In our life back pain is a common thing. In our country most of the people are suffering from this disease. Back pain is pain felt in the back of the body. It is divided into neck pain (cervical), middle back pain (thoracic), lower back pain orcoccydynia (tailbone or sacral pain) based on the segment affected. The lumbar area is the most common area for pain, as it supports most of the weight in the upper body.
Back pain sign and symptoms
Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their lives. The causes of back pain are numerous; some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back paincauses include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms.
Symptoms of back pain can include:
· Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone
· Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity; (pain in the upper back can also be a sign of aheart attack or other life-threatening conditions.)
· Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods
· Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes
· Inability to stand straight without having pain or muscle spasms in the lower back
Back pain causes
Back pain can come on suddenly and last less than six weeks (acute), which may be caused by a fall or heavy lifting. Back pain that lasts more than three months (chronic) is less common than acute pain. Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctorcan identify with a test or imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:
Muscle or ligament strain :
Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you’re in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back may cause painful muscle spasms.
Bulging or ruptured disks :
Disks act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The soft material inside a disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve. However, you can have a bulging or ruptured disk without back pain. Disk disease is often found incidentally when you undergo spine X-rays for some other reason.
Arthritis :
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Skeletal irregularities :
Back pain can occur if your spine curves abnormally. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain, but generally only if the scoliosis is severe.
Osteoporosis :
Your spine’s vertebrae can develop compression fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.
Common causes of the low back pain (lumbar backache) include lumbar strain, nerve irritation, lumbar radiculopathy, bony encroachment, and conditions of the bone and joints. But the main problem of the back pain is kidney problem.
Kidney problem
Actually Kidney infections, stones, and traumatic bleeding of the kidney (hematoma) are frequently associated with low back pain. Symptoms associated with kidney pain (also termed renal or flank pain) are discomfort (acute or chronic), aches, or sharp pain that occurs in the back between approximately the lowest rib and the buttock. Depending on the cause of the pain, it may radiate down the flank to the groin or toward the abdominal area. Some individuals may develop symptoms and signs such as: Fever, Painful urination (dysuria), Blood in the urine, Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Constipation or diarrhea, Rash, Fatigue, Chills.
Kidney stone pain
— also known as renal colic — is one of the most severe types of pain imaginable. Some people who’ve experienced kidney stones compare the pain to childbirth or getting stabbed with a knife. The pain is intense enough to account for more than 1 million visits to emergency rooms each year. Usually the pain starts when a stone moves into the narrow ureter. This causes a blockage, which makes pressure build up in the kidney. The pressure activates nerve fibers that transmit pain signals to the brain. Kidney stone pain often starts suddenly. As the stone moves, the pain changes location and intensity. Pain often comes and goes in waves, which is made worse by the ureters contracting as they try to push the stone out. Each wave may last for a few minutes, disappear, and then come back again.
Usually, it starts with a bladder infection that spreads to the kidney. Usually, bacteria called E. coli cause the infection to begin with. Other bacteria can also cause kidney infections. It’s rare, but you can also have an infection that gets in through your skin, makes its way into your blood, then travels to your kidney. You can get an infection after kidney surgery, too, but that’s very uncommon.
Pregnancy back pain typically happens where the pelvis meets your spine, at the sacroiliac joint.
There are many possible reasons why it happens. Here are some of the more likely causes:
Weight gain :
During a healthy pregnancy, women typically gain between 25 and 35 pounds. The spine has to support that weight. That can cause lower back pain. The weight of the growing baby and uterus also puts pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back.
Posture changes :
Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity. As a result, you may gradually — even without noticing — begin to adjust your posture and the way you move. This may result in back pain or strain.
Hormone changes :
During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone called relaxinthat allows ligaments in the pelvic area to relax and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birth process. The same hormone can cause ligaments that support the spine to loosen, leading to instability and pain.
