Monthly Archives: April 2020

arthritis specialist in Delhi

Low Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Rheumatologist in Delhi, ,

Low back pain means pain in the lower back. The pain is due to injury to the vertebrae, intervertebral disc, ligament, or muscle in that area. It is estimated that 90% of the population will sometime suffer from an episode of low back pain. It is the most frequent cause of incapacity for work in people under 45 years of age. Low back pain is so frequent due to the erect position of the human being that it makes the spine and especially the lower back support more weight, explains the best rheumatologist in Delhi.

 

Causes.

The causes are multiple and can be divided into causes of mechanical origin and inflammatory causes. The causes of mechanical origin are much more frequent and lie in alterations in the mechanics and statics of the structures that form the lumbar spine. Among them, lumbar osteoarthritis (it is the most frequent cause of low back pain), osteoporosis, an atrophic lumbar musculature (weak) or scoliosis (alteration of the normal curvatures of the spine, causing a lateral deviation) stands out first. The causes of inflammatory origin are those due to inflammation of the spine. The most frequent disease is ankylosing spondylitis. Other rare causes are infections and tumors. Factors that aggravate low back pain are excessive sedentary lifestyle, inadequate postures, weight bearing, and obesity, explains the rheumatologist in Delhi.

 

Symptoms.

The most common low back pain is one that worsens when standing for a long time or when prolonged incorrect postures are maintained. When lying in bed the pain usually disappears. If the pain appears at rest or at night, it is probably due to inflammation of the spine. This last type of pain is much less frequent and must always be studied by the rheumatologist in Delhi since it can be a symptom of spondylitis (especially in young men). There is also usually a feeling of stiffness in the back and decreased mobility, especially when bending over.

Low back pain can be acute (lasts less than 6 weeks and responds well to treatment) or chronic (lasts more than 6 weeks and is difficult to treat). If low back pain radiates to the leg below the knee it is called lumbar sciatica or sciatica. Tingling usually occurs and sometimes a feeling of lack of strength in the leg. Sciatica is usually due, in younger people, to a herniated disc (the intervertebral disc shifts and compresses the nearest nerve root), and in older people, spinal osteoarthritis (vertebral impingement and bone formation). new (osteophytes) that compresses the nerve root).

 

Diagnosis.

The diagnosis is simple and is established according to the characteristics of the pain and the rheumatological examination. If the pain lasts more than three weeks, an x-ray of the spine is performed. If there are any neurological (sciatic) complications that will require surgical treatment, other complementary tests are performed, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography (CT).

 

Treatment.

75% of patients with acute low back pain respond to treatment and improve in less than four weeks. The goals are to relieve pain and restore spinal function for work and daily life. Rest, drugs (pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants) and physical therapy (local heat, massages) are the mainstays of the treatment of acute low back pain. Chronic low back pain is much more difficult to treat, and requires multidisciplinary treatment by specialized health personnel (back school). Only 10% of patients with acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain.

Once the acute episode has been treated, to avoid relapses (one out of four patients with acute low back pain suffers) it is essential to correct postural habits during sleep, standing, sitting, driving vehicles, work place, in the weight load …

It is important not to remain sitting or standing doing the same activity during prolonged episodes. You have to change your posture and activity frequently.

It is essential to perform regular stretching and strengthening exercises for the abdominal and back muscles, as well as performing regular trunk and hip flexibility exercises. And an ideal weight must be achieved and maintained, suggests the rheumatologist in Delhi.

 

arthritis specialist in Delhi

HOW OUR BONES AND JOINTS CHANGE WITH AGE

Rheumatologist in Delhi,

With age, various changes naturally occur in our body. We have more wrinkles, grey hair appears. All of these are external changes. However, many of us are not aware that ageing also affects our skeletal system. Our bones and joints also change with age. Here we talk about what happens to our skeletal system, and what needs to be done to maintain the health of our bones and joints.

HOW DO OUR BONES CHANGE?

Throughout life, our bones are constantly changing. The body naturally gets rid of the “aged” bone tissue and replaces it with a new one. While we are young, bone tissue is replaced much faster than lost. Therefore, bones at a young age are much denser and stronger. Peak bone mass in most people is about 30 years old.

When the bone mass reaches its peak value for some time, approximately as much new bone tissue is formed in the body as it is lost, however, after about 40 years, bone formation processes begin to lag behind. Bones as a result of this become thinner and weaker, gradually increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by progressive bone loss. Osteoporotic bones are structurally different from normal. In women after menopause, bone loss accelerates.

HOW DO OUR JOINTS CHANGE?

Our joints are also living and active structures that change with age. The decrease in water content, as well as natural wear and tear, gradually leads to the destruction of articular cartilage – one of the most important components necessary for the normal functioning of the joint.

The articular cartilage covers the articular surfaces of the bones and ensures their free sliding relative to each other, absorbing some of the loads on the joint. A disease characterized by wear of the articular cartilage is called osteoarthrosis.

Some problems associated with age-related changes in the joints can be avoided. One of the problems that often accompany ageing, but which is not its natural component, is low physical activity. As we get older, we move less. It must be understood that the less we move, the less mobile our joints become. Along with joints, muscles also suffer – they become weaker. People leading an active lifestyle despite old age have healthier bones and joints.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK?

Everyone is ageing, but there are many things you can do to keep your bones and joints in good condition, delaying the appearance of problems or even preventing them. Try these tips:

  • Ask your rheumatologist in Delhi what medications may affect your bones. There are many drugs that enhance bone loss, such as long-term use of anticonvulsants, some drugs used to treat cancer, anti-inflammatory drugs from the corticosteroid group used to treat arthritis and many other diseases, such as bronchial asthma, Crohn’s disease, lupus.
  • Exercise regularly. Physical activity not only allows you to maintain the mobility of your joints, it minimizes bone loss, and also supports muscle tone and strength, thereby helping to prevent falls.
  • Eat enough calcium and vitamin D with food. These nutritional supplements are essential for normal bone function. The doctor will tell you how many they need. If you are not sure that you are getting enough of them with food, ask your arthritis specialist in Delhi to give them to you.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is a cause of joint overload and leads to accelerated wear of bones and joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.