Causes Of Lower Back Pain As You Get Older
As we age, we may experience a wide variety of conditions that cause lower back pain. These include osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and herniated discs. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of lower back pain and how to treat them. However, there are other causes of back pain that you should be aware of as well.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common medical problem that affects the bones and vertebrae of older adults. This disease results in weakened bones, making them more likely to break and lead to back pain. This disorder is most common in women and is caused by deficiencies in bone production and loss.
Fortunately, there are treatments for osteoporosis. Vitamin D, calcium, and regular exercise can help prevent bone loss and strengthen bones. A good exercise program includes a combination of strength training and weight-bearing exercises. Dietary changes, such as limiting alcohol and smoking, may also help prevent osteoporosis.
Fibromyalgia
Because of its widespread pain and symptoms, fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose. Because it’s a chronic condition that can affect both sides of the body, a doctor must rule out other possible causes of your pain before making a diagnosis. For instance, you may be suffering from back muscle strains that are caused by sudden movements or repetitive motions. People with poor physical health are also at greater risk of developing back pain.
Fibromyalgia patients also experience extreme fatigue and muscle spasms, making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks. Their feeling of fatigue can range from a mild feeling of exhaustion to extreme exhaustion. The latter can be debilitating, leaving a person unable to work or do anything. The condition can also affect sleep, preventing the person from getting a deep restful sleep. This lack of restful sleep can lead to cognitive issues, affecting the person’s ability to think and learn.
Herniated discs
A herniated disc is a condition that occurs when the material in the center of the intervertebral disc (also known as the nucleus pulposus) breaks through the outer fibers of the disc and pushes into the spinal canal. Although it can occur in younger children, most cases occur in middle-aged adults. Genetics can also increase your risk of herniated discs.
Treatment for herniated discs varies greatly. Nonsurgical treatments include rest and medications. In some cases, surgery is required to relieve pain.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints of the body, including the spine. The sacroiliac joints, located in the low back, become inflamed, causing pain. It can also affect the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body.
There are two types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis is caused by chronic autoimmune conditions and causes limited motion and stiffness in the back. Inflammatory arthritis is often treatable with physical therapy. The most common form of arthritis in the spine is osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis leads to degeneration of the joints and bone spurs.
Disc degeneration
There are several methods of addressing disc degeneration pain, including physical therapy, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Nonsurgical treatments for degenerative discs can include medication, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic care, and pain management. The most important treatment for degenerative disc pain is correct posture. Proper posture will help prevent and manage back pain and help the disc heal faster.
The presence of disc degeneration is often accompanied by low back pain episodes, but these episodes are reversible. In order to study the reversibility of this condition, several research groups have used lumbar MRIs to detect individuals without disc degeneration and to monitor disc-signal changes. For example, Salminen et al. reported that they detected 5 new cases of disc degeneration in their cohort in 1995 and four new cases in 2002.