Common causes for back pain

The most common cause of back pain is recognized as straining of muscles or ligaments or muscle spasms. A strain or spasm can occur due to improper posture, lifting objects improperly, lifting heavy objects and as a result of abrupt and awkward movement of the body.

Common causes

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What is pаtеllоfеmоrаl раіn syndrome?

According to the Global Burden of Disease 2010, low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. In fact, back pain is considered as one of the main reasons for the absence of work and also the second most common reason for visiting doctors frequently. About a half of the working Americans say that they suffer from back pain every year and totally, about 80% of Americans admit that they have suffered from back pain at least once in their life. Anyhow out of this 80 %, many are females.

The Americans spend at least $50 billion every year just to manage back pain, and this is only for the cases that are easily identified. Although many individuals suffer from this condition, the records show that most of the back pains are mechanical and non-organic, meaning that it is not due to an underlying serious medical condition.

Who are at a risk of suffering from back pain?

Back pain can affect individuals of any age. But, it commonly affects adults in the ages between 35 – 55 years. Due to tear and wear effects of the aging process, it is quite common for older adults to suffer from back pain. While active individuals get these back pains a little later than the ones who live a passive life, age is anyhow related to this condition and the more you advance in age, the risk of experiencing a back pain increases. Anyhow, this does not mean that young adults or teenagers are not at risk.

What can be indicated by a back pain?

When pain is manifested in the back, it can indicate a health issue related to many organs and systems of the body. While a pain in the upper back can indicate a problem associated with the chest, heart and major vessels, cervical spine and nerves and lower neck, a lower back pain can indicate a problem of the lumbar spine, sacrum, kidneys, abdomen and its organs, pelvic organs spinal cord and nerves. Moreover, obesity, pregnancy, psychological issues, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle can also put you at a high risk of developing this condition. In either way, it could be merely a problem with the muscles or ligaments. Anyhow, in order to clear out that you do not have a severe health issue, it is necessary that you meet a doctor for a check-up.

causes of back pain

Human back is composed of many muscles, ligaments, bones, and disks. While the spine is made up of many vertebrae, there are cushion-like discs between them, which maintains the balance between the bones. A problem of one of these components is responsible for back pain most of the time.

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Arthritis

Among all types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the main reason for back pain. It commonly causes low back pain while at times representing complications such as spinal stenosis, narrowing of the boney space around the spinal cord.

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Pathological curvatures of spine

A curvature other than the normal curves can also cause back pain. One of the most common conditions that produce back pain is scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves to the right or left side of the body.

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Sciatica

It can also be caused by irritation of the spinal nerves and due to bulging or rupturing of the disk. Sciatica pain is very specific and causes a sharp pain that starts from the back and travels down the buttock to the lower limbs.

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Osteoporosis

In this condition, the bones of the spine become porous making it more brittle. Although the spine is affected in later stages of osteoporosis, many individuals with this disease first come to the doctor with the signs of back pain.

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Slip disk

Tthis can be due to rupturing of the intervertebral disks or bulging of it. These disks are like cushions and align with the vertebral bones to give the flexibility and strength to the spine. But, when it ruptures or bulges, the disk penetrates out from the aligned spine putting pressure on the spinal nerves that come out from vertebrae. This might cause irritation and an inflammation of the nerves, which can be manifested as a back pain.

While the list above is found to be the most common causes, infections, tumors, cancers, equine cauda syndrome and above all a non-standardized sleep mattress and a bad sleeping posture can be an underlying cause.

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