Back pain in females: Causes and risk factors

This article is focused on back pain experienced by females in present conditions as their life is usually hectic and nerve-wracking.

In today’s convoluted environment, females undergo stress and physical exertion in daily life and mostly complain for lower or upper back pain. Back pain is medical condition in which females feel mild to severe pain and become uncomfortable. Normally females with age groups of 35 – 55 experience back pain though it can actuate at any stage of life. 

Patients feel Pain in the lower back due to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, lower back muscles, abdomen and pelvic internal organs, and the skin around the lumbar area. Pain in the upper back may be due to ailments of the aorta, tumours in the chest, and spine swelling.

There are numerous causes of back pain:

-      Main cause of back pain is strain. It can be strained muscles, strained ligaments, lifting something wrongly, lifting heavy object, the result of an abrupt and awkward movement and a muscle spasm.

-      Structural problems may also lead to back pain. These are mentioned below:

Ruptured disks:  Each vertebra in spine is cushioned by disks. If the disk ruptures there will be more pressure on a nerve that causes back pain.

Bulging disks: Bulging disk can put pressure on a nerve.

Sciatica: It is a condition where shooting pain goes through the buttock and down the back of the leg, caused by a bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve.

Arthritis: It is quite common among aged females. Patients with osteoarthritis have problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, knees and hands.

Abnormal curvature of the spine: If the spine curves in an infrequent way, the patients experience back pain. An example is scoliosis, when the spine curves to the side.

Osteoporosis: Bones, including the vertebrae of the spine, become brittle and porous, making compression fractures more likely.

Back pain is also experienced due to poor posture.

There are certain warning signal and risk factors that trigger back pain such as:  

§  Obesity

§  A mentally stressful job

§  Pregnancy - pregnant women are much more likely to get back pain

§  A sedentary routine

§  Age is also a major factor for back pain. Older adults are more vulnerable as compared to young adults or children

§  Anxiety

§  Depression

§  Smoking

§  Strenuous physical exercise

§  Strenuous physical work

Symptoms of back pain:

Main symptom is ache in anywhere in the back.

When women experience following symptoms along with back pain, they must contact doctor:

Weight loss

Fever

Swelling on the back

Persistent back pain

Pain radiate in the legs

Pain reaches below the knees

A recent injury, blow or trauma to back

Urinary incontinence

Difficulty urinating

Fecal incontinence

Numbness around the genitals

Numbness around the anus

Numbness around the backsides.

Diagnosis of back pain:

Doctors normally prepare case history of patients who complain back pain. They thoroughly examine patient’s back muscles and spine and move him certain ways to check for pain, muscle tenderness or weakness, stiffness, numbness or abnormal reflexes.

Doctors may recommend following test to confirm back pain:

X-rays of your back

Blood test

Urine tests

Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Nerve conduction studies and electromyography to determine whether nerves, muscles or both may be injured.

Bone scan, especially if patients have a previous history of cancer.

Treatment of back pain:

Back pain though irritating but not very serious.

-      Doctors advise patients to take bed rest for one week or so.

-      Doctors also prescribe certain medicine to get relief from pain.

-      But if back pain persists and radiate to legs then doctors recommend MRI. On the basis of reports, appropriate treatment is given.

To wrap up the facts, back pain is rampant among global populace. As in modern environment, lifestyle of females are changing. They breathe in intense stressful work atmosphere and espouse poor physical coordination. Due to junk food intake they become obese and it immensely effect on their back causing severe ach. To avert this medical condition, there is need to embrace good habits of eating, avoid strenuous activities and do regular exercise.