Pain in sides and lower back – a common phenomenon which can have dozens of causes, from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, ending the disturbances of the abdominal organs and the urinary system.
To accurately diagnose pathology that causes discomfort in the back near the shoulder blades, you must first define the nature and characteristics of the discomfort. That means the pain is felt simultaneously on both sides of lower back and sides, can such a position to cause serious threat to health?
The causes of pathology
Pain that is felt at the same time on the side at the level of the lower back and in several places, in medicine is called reflected – the mechanism of its development is the stimulation of multiple nerve branches.
For this reason, pain in the lower that gives in other places, in some cases, indicates that the symptoms are so vague and fuzzy that even the patient himself is not able to pinpoint their source.
In the projection of lower back and sides are different on the lower part of the lumbar spine, kidneys, abdominal organs, reproductive organs in women, so an accurate diagnosis in pain in sides and lower back, should consult a doctor.
Discomfort in the lower back and sides can occur in healthy people due to hypothermia or excessive exercise, but in this case they are temporary and disappear after rest.
Types
The nature of the pain syndrome plays an important role in determining its causes – each of the abnormalities have clinical features that should be considered in the diagnosis.
- A sharp pain characteristic of conditions that require urgent treatment to the doctor, and sometimes immediate medical attention. It indicates a serious pathological processes in the internal organs or structures of the spine – one of them can be attributed to hepatic and renal colic, diseases of the GASTROINTESTINAL tract, kidney and reproductive system in the acute stage of a herniated disc, neuralgia.
- Discomfort appears in chronic pathologies, often in diseases of the spine osteochondrosis, protrusion, scoliosis, etc., especially if it occurs after a long stay in one position or physical exertion.
- Pulls pain syndrome is a common symptom of diseases of the reproductive and urinary system in women and disorders of the liver.
- In addition, it is often observed in pregnant women in the second and third trimester because of the pressure of the growing fetus.
- Dull pain can indicate inflammatory or infectious processes in the gallbladder and kidneys, sometimes on the diseases of lumbar and sacral spine.
- A sharp pain attacks occur with sciatica, protrusion and herniated disc, as well as renal and hepatic colic, intestinal cramps and other organs.
- The discomfort that is felt continuously, it is often evidence of inflammatory and infectious pathology of the bladder, kidneys and reproductive system, can also be felt during pregnancy.
- Shingles pain syndrome, is a symptom of pancreatitis and other diseases of the digestive tract, urinary system, gynecological diseases: intense pain in such cases indicates an acute course of the disease, is weak – chronic form.
The character of the pain is a subjective concept, so to determine the cause of the disease solely on this indicator it is impossible – it is necessary to consider additional symptoms and other factors.
Why run in the right and left sides
Diseases of the spine
Degenerative processes, trauma and other pathologies of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and adjacent structures (nerves, muscles) is a common causes unpleasant sensations in the sides.
Often in this case you suffer from lumbar or sacral region of the spine, rarely the pain may go lower due to damage of the thoracic.
Displacement of a vertebral disk
Spondylolisthesis is a displacement of a vertebral body relative to another with the axis of the spine. In people, this condition is often called the "intervertebral disk displacement", but the wording is incorrect because it can move solely the vertebrae.
Pathology develops for various reasons (injuries, age-related changes, improper load, etc.) and leads to irritation of the nerve fibres or pinching that causes swelling, inflammation or acute back pain.
Osteochondrosis
Degenerative changes in the spine, or degenerative disc disease, more frequently observed among older people.
Due to the influence of negative factors, the processes of nutrition of the cartilage of the spine are disrupted, causing them to lose their elasticity and ability to regenerate.
The main symptoms of low back pain – limited mobility of the spine and a burning, aching or throbbing back pain, including lower back and sides.
If symptoms persist, be sure to apply the visit to the doctor.
Vertebral fractures
A spinal fracture is a serious injury to the musculoskeletal system, which require long complex treatment. Violation of the integrity of bone tissue occurs due to external influence (a strong blow, a fall from a height, etc.) and is manifested primarily by pain syndrome.
Its features depend on extent and localization of damage, but most intense pain zoster nature, accompanied by neurological disorders with disturbance of sensation in the extremities, headaches, etc.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, which causes the asymmetry of the shape and disruption of the internal organs.
In the early stages of the disease is manifested by discomfort and pain in different parts of the back (when lesions of the lumbar they are located in the sides and waist), increased fatigue, and restricted mobility of the spine, while running the pathological process, possible problems with urination and defecation.
Ankylosing spondylarthrosis
Ankylosing spondylarthrosis (Bechterew's disease) is a rather rare pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which affects between the vertebrae, shoulder and hip joints.
The symptoms include pain in the back and the sides, which are aggravated by the muscle tension and changes in the weather, scoliosis, paresis and paralysis. The disease is incurable, progressing slowly but steadily and usually leads to disability.
Coccygeal hernia
Coccygeal hernia occurs less frequently than herniation in other parts of the spine as the sacral vertebrae are more solid and reliable.
It develops as a result of a combination of factors, including degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, infections and inflammation of internal organs, trauma.
In this hernia the patient experiences severe pain in the coccyx area and lower back that radiates to the flanks and perineum, worse in sitting position and can not be removed analgesics.
From this herniation more often affects women, as the most common precipitating factor of the disease are heavy labor.
Diseases of the internal organs
Fighting the sensations in the lower back and sides of the pathology of internal organs is called the secondary. In contrast to the symptoms of diseases of musculoskeletal system, not related to movements or change of position of the body, and accompanied by disturbances of other systems of the body.
Diseases of the urinary system
Diseases of the urinary system that can cause pain in the sides, include inflammatory and infectious processes in the urinary bladder, formation of stones, blockage of the ureters.
Depending on the clinical course of disease, discomfort may be sharp, have a different intensity, and often accompanied by disturbances of urination, fever, General weakness.
Kidney disease
Features of pain in my sides in the pathology of the kidney lies in the fact that they are located just above the waist, often have surrounding the character, and given in the abdomen, the belly, the groin. Some diseases of kidney (polycystic, malignant tumors, pyelonephritis) are developing slowly, therefore, not accompanied by severe discomfort, and kidney pain, and blockage of the ureter the pain is so intense that sometimes causes painful shock.
Cirrhosis of the liverLiver cirrhosis is a severe disease characterized by death of tissues of the body and replace them fibrotic fibers and often leads to death. The pathological process may indicate pain in the lumbar region, which may be surrounding the character, but most often localized in the right side, bitter taste in the mouth manifests itself in the morning), recurrent disorders of defecation and weight loss.
The pathology of the intestine
Disorders of the intestines, gallbladder, pancreas, and other organs of digestion manifest themselves through the discomfort of the stupid character in the abdomen, lower back and flanks, but in acute diseases can be acute and sharp pain.
As a rule, they are clearly associated with food intake (occur on an empty stomach, after a meal or eating certain foods) and accompanied by bloating, increased gas.
Especially in women
In women, pain in the sides are more frequent than in men owing to anatomical peculiarities of the female body. In the abdomen of the females is situated the reproductive organs, which often provoke discomfort in the pelvic region and genital infections and inflammation they develop more often than men.
For women's diseases
The pain in my sides is not uncommon for women during the hormonal changes, congenital disorders (e.g., deflection or bending of the uterus).
Other causes regular pain – sexual infections, myoma, adnexitis, endometriosis and other inflammatory processes.
Additional symptoms of these diseases – menstrual disorders, infertility, deterioration of General health.
Many women have pain in the sides is the physiological norm during menstruation – in this case, she is pain in nature, can be easily removed by antispasmodics such admission and not accompanied by additional symptoms.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy discomfort in my sides and lower back usually occurs after the first trimester, when the growing fetus puts pressure on the spine and internal organs.
During the first weeks of pregnancy this symptom may be a sign of hormonal changes in the body, weakening of the ligaments and muscles, and is also the start of a miscarriage – in this case the pains are intensive, are accompanied by bleeding or bloody discharge from the vagina, weakness and deterioration of the General condition.
After birth
Pain in the lower abdomen, flanks and lower back is experienced by all women without exception – they are part of the recovery processes of the reproductive system. Immediately after birth, they can be quite strong, but after a few days gradually subside, and within two to four weeks to disappear completely.
Especially in men
The males causes nagging pains that give in the hips, lower abdomen, groin and legs tend to be prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and, less frequently, cystitis and other illnesses of the bladder. Among other manifestations it is possible to note shortness of urination, sexual dysfunction and impotence, diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, there are purulent discharge from the urethra.
When genital infections in men treatment should go both partners, even in cases when symptoms in women are absent.
Methods of treatment
To self-medicate with frequent pains in the sides is strongly not recommended, especially if accompanied by additional manifestations – any action can lubricate the picture of the disease, complicating the diagnosis, or aggravate the patient's condition.
Physical therapy
Physiotherapy is one way to eliminate discomfort in the pathology musculoskeletal and menstrual pain. Exercises should be performed gently, without burdening the muscles too much, avoiding sudden movements and strengthening of pain.
During pregnancy and gynecological diseases good effect is given breathing exercises and yoga, but before employment it is necessary to consult a doctor and take into account existing contraindications. You can also make a gentle massage – a circular motion, or simply take a stroll in the fresh air.
Physical therapy
Physiotherapeutic methods are used only after the acute phase, accompanied by intense inflammatory and infectious process, fever and other symptoms, remains behind.
As medical procedures, the patient is recommended electrophoresis with various medications (painkillers, improves nutrition and regeneration of tissues), UHF, magnetic therapy, electrical stimulation, mud, paraffin and ozocerite applications. The specific method of exposure and the duration of the course is determined by the doctor depending on the clinical course of the disease and General condition of the patient.
Pain in the lower back and sides can have different intensity and nature, but in most cases, is an alarming symptom that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.