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.
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