What to do if there is pain in the lower back? No one can answer you unequivocally to this question. First of all, it is necessary to find out why the discomfort appeared. In this case, the pain can be completely different in nature: aching, monotonous, constant, cramping or acute. Such sensations are a negative sign, while delivering moral and physical suffering to the patient and, of course, worsen the quality of life. What to do if there is a back pain on the left above the lower back?
Causes of discomfort
Often, such unpleasant sensations indicate the presence in the body of a running pathological process. In this case, cure the ailment by taking grandmother's herbs or one tablet of an anesthetic will not work. In order for the pains on the left side of the back to not recur, complex therapy is required. Often, surgical intervention is required to solve the problem. Pain from the left back can be a symptom of the following ailments:
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which occur with damage to the spine. Such ailments include tuberculosis, a spinal tumor resulting from specific damage, curvature of the spine, osteochondrosis with displacements of the intervertebral discs.
- Diseases of the kidneys, which are accompanied by the formation of stones in the pelvis.
- Some heart ailments. These include myocardial infarction, angina pectoris.
- Myositis.
- Damage to the pleura and lungs, for example, pleuropneumonia.
- Diseases of organs located in the abdominal cavity.
Often, drawing pain in the back on the left above the lower back begins during pregnancy. In this case, the problem is not related diseases. To solve this problem, you should contact a specialist.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
With some ailments of the spine, pain can be disturbed on the left in the back. It is worth noting that this category of the disease is the main cause of such unpleasant sensations. The bottom line is that certain problems, for example, reduced immunity or overweight, can lead to metabolic disorders. As a result of this, the patient develops a thinning of the intervertebral discs and degeneration. With excessive physical exertion, sudden movement and weight lifting, the damaged vertebra can move in any direction, but most often to the left. This leads to infringement, as well as reactive inflammation of the sensitive roots of the nerves located in the back. As a result, there is pain in the back above the lower back.
With scoliosis, the exact same picture is observed. The cause of pain on the left in the back can be osteochondrosis and, of course, a constantly supported curved posture. If oncology develops on the left side, then with time the tumors sprout and begin to destroy not only soft tissues, but also nerves, cartilage and bones. In this case, there is a very severe back pain on the left, which can only be removed with narcotic painkillers.
Myositis
In the lower back of the person are large muscles. Due to the influence of adverse factors, for example, increasing physical stress or hypothermia, the inflammatory process begins in these soft tissues, which is accompanied by pain. Unpleasant sensations intensify with a change in body position, coughing or breathing. Such symptoms indicate the presence of such an unpleasant phenomenon as lumbar myositis.
Kidney disease
The left kidney is projected onto the left side of the lower back. It is for this reason that some diseases of this organ give back pain. Sensations at the same time can have a completely different character: aching, dull, sudden, sharp. Pain syndrome is very similar to what occurs with certain diseases of the spine. Therefore, they are very easy to confuse without special studies that correctly diagnose the disease. It is worth noting that kidney disease has a hallmark - a symptom of Pasternatsky. With a slight tingling sensation in the region of this internal organ, back pain on the left above the lower back becomes worse. However, without laboratory analysis, this symptom still does not prove anything.
Heart ailments and back pain
Myocardial infarction and angina are often accompanied by discomfort with the sternum. However, with damage to the posterior organ, the nature of the pain can change significantly. In this case, the patient may have a fear of death. There are back pain under the shoulder blades. Echoes of discomfort can be given to the lower jaw, lower back and left arm. The pain can become so severe that it can only be relieved with narcotic painkillers. You can resort to such symptomatic therapy only within the walls of a medical institution.
Diseases of other internal organs and respiratory organs
With pneumonia, damage to the lower pleura can occur. When breathing, the inflamed surfaces of the organs rub against each other. As a result of this, pain occurs on the left side of the back. If the disease is started, then the temperature may rise, unpleasant sensations may intensify, and fluid may accumulate in the pleural cavity.
It is worth noting that the back can begin to hurt due to some diseases of the organs located in the abdominal cavity. With some pathologies, for example, intestinal obstruction or inflammation of the peritoneum, immediate surgical intervention is required. With these ailments, back pain under the shoulder blades can occur. Such sensations are accompanied by tension in the muscles of the abdominal cavity.
In pathological processes that sluggishly occur in the stomach, pancreas and liver, chronic aching pains can be observed. Sensations are not intense. However, because of them, the patient may experience discomfort. Treatment of the back in this case largely depends on the underlying disease.
Back pain during pregnancy
As for pregnancy, here specialists cannot confidently answer why a woman during this period may experience discomfort in the lower back. Is this condition considered normal or pathological? In any case, bearing a child is a strong stress for the body. As a result of this, a violation of all physiological processes occurs. A similar phenomenon can cause back pain on the left above the lower back. In such a situation, unpleasant sensations can be caused by several factors at once:
- Uterine squeezing and displacement of some internal organs.
- Increased abdominal pressure.
- Increased stress on the spine.
If the pain intensified, and even slight bleeding appeared, then you should immediately consult a doctor, as this may indicate the development of complications that pose a danger to the life of not only the child, but also the mother. Slowing down in such a situation can lead to disastrous consequences.
Who to contact for back pain on the left side
Diagnosis, as well as treatment of pain in the lower back in the left side, is usually carried out by several specialists at once: a traumatologist, surgeon, gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, radiologist, and therapist. Initially, it turns out how long the unpleasant sensations arose, and what kind of pain is: giving or not giving to other parts of the body, pulling, aching, burning. It is worth noting that the doctor may suspect a pathology of the internal organs or the spine already during the first examination.
Do I need tests
To do without analyzes, alas, will not work. Especially if the pain is in the back. The lower back can hurt due to the development of many diseases. Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, you will have to pass general tests of urine and blood. A variety of studies on markers of certain diseases have recently become popular. To confirm or exclude the presence of certain heart ailments, an electrocardiogram is mandatory. If necessary, the doctor can refer the patient for computed tomography, ultrasound and radiography.
Recommendations for the treatment of back pain
As for the general recommendations for the treatment of back pain on the left side, they simply do not exist. At the moment, there are a huge number of drugs developed by modern pharmacological enterprises that are able to relieve discomfort for a certain time. However, analgesics may not always solve the problem. After all, these drugs only eliminate pain, and the cause of its occurrence does not eliminate. In addition, doctors do not recommend anesthesia before the examination, as this only distorts the clinical picture and does not allow the diagnosis to be made quickly and correctly. Treatment of the back should be carried out in accordance with the underlying disease, which caused unpleasant sensations.
Is it possible to use alternative medicine
Many experts do not recommend taking any funds prepared at home based on plant materials on their own, as this can affect the patient’s condition and even harm him. The use of such drugs is allowed only after consulting a doctor and only in combination with pharmaceuticals.
If the problem is diseases of the spine, then at home you can do massage, therapeutic exercises. However, these methods of therapy are strictly prohibited during pregnancy, tumors, tuberculosis, heart disease, as well as with some skin ailments.
In order for the treatment to give a positive result, the solution to the problem should be approached individually. After all, each case of lower back pain on the left side has its own characteristics. Therefore, in the presence of unpleasant sensations in the back, you should first contact a medical institution for help.
Finally
First of all, you should call an ambulance, since discomfort can be a sign of a more serious disease. If there is an acute, severe or pulling pain in the left back, then you can give the patient an antispasmodic. If there are no contraindications, then you can do a light massage. At the same time, there is no need to put much pressure on the sore spot. Massage will help relieve back muscle tension . However, further treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. Remember that with some diseases, massage is prohibited.
There are contraindications. It is necessary to consult with a specialist.