Back Pain is a physical discomfort occurring anywhere on the spine or back, fluctuating from mild to disabling. It is also an ache anywhere in the back region.
The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks, and bones which work together to support the body and enable us to move around. The problem with any of these components can lead to back pain.
Risk Factors
The following factors are associated with a higher risk of developing back pains.
- Poor physical fitness
- Smoking
- Medical conditions like arthritis and cancer
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive weight
- Ageing
- Pregnancy
- Occupational activities
- Improper exercise or work
- Genetic
- Read also; Blood pressure: Hypertension, causes and control
- Blood pressure: Hypertension, causes and control
Symptoms
The main symptoms of back pain is an ache anywhere around the back and sometimes varies to the buttocks and legs.
- Swelling on the back
- Pains down the legs
- Fever
- Urinary incontinence
- Weight loss
- Pains that reaches below the knees
- Trauma to the back
- Difficulty urinating
- Loss of control over bowel movements
- Persistent backaches when lying down
- Tingling around the genitals, anus, and buttocks.
Causes
Strain: It is a force to pull or stretch the body to an extreme or damaging degree. Back pain is commonly associated with straining, tension, or injury. Activities that can lead to strains include;
- Lifting objects improperly
- Lifting objects that are too heavy
- Making an abrupt and unhandy movement
Movement and posture: Back pain can result from some everyday activities or poor posture like;
- Muscle tension
- Overstretching
- Pushing
- Lifting
- Bending for a long period
- Sitting for a long period
- Long driving sessions
- Twisting
- Sneezing
- Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t support the body and keep the spine straight
- Straining the neck forward for long periods
Structural problems: This causes the uneven functioning of the back, a number of these problems can result to back pain. Examples:
- Kidney problems- kidney stones or infection can cause pains in the back.
- Osteoporosis- Bones including the vertebrae of the spine, becomes brittle and porous, making compression fractures more likely.
- Arthritis- Osteoarthritis can cause problems with joints in the hips, lower back and other places in the body.
- Sciatica- A sharp and shooting pain travels through the buttocks and down the back of the leg, caused by a bulging pressure on the nerves.
- Abnormal curvature on the spine- If the spine curves in an unusual way, it can result in back pain.
However, some medical conditions like sleep disorders, shingles, cauda equina syndrome, bladder, pelvic inflammatory disease, cancer of the spine, and infection are other causes of back pains.
Tips for dealing with back pain
- Maintain correct posture during activities
- Stay active
- Eat healthily
- Use ice or heat
- Stretch your muscles
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Maintain correct posture when sitting
In conclusion, some back pain issues can cause pains in other parts of the body depending on the nerves affected.
Back pain tends to be more common in women than in men, possibly due to hormonal factors, stress, anxiety, and mood disorders. The pains often go away without treatment but if it persists, please kindly see a doctor.
By: Peace Chigozie
