is prescribed.
Is it possible to get a massage when your back hurts?
If there is pain in the back, the massage is contraindicated;it is not prescribed during periods of irritation.You should not go to a chiropractor even with severe pain: however, specialists use quite aggressive techniques that are possible only according to the indications of a neurologist or therapist.
What will help protect the back?
You need to use rational physical activity: walk more often, work in the gym, evenly pumping the back muscles, which stabilize the spine.Maintain a balanced diet in terms of micronutrients.Practice water procedures: pool, bath, sauna.