Usually, back pain on the left side occurs from common everyday situations, such as carrying heavy objects, poor postures or very repetitive movements, which end up causing muscle injury or even compression of certain nerves. These situations are often treated at home with some care, such as resting and applying hot compresses, for example.
However, back pain can also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as kidney stones or rib fractures, especially when the pain is very severe or lasts several days. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor to identify the correct cause and begin appropriate treatment.
These are the main causes of pain on the left side of the back and what to do in each case:
Most back pains are of muscle origin because the spine is the body’s support base. This type of pain usually occurs after physical activity, after performing services that require strength, such as lifting and carrying heavy objects, as well as poor posture, and even standing for a long time or sitting can end up injury. spinal cord and causing back pain. This type of pain can also be caused by strokes in the area.
Muscle pain is often aggravated by movement, causes pain in the form of weight or tightness, and can end up affecting daily activities because of the discomfort it causes.
What to do: there are ways to relieve tension in your back muscles. The first is to apply a hot compress to the area for 15 minutes, twice a day and apply an anti-inflammatory ointment such as Calminex, Gelol or Diclofenac, also known as Voltaren or Cataflan.
In addition, it is also important to avoid exertion during this period so that symptoms of the injury are relieved more quickly. Techniques such as acupuncture have been shown to be effective in combating back pain. In the long term, it is also important to maintain a correct posture on a daily basis, as well as perform stretching to reduce muscle tension and relieve discomfort. Discover other ways to relieve pain caused by muscle damage.
Nerve pain can trigger severe pain that can be felt by bumps or punctures. An example that causes this type of pain is the presence of a herniated disk, because in this condition the invertebral disc ends up compressing the nerve roots that leave the spinal cord. This pain usually occurs in the middle of the back, but can affect the left side as it radiates to the sides of the dorsal region. To better understand what a herniated disk is, its symptoms, and how to treat it.
Another type of nerve compression that causes back pain occurs when the sciatic nerve is affected, which becomes inflamed due to changes in the spine, such as herniated disc, and symptoms are tingling, tingling or shocking irradiation. from the lower back to the leg and foot. In the elderly, this process can occur due to column wear. Learn a little more about sciatic nerve pain.
What to do: It is recommended to apply a hot compress to the sore area and not stay in the same position for long. If the pain persists and lasts longer, it may be necessary to consult the orthopedist for an X-ray or MRI, to identify the type and location of the injury and to initiate other treatment such as medication, physiotherapy, or even chiropractic.
Kidney stones, popularly known as kidney stones, are a trigger for back pain because it causes the famous kidney colic, which is characterized by severe and severe pain that prevents the person from walking or moving because it does not. improves with rest or in specific positions, being able to radiate on both sides, left and / or right. See more symptoms of kidney stones.
What to do: Kidney stone requires treatment recommended by a nephrologist or urologist, which indicates analgesic and antispasmodic medications. Therefore, if the pain does not improve or is very severe, it is recommended to go to the emergency room to administer medication in a vein.
For people who are already in some form of treatment for kidney stones, if the pain is mild, it is advisable to rest, hydrate properly, be careful with food and take the pain relievers indicated by the doctor. See what food treatments for people with kidney stones.
When pain on one side of the back suddenly appears or even milder pain that lasts for weeks and eventually weakens the area, this can be a sign of fracture. A classic symptom is shortness of breath due to pain.
This type of fracture is most common in the elderly due to weakening of bones that is caused by small lumps or even wear. Athletes are also sensitive to this condition by beatings, especially in high-impact sports such as combat or football.
What to do: In case of suspected rib fracture, it is recommended to consult a doctor or go to the emergency room for tests such as chest x-rays to confirm the condition and begin appropriate treatment, usually done with pain relievers. during the recovery of the fracture. Here are some important precautions to relieve symptoms when treating rib fractures and avoiding complications.
Although a heart attack can cause back pain on the left side, this is a rarer situation. In fact, the heart attack initially causes very severe chest pain that radiates to the left arm and shoulder. This back pain is characterized by a high-intensity puncture that can give the impression of a bad path that gets worse with stress.
Myocardial infarction mainly affects the elderly or those living with chronic untreated diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
What to do: In case of suspected heart attack, uaS should be called immediately by calling 192. Learn about first aid if you suspect a heart attack.
In addition to the problems mentioned above, there are other causes that can cause pain on the left side of the back but are less common:
Bone cancer;
Scoliosis;
Inflammation of the membrane lining the lung;
Osteoporosis
Because there are several causes that can lead to back pain, it’s important to know certain characteristics that help your doctor get a diagnosis. Among them, the number of times pain occurs, whether frequent or not, whether acute or continuous, that something improves or worsens symptoms, for example, taking medication, changing posture, urinating/defecating and, in the case of women, is associated with menstruation.
Back pain in pregnant women is very common and occurs due to adaptations of the body itself, because to support the size of the baby, there is a reordering of the entire abdominal area, where the muscles weaken and eventually force the nerves even more. Spine. Studies have found that these pains are more common in the lower back and are common in pregnant teens.
Watch the video to learn some ways to combat back pain during pregnancy: