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A pinched nerve in the lower back is a pinched nerve ending in the vertebrae of the lumbar spine or the result of muscle spasm. There are no exact statistics on how many people in the world suffer from a pinched nerve in the lower back, because many simply do not go to the doctor for help, preferring to be treated at home. However, periodic back pain is experienced by up to 25% of the world’s population. And the elderly are most often affected.
Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the lower back
Clinical manifestations of a pinched nerve in the lower back are primarily characterized by the presence of intense pain. Its strength and regularity may vary depending on the specific case and the cause that caused the pinching.
Other symptoms include the following:
Burning in the lumbar region.
Dysfunction of a specific muscle group.
Feeling of numbness in the lower extremities.
Gait disturbance.
Restriction of mobility.
Feeling of weakness.
Increased pain when making movements, during coughing, laughing, sneezing.
Symptoms will also vary depending on which nerve has been pinched. If the autonomic nerve is damaged, then this will negatively affect the work of the internal organs, the pain is most often localized in the stomach and intestines, but can be given to the heart. When a sensory nerve is compressed, the person suffers from severe and unceasing pain. In the event that the motor nerve is clamped, then the gait will be disturbed, a feeling of numbness will appear in the limbs.
Lower back pain from a pinched nerve
When a nerve is pinched in the lumbar region, pain will always be present. Depending on the location of the problem, it is customary to distinguish between ischalgia, lumboischalkia and lumbalgia. If we are talking about ischalgia, then it hurts a person in the region of the sacrum and muscles of the buttocks. The lower limbs also suffer – the legs will hurt from behind.
When a patient complains of discomfort only in the lumbar region, the doctor diagnoses lumbodynia. Lumboischalgia is characterized by pain in the lumbar region with the transition to the lower extremities.
As for the very nature of the pain, in the vast majority of cases it is tearing, with shootings. Tolerate it for a long time without anesthesia is impossible. In a person, against the background of a constant fear of the relative fact that unpleasant sensations will arise again, anxiety increases. Pain in the lower back increases with a pinched nerve at night, which causes chronic fatigue.
Causes of a pinched nerve in the lower back
The causes that lead to a pinched nerve in the lower back are varied. It is worth remembering that pinching does not occur by itself.
Among the factors leading to this problem are the following:
Carrying heavy weights and exorbitant physical activity.
Dislocation or displacement of the lumbar vertebra, that is, any traumatic situation.
Prolonged exposure to cold and hypothermia of the back.
Tumors.
Osteochondrosis, which leads to the fact that the distance between the vertebrae is significantly reduced.
Protrusion of the intervertebral discs.
Childbearing period.
Excessive weight.
Posture problems such as scoliosis.
Improper nutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals.
Lack of physical activity, sedentary work.
Incorrectly organized bed.
Herniated disc.
Infectious diseases.
The most common problem that leads to a pinched nerve in the lumbar region is degenerative changes, both in the spine itself and in the intervertebral discs. Therefore, you should not endure the pain and try to eliminate it yourself. A pinched nerve in the lower back is a situation that requires medical attention.
Treatment for a pinched nerve in the lower back
The treatment of a pinched nerve in the lower back is based on the fact that a competent diagnosis of the cause that caused this condition is necessary. To do this, the doctor sends a person who makes appropriate complaints to an x-ray examination. If it does not give a complete picture, then an MRI can be additionally shown – a study, myelography or computed tomography. You should not postpone a visit to the doctor, as delayed treatment can lead to the fact that the process of dying of nerve cells will start. This, in turn, will lead to paralysis and a decrease in the quality of life.
When the cause is diagnosed, whatever it is, the patient is prescribed bed rest. Also, the first priority is the removal of pain. For this, NSAIDs and ointments are prescribed. To relieve pain in the lumbar region, analgesics in the form of suppositories are effective, which are used rectally.
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