Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the world in general, and the most common in the United States. Anyone can suffer from back pain and almost everyone will suffer from back pain at some point in their life.

back pain

Back pain is the most common physical pain of all. Every day, about two percent of people are disabled by back pain, which makes them unable to perform daily tasks. In the United States alone, 80 to 90 percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

Back pain can start mild and cause some discomfort, or it can become so bad that it interferes with normal life and can make you unable to go to work.

There are many possible causes of back pain, and it is wise to see a healthcare provider to find the cause and seek treatment instead of guessing and self-diagnosing. It may have common causes such as muscle cramps or an underlying condition such as kidney stones, a herniated disc or inflammation of the lining of the back.In women, the uterus.

Treatment varies depending on the cause and symptoms, and there are many factors involved. However, there are steps you can take to improve your health and reduce your chances of developing chronic or long-term back pain.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back pain is the second most common reason for visits to health care providers (after the common cold).

Types of back pain

According to the Cleveland Clinic, back pain is classified by medical professionals in several ways. Depending on the location of the pain, you may describe back pain as: pain in the left, middle, upper, middle or lower back, or right side. Different types of pain may be identified by the health care provider, such as mild, moderate, or severe pain. The pain may be like a sharp stab or a specific ache.

Back pain can also be classified by how long it lasts. Back pain can last for a day, a few weeks, months, or a lifetime. It can be either an acute attack (in the form of a sudden and short attack, often associated with an injury) or chronic/persistent pain, meaning pain lasting between 3 and 6 months.

Injury risk factors

Who is at risk for back pain? There are several factors that increase the risk of developing back pain, and they may include:

* Fitness level: Back pain is more common in people who are not physically fit. For example, weak back and abdominal muscles may not support the spine properly (core strength). Back pain can be exacerbated by prolonged inactivity (excessive) exercise.

* Weight gain: A diet high in calories and fat, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can lead to obesity, which can put more strain on the back.

*Work-related risk factors: Jobs that involve lifting, pushing, pulling or twisting heavy objects can lead to back injury. A desk job can also play a role, especially if you have poor posture or sit in an uncomfortable chair all day.

* Stress condition: If you suffer from poor sleep, chronic depression or anxiety, back pain can be frequent and severe.

* Genetics: Genetics play a role in some disorders that cause back pain.

* Age: The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from back pain, especially after the age of 45. A person is at high risk if:

– He doesn’t exercise.

– You already have arthritis or a type of cancer.

– He is overweight.

– Lifts heavy objects using the back instead of the legs.

– He suffers from anxiety or depression.

– Smoking or using other tobacco products.

Local and diffuse pain

What causes back pain? Back pain can be localized, such as pain in the spine, muscles, and other tissues in the back, or diffuse, such as pain caused by a problem in an organ that radiates or feels like it is in the back. It contains Examples of both include:

* Localized back pain: The cause may be in the spine, for example:

Herniated disc or herniated nucleus pulposus (disc) – Degenerative spondylolisthesis – Intervertebral disc degeneration – Radiculopathy – Arthritis – Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – Intervertebral disc degeneration – Spinal stenosis – Spondylolisthesis – Muscle stiffness – Muscle stiffness – Muscle spasm / Muscle stiffness.

* Common back pain, for example: aneurysms of blood vessels, abdominal aortic aneurysms – appendicitis – cancer (very rare) – fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome – infections (very rare) – cholecystitis – kidney infections and kidney stones – liver problems – inflammation of the pancreas – pelvis Inflammatory diseases (sexually transmitted diseases) – Perforated stomach ulcers – Urinary tract infections.

* In women, common causes of back pain are: endometriosis – pregnancy – uterine fibroids.

* Among those assigned male at birth (AMAB), presenting with back pain may be due to testicular injury or torsion.

Slip disc

A herniated disc is one of the causes of back pain. What are its causes? And its symptoms? And treatment methods? Can it be avoided or prevented?

