Lower back pain is a sign of what disease?

Lower back pain or lumbar pain is a pain that occurs in the area from below the ribs to the buttocks. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, are short-lived (acute), moderate (subacute) or long-lasting (chronic) and can affect anyone. Below are some common causes of lower back pain.

Fracture

Fractures often occur due to falls, accidents, trauma, or repetitive movements. Certain diseases such as osteolysis or spina bifida (spondylolysis) increase the risk of bone fractures.

Arthritis

Arthritis, especially due to degeneration, is common in people over 50 years old. Osteoarthritis is a typical cause of lower back pain. Spinal arthritis can cause spinal stenosis, compressing the spinal cord, which is also the cause of pain.

Disc problems

The intervertebral disc acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. When discs tear (herniate) or bulge, they can compress nerves and cause persistent lower back pain.

Kidney disease

Sometimes back pain can be a sign of a more serious problem related to kidney disease, such as kidney stones. Back pain due to kidney disease, as opposed to regular muscle or joint pain, is usually located in a deep, dull area of ​​pain in the upper back just below the rib cage on both sides of the spine.

One difference is that this type of back pain usually does not change with posture, while musculoskeletal pain often decreases or becomes more bothersome with changes in position or physical activity.

Cancer

In some rare cases, this can be a sign of cancer. Diseases such as bladder cancer, spine cancer or lung cancer can all cause back pain. What is worrying is that when the pain lasts for a long time, tends to gradually increase or is accompanied by other unusual symptoms.

Back pain caused by cancer often appears late (like bladder cancer) or can be an early sign (like spine cancer). When pain has an unknown cause or becomes increasingly severe, the patient needs to see a doctor for timely diagnosis.

Back pain can occur in anyone, including children and teenagers, and becomes more common with increasing age. Risk factors include lack of exercise, being overweight, underlying medical conditions, lifting objects incorrectly, and psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Smoking can also make back pain worse.

To reduce lower back pain, you can rest properly, practice yoga movements such as child’s pose, and combine hot and cold compresses. In addition, physical therapy, pain relievers, massage or spinal manipulation may also help improve symptoms.

The disease can be prevented and controlled by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and maintaining correct posture. If symptoms become severe or persistent, prompt medical intervention is needed because delaying treatment may worsen the condition.