Back pain: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is back pain?

Back pain is pain that appears in the lower back area, precisely above the tailbone (buttocks line) and below near the ribs.

In medicine, back pain is more accurately referred to as lower back pain low back pain.

The back of the body (back) is composed of the spine which is supported by discs, suumsum, nerve fibers, to muscles and ligaments. The abdominal muscles help support the spine.

Trauma that occurs anywhere in the area can cause pain in the back (lower back).

Low back pain can be acute pain (appear suddenly and disappear quickly) or chronic pain (appear gradually and protracted).

How common is back pain?

Lower back pain is a common complaint. Almost everyone has experienced this condition at least once in their life.

You can limit your risk of developing this disease by reducing the trigger factors. Please consult your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of back pain?

Symptoms of low back pain usually appear when your lower back is injured or traumatized. Some of the typical signs of this condition include:

• Burning or hot sensation in the back of the waist
• Tingling sensation
• Mild or even sharp pain that causes you to be unable to move

Depending on the cause, you may experience pain in your legs, hips, or feet. In addition, your legs may feel weaker, making it difficult to stand up.

Symptoms of back pain usually go away after a few days or weeks of treatment. However, if the pain persists for more than three months, it can be said to be a chronic back pain and requires further healing.

There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you have any questions about the signs, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have the signs and symptoms listed above, or have any questions or concerns please consult your doctor. Status and conditions can be different for each person.

If after 48-72 hours of back pain does not subside, you should go to the doctor. Always discuss with your doctor about the best method of diagnosis, treatment and treatment for you.

Cause

What causes back pain?

A hard blow to the lower back due to trauma or injury can cause pain that lasts 1 to 7 days. In fact, this pain can be chronic and last longer, about 3 months.

The causes of back pain are:

• The sudden movement can cause back pain in the back
• Fat
• Bad posture
• Muscle weakness and abdominal pain
• Too much sitting
• Trying to take something away
• This condition can also occur with other diseases, such as:
• Muscle injury

When doing too much activity, the muscles and ligaments around the waist can be stretched and even torn. When you have a muscle injury, you can feel your back where it becomes stiff and there is muscle spasm, causing lower back pain.

Here are other factors that can cause back pain:

Pinched nerve

It should be noted that the nerves in the back are more prone to injury. You should be more careful because of the risk of tearing the outside of the nerve, and back pain increases with age.

What is worse can happen when the disc in the cartilage pushes against the spinal cord, causing pain in the back to last more than 72 hours.

Narrowing of the spine

Spinal stenosis or it can also be referred to as a narrowing of the spine is a condition when the spine is narrowed. Pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves can cause numbness, cramps, and back pain.

Abnormal spine

Abnormal spine or abnormal curvature of the spine of several types such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis. This unusual curve of the spine can put pressure on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and cause back pain.

Arthritis

Inflammation of the pelvic joint area usually begins with a small tear. From this damage to causing pain, it takes a process of shifting bones that occurs repeatedly.

Continuous excessive pressure causes the joints to move slightly and this is what ultimately causes back pain and stiffness.

In addition, back pain can also be caused by fibromyalgia and some serious (but rare) diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, or blood disease.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing back pain?

Anyone can experience back pain in the back. Even children and teenagers can experience it.

Some things that can increase the risk of low back pain, reports WebMD, are:

• Overweight
• Rarely exercise
• Frequent lifting of heavy weights

According to statistics, people with psychological problems such as depression and anxiety are at high risk of developing back pain, although the exact cause and link is not known.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for back pain?

Treatment of low back pain depends on the cause and how long the pain lasts. If the disease is caused by injury, the doctor will recommend cold compresses.

Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain. More severe pain may need to be treated with stronger medications containing opium for short-term use. For symptoms of muscle spasms, the doctor will prescribe a muscle relaxant medication.

However, all drugs have the potential to cause side effects. Anti-inflammatory drugs can cause stomach upset, ulcers, rashes, and liver and kidney problems. Muscle relaxants can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or a rash.

In addition, you can use physiotherapy methods to help reduce pain. This method is more effective for patients with chronic lumbar pain, the patient's condition can be improved thanks to exercises for the lower back and abdomen.

What tests are done for back pain?

Your doctor will make a diagnosis by taking a medical history and clinical examination. An X-ray or MRI may be done if more clear images of bones, nerves, discs, or other areas are needed.

In addition, the doctor can also do a blood test to find out if back pain is due to another disease with the same symptoms.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies to treat back pain?

Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with back pain are:

• Take medication regularly, according to a doctor's prescription
• Lose weight if you are overweight
• It's a good idea to do stretching exercises to strengthen your waist every day
• Maintain proper posture when sitting, walking, or lifting weights
• Compress the back of the sore back with a cold or warm towel

However, keep in mind that the treatment that you do yourself at home needs to be considered again.

If during 72 hours after back pain does not change, you should immediately meet and consult a doctor.

Then, you can also try the right sleeping position to deal with lower back pain, such as:

Supine position with a pillow prop your knee

Lying on your back with your back straight on the mattress is considered the best sleeping position for back health.

You can place a small pillow under your knees for additional support so that your body is level from head to foot.

Supine position with leaning back and lying down

This position is done exactly as if you were sitting in a chair that has a backrest.

Sleeping in a lying position can benefit people with back pain, especially in people with isthmic spondylolisthesis .

Curl up like a fetus

This position is not only good for people who suffer from back pain and also for people who suffer from a pinched nerve. In this position the body opens space for the joints between the vertebrae.

On your side with a pillow between your knees

For people with back pain, this position can compress the waist and pull the spine out of position.

However, you can still use a side sleeping position by tucking a pillow or bolster between your knees.

Pillows will keep your hips, pelvis and spine in a better position.

Face down

Sleeping on your stomach on your stomach is basically not good for back pain or back pain. This is because the pressure on the neck will increase.

You can outsmart by placing a pillow on your stomach to improve spinal alignment.

Prevention

What are the precautions taken for back pain?

There is much that can be done to prevent back pain. Not only that, if you also regularly take preventive measures, it is likely that you will minimize the symptoms of acute back pain.

Some precautions that can be taken:

• Train the muscles in the abdomen and back of the waist
• Lose weight if you are obese
• Be careful when lifting heavy items
• Maintain and practice correct posture
• Sleep on a solid surface
• Avoid wearing high shoes

One good exercise as a form of preventing back pain is yoga.

Quoted from Webmd.com, people who follow yoga for 12 weeks are less likely to develop back pain symptoms. Then, also make sure that the instructor who teaches yoga has experience in dealing with back pain.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment