Low back pain can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose low back pain, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Dehydration | 94% | Confirm |
Osteoporosis | 30% | Unlikely |
Pyelonephritis | 26% | Unlikely |
Magnesium Need | 5% | Ruled out |
Lack Of Exercise | 3% | Ruled out |
West Nile Virus | 1% | Ruled out |
Stress | 0% | Ruled out |
Fibroids | 0% | Ruled out |
Do you suffer from lower back pain that is not caused by a known injury?
Possible responses:
→ No / rarely / I was injured / don't know→ Past minor problem, now resolved → Past major problem, now resolved → Yes, there is some pain → Yes, serious / a lot of pain |
The inflammation occurring in cases of ankylosing spondylitis usually starts around the sacroiliac joints i.e. the areas where the lower spine is joined to the pelvis. The pain is worse during periods of rest or inactivity, often awakening patients in the middle of the night. Symptoms typically lessen with movement and exercise. Over a period of time, pain and stiffness may progress into the upper spine and even into the chest and neck.
A copper deficiency has been associated with weakening of connective tissue, which in turn can contribute to the development of slipped or herniated discs.
The intervertebral discs between the vertebrae in the spine consist of a tough exterior filled with a gel-like substance that is primarily water. Daily activity puts weight on the spine, especially the lower spine; discs compress and some of the fluid is squeezed out. These discs rehydrate while we sleep at night, but when we are dehydrated this rehydration may be incomplete. Discs that are not adequately hydrated cannot fully absorb shock and can rupture more easily, leaking fluid, irritating spinal nerves, and causing lower back pain.
Mural fibroids (located in the uterine wall) and subserous fibroids (protrude outside the uterine wall) may reach a large size before causing symptoms. These symptoms may include pressure on the bladder with difficulty voiding or urinary frequency and urgency, pressure on the rectum with constipation, lower back pain and abdominal pain, as well as heavy bleeding.
Pain in the lower back, buttocks or thighs is common, and is often the earliest symptom.
Back pain is an early sign of bone loss.
Exercise that strengthens the abdominal musculature sometimes helps reduce low back pain. Further, strenuous exercise involving significant movement of the lower back has resulted in pain reduction/elimination.
The symptoms of kidney infection can include back pain, side pain and loin pain.