Professor Mohamed Melhem Arouz, senior consultant in neurosurgery, spine surgery and minimally invasive surgery and senior consultant in chronic pain management, spoke to “Your Health” and he initially provided a simple overview of the anatomy of the spine. Of the 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical vertebrae. That is, between each vertebra and the other, there is a cartilage called “disc”.

The function of this “disc” is to act as a cushion between the vertebrae, protecting the spine by absorbing shocks from it. Cartilage, or the disc, consists of a gelatinous substance surrounded by an outer fibrous belt that prevents the disc from moving or slipping out of place.

Causes of disc pain:

*Unspecified causes; This results in pain where:

– Lack of movement and weakness of trunk muscles.

– Muscle tension as a result of incorrect and excessive continuous loads.

– Long and long hours of sitting without movement (sitting in front of the computer), driving for long periods of time.

– Overweight and obesity.

– Hard physical labor on the one hand.

– Stress and stress such as stress in work and studies.

– Changes in pain perception and genetic predisposition.

– Family and financial problems, constant anxiety and self-doubt.

* Back pain due to identifiable physical causes, for example:

– Acute herniated disc.

– Vertebral fractures for various reasons, including: accidents – osteoporosis – metastases and tumors – infections – spinal canal stenosis (central, peripheral, lateral, central and peripheral).

– Inflammatory diseases of the spine.

– Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (Pekterov’s syndrome).

Nucleus pulposus herniation occurs at all ages and peaks between 40 and 50. 70 percent male and 30 percent female. waist; About 90 percent, cervical vertebrae about 10 percent, and thoracic vertebrae about one percent.

Symptoms and diagnosis

* Symptoms of Herniated Disc:

– Pain in back and lower back.

– Pain extending to knee and leg or forearm and hand with tingling, numbness, loss of sensation in leg or arm, or paralysis-like sensation. In advanced cases, there are problems with urination and excretion.

* How is a herniated disc diagnosed?

Professor Muhammad Melhem Aras emphasizes the importance of arriving early and on time for the final diagnosis, which leads to a good outcome and gives the patient a greater chance to avoid further harm, and the diagnosis depends on:

– Medical history of the injured person and his family.

– Medical diagnosis.

– General examinations and blood tests.

– Radiography (computed tomography – magnetic resonance imaging).

– Nerve planning.

After diagnosing the disease, a treatment plan is drawn up, specifying that each patient needs his own treatment plan consistent with his symptoms and clinical and radiological status.

The fourth and fifth steps are usually the last resort when the patient is in critical condition due to paralysis, urinary incontinence, defecation problems, foot drop etc.

Herniated disc treatment

Treatment options for a herniated disc are divided into 5 categories:

* Conservative treatments, including: physical therapy – ultrasound therapy – electrotherapy – heat and cryotherapy – magnetic field therapy – swimming.

* Drug treatments, including: first-class analgesics (ibuprofen, Ticlac) – second-class analgesics with moderate morphine (tilidine, tramadol) – third-class analgesics with high concentrations of morphine.

* Minimal treatments without surgery:

– Injection of nerves and nerve roots directed through the CT system.

– Epidural directed injection (medullary membranes).

– Catheter directed to the affected disc.

– Endoscopic catheter directed to disc.

– Laser guided therapy (rays).

– Plasma guided therapy (PRP).

– Radiofrequency guided therapy (radio-frequency).

– Stem cell targeted therapy (under trial).

* Various micro surgeries.

* Final treatments for postoperative pain (final rate).

rush

When should back pain be admitted to the emergency department?

When it happens:

– Sudden and severe pain.

– Pain with nausea, fever or vomiting and lack of bowel or urinary control.

– The pain is so severe that it interferes with daily activities.

The Cleveland Clinic offers the following advice: Back pain can be very frustrating and interfere with everyday life. But remember that there are many treatment options available to treat back pain and return to normal daily activities.

See your healthcare providers to discuss your options. They are here to help you.

* Community Medical Consultant