Did you know that back pain is a major source of disability in the world? Lower back pain causes most people to visit the doctor or fail to go to work. Back pain may occur due to a minor injury, overuse, or no apparent cause. It might also be a sign of a medical condition. The pain may be sudden, and it ranges from mild to intense and sharp pain. Here are the causes of lower back pain.
Injuries
You can get back pain injuries from car accidents, falls, and sports. These causes give your back a forceful impact that damages your spine. The damage may be in the form of ruptured or herniated discs and vertebral fractures. The moment you experience the injury, you begin to feel back pain. You may also feel numbness and tingling that moves down your legs.
Strains and Sprains
Another major reason for lower back pain is strains and sprains. A strain occurs when you overstretch or tear a muscle or tendon. On the other hand, you will suffer from a sprain when you overstretch or tear your ligament. Sports injuries, overuse, lifting heavy things, and twisting are the main causes of stress and sprains. After back strains and sprains, you will experience swelling, tenderness, and muscle spasms.
Infections
Harmful fungi, bacteria, and viruses may travel from the other body parts to your spine. This causes spinal infections, which might also develop after spinal surgery or injuries. Complications of diseases like cancer, HIV, and diabetes may also cause spinal infection. Examples of these infections include spinal epidural abscess and vertebral osteomyelitis. In case you have a spinal infection, watch out for these signs.
- Severe lower back pain
- Flushing, tenderness, and swelling in your back
- Insensitive legs
- Muscle spasms
- Chills and fever
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina is a group of nerves located in the lower region of your spinal cord. This condition is rare and occurs when something damages or compresses the cauda equina. Cauda equina syndrome results from a herniated disc, infections, spinal fractures, stenosis, and tumors. Here are the symptoms of this condition.
- Intense lower back pain
- Issues with the bladder and bowel
- Difficulty walking
- Weakness, numbness, and sensitivity loss in your legs
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition that leads to sharp lower back pain, which moves through your buttocks to the legs. It results from compression of the sciatic nerve, ruptured or herniated disc, and spinal stenosis. Other symptoms include tingling and burning sensations or numbness that move down your leg. When you sneeze, move, or cough, the symptoms get worse.
Degenerative Disc Disease
This condition occurs due to the wearing down of discs located between your spinal vertebrae. The discs are protective cushions of the vertebrae, so when they degenerate, the vertebrae rub against each other, causing back pain. Twisting, bending, and lifting might worsen the lower back pain. Try to take walks to alleviate the pain.
Scoliosis
This is a sideways curvature that makes the hips and shoulders uneven. This condition affects kids aged between 11 and 12. These children tend to experience lower back pain even when they mature up.
Spinal Stenosis
Another cause of lower back pain is spinal stenosis. This condition occurs when the spinal canal narrows, leading to excessive pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord. This condition mainly occurs in individuals aged over 50. If you have spinal stenosis, you will experience the following.
- Sciatica
- Intense lower back pain
- Weakness or numbness in your legs
- Walking difficulties
Other Causes
Because lower back pain may be a sign of other disorders that are not linked to your back, it is essential to know those conditions.
They include the following.
- Pregnancy
- Kidney stones
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
When to Contact the Experts
At times there is no apparent reason for lower back pain, and with time it gets better. You may also quicken back pain recovery by taking enough rest, trying cold or hot therapy, consuming over-the-counter pain relievers, and stretching gently. You may consider seeing our doctor if you experience severe lower back pain.
Also, if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness and tingling, it is good to contact our professional doctors. If the back pain makes you experience leg sensation and difficulty in walking, visit your doctor. Call us today at 205-637-1363 if you need a checkup due to lower back pain. We offer expert services and ensure our patients receive adequate help.
