Lower Back Pain

Overview of Lower Back Pain

Lower Back Pain Meaning in Urdu

کمر کے نچلے حصے کا درد عام طور پر پسلیوں کے نیچے والے حصے کو متاثر کرتا ہے۔ یہ درد ایک عام علامت ہے جو زندگی میں ہر کسی کو متاثر کرتی ہے۔ کمر کے نچلے حصے کے درد کی وجہ سے شدید درد کا سامنا کرنا پڑ سکتا ہے جس سے انسان روز مرہ کی سرگرمیاں انجام دینے سے قاصر ہو جاتا ہے۔ عمومی طور پر یہ درد خود بخود ختم ہو جاتا ہے، تاہم اگر یہ تین دن تک ختم نہ ہو تو آپ کو کسی ڈاکٹر سے رابطہ کرنا ہو گا۔

Back pain is one of the common conditions that can result from an injury (muscle strains), cause job-related disability, or due to sudden movements while lifting a heavy object. Lower back pain can be prevented by simple measures. But it can be caused by some other diseases, like sciatica, arthritis, kidney infections, etc. The treatment of underlying conditions can relieve the pain in the lower back.

Doctors Treating Lower Back Pain

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Signs and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

The followings symptoms indicate that you have lower back pain:

  • Aching pain
  • Pain that travels to the feet, legs, and buttocks
  • When changes in position relieve pain
  • Pain worse in the morning after waking up

Types of Lower Back Pain

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Given below causes can lead to lower back pain:

Strains

Excess activity can stretch the muscles and ligaments in the back. Pain and stiffness are the symptoms that may appear.

Sciatica

When the herniated discs are pressed on the sciatic nerve, it leads to sciatica. The sciatic nerves serve as a connection from the spine to the legs. It may cause pain in the feet and legs.

Abnormal Spine Curvatures

Some conditions can cause abnormal curvatures in the spine, such as scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis.

Spinal Stenosis

The spinal column narrows and results in pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. It occurs due to the degeneration of discs between the vertebrae. This condition may lead to the following symptoms:

  • Cramping
  • Weakness
  • Numbness

Disc Injury

Your back disc is more likely to get an injury than other parts. Some factors can increase the risk of disc injury, age. It may herniate outside of the disc or tear it. Such a disc condition is also known as a ruptured or slipped disc. It occurs due to cartilage pressing against the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Some other conditions may also cause lower back pain:

Spondylitis: It is an inflammation of joints between spinal bones.

Arthritis: It is the swelling of joints.

Spondylosis: It is a degenerative disorder that may lead to spinal structure and function loss.

Fibromyalgia: It is a long-term pain in tendons, muscles, and joints.

Other health conditions that cause pain in the lower back include:

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Risk Factors of Lower Back Pain

Anyone can experience back pain. The following factors can put you at high risk:

Excess Weight: Extra weight puts more pressure on the back.

Diseases: Some health conditions and diseases can cause lower back pain.

Age: As you age, it increases the risk of back pain.

Heavy Weight Lifting: During any physical activity, heavy weight lifting can increase back pain.

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Prevention

The following ways can help to prevent low back pain:

  • Lose some weight if you are overweight
  • Follow a proper posture
  • Practice muscle exercise in the back and abdomen
  • Do not wear high-heeled shoes
  • Do not smoke (because nicotine degenerates spinal disc that decreases blood flow)
  • Choose chairs that provide proper support
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Diagnosis

Doctors will request a medical history and conduct a physical examination where you have pain. It also helps to learn if motion increases pain. This physical exam also involves your responses to certain sensations. If you have low back pain with other symptoms, your doctor may ask for imaging tests.

Imaging tests include:

These tests help to check disc problems, ligament and tendon problems in the back, and bone problems.

Treatment of Lower Back Pain | When to Consult a Doctor

The treatment of low back pain begins with self-care methods:

  • The very first step is to stop the physical activities for a few days.
  • Cold compress is a practice that reduces pain for the first 48 to 72 hours.
  • After 48 to 72 hours, the cold compress switches to heat therapy.
  • RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate) protocol is also recommended for people with low back pain in the first 48 hours.
  • OTC medicines can help to reduce pain.
  • A warm bath or massage can also relieve pain.

Medical Treatment

Some health conditions may be responsible for low back pain, such as pinched nerves, spinal cord misalignment, muscle strain, and weakness. The treatment of this condition may involve:

Physical Therapy

It may involve massage, therapy, back, and spinal manipulation, and stretching.

Medications

Doctors may recommend medicines to relieve back pain:

  • Steroids to reduce inflammation
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Narcotic drugs
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Medical Appliances

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be the last option. A doctor may suggest surgery if there is a loss of bladder control, progressive neurological loss, etc.

In case of any concerning signs and symptoms, you need to reach out to a certified orthopedic doctor as soon as possible.