Muscle separation :
As the uterus expands, two parallel sheets of muscles (the rectal abdominis muscles), which run from the rib cage to the pubic bone, may separate along the center seam. This separation may worsen back pain.
Stress :
Emotional stress can cause muscle tension in the back, which may be felt as back pain or back spasms. You may find that you experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy.
When to see a doctor
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, usually within two weeks. If not, see your doctor. In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Seek immediate care if your back pain:
· Causes new bowel or bladder problems
· Is accompanied by fever
· Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
Contact a doctor if your back pain:
· Is severe and doesn’t improve with rest
· Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
· Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
· Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Also, see your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.
How to relief or treatment back pain?
Ease morning pain.
If your back pain is intense when you wake up, consider putting a heating pad under the painful part of your back before you get out of bed. The heat warms up your muscles, eases morning stiffness, helps prevent muscle spasms upon movement, and spurs blood flow to the area.
Get regular massages.
Massage can promote circulation, ease stress, relax muscles, and boost endorphins—the pain relievers naturally produced by the body. Some massage therapists can work in your home. If lying on a padded table sounds too painful, ask about using a massage chair instead. Research has shown that massage does more than just feel good; many people find massage actually helps reduce their back pain.
Have a good laugh—with yoga.
Laughter increases oxygen intake, reduces stress, and encourages production of endorphins—all of which help reduce pain naturally. Laughter yoga programs around the country are designed to help people reduce pain naturally through encouraging laughter.
Stretch your hamstrings twice daily
One often overlooked contributor to lower back pain is tight hamstrings. If your hamstring muscles—located in the back of your thighs—are too tight hamstrings your lower back and sacroiliac joints will be stressed, leading to more pain. Hamstring stretching should be done carefully and at least twice per day.
Change your sleep position.
Sleeping in a reclining position can help reduce stress on your lower back. If this is comfortable for you, an adjustable bed may be an option.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Even as you practice patience, a nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can help ease the pain you’re pushing through. The research behind medicine guidelines for the lower backpain finds that these may give slightly better relief than acetaminophen (Tylenol). Over long periods, NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal problems, so don’t take them for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor.
Take a long, hot bath.
Don’t underestimate the soothing effects of a hot bath for easing aches and pains. Your muscles may even relax enough to allow some stretching. While a bath is relaxing, some people have trouble falling asleep right afterward. Taking a bath two or three hours before going to bed may be a better option. To maximize the relaxation, consider using a bath cushion to support your back while you’re in the tub.
Pay it forward.
If you’ve found ways to cope with your situation, share your knowledge with others who are in a similar situation. Start a blog, say it on Facebook, or join online back pain forums. Helping others can pay off in a sense of accomplishment and an improved outlook.
Positive thinking
No, the lower backpain isn’t in your head. But what is in your head could be making it worse. Fear, anxiety, frustrating and catastrophizingcan amplify pain. Deep breathing can help, too, as can simply shining a light on dark thoughts. And keep positive think to move you forward and reduce your back pain.
A new mattress
How old is your bed? You may be surprised to learn that the average life span of amattress is less than 10 years. A number of studies over the years suggest that people with lower back pain who sleep on medium-firm mattresses do better than those with firm beds.
Medications
Muscle relaxants: If over-the-counter drugs don’t take the edge off, your doctor may prescribe you a medication that relieves painful back spasms. If you go this route, just know that side effects can include fatigue and dizziness.
Topical pain meds: These creams and ointments are meant to be rubbed directly on to the area that’s hurting you.
Cortisone shots: If other treatment measures fail, your doctor may recommend an injection of cortisone, a potent anti-inflammatory. There are risks—including thinning of nearby bone—and relief typically lasts just a few months, tops.
Hot and cold therapy
Hot or cold packs may help ease pain and reduce symptoms. The soothing relief from heat, or the dulling relief from a cold pack, is only temporary and will not treat more serious causes of back pain. However, they may provide greater mobility for people with acute, subacute, or chronic pain allowing people to get up and get moving.
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