risk factors of low back pain in women

In the best known cases, the pain starts after an injury lifting a heavy object, or after a sudden movement. Not all people have back pain after such injuries, however. In most cases, back pain causes are unknown.

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Intervertebral discs begin deteriorating and growing thinner and 30. A third of adults over 20 show signs of herniated disc (although only 3% of these disks cause symptoms). As people continue to age and the discs lose moisture and shrink, the risk for spinal stenosis. The incidence of back pain and sciatica increases in women during menopause because they lose bone density. In the elderly, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are common. However, the risk for back pain does not rise steadily with age, suggesting that, at some point, the conditions that cause low back pain plateau.

High-risk industries

Work with lifting, bending and twisting in awkward positions, as well as those that cause workers place the whole-body vibration (such as long distance truck driving) in a particular risk for low back pain. The more a person continues such work, the more at risk. Some workers wear back support belts, but the evidence strongly suggests that they are useful only to people who currently have low back pain. Belts recently added support for the back, and do not prevent back injuries.

Several companies are developing programs to protect against back injuries. However, studies have been mixed results of operations of the company. Employers and workers must do everything possible to create a safe working environment. Office workers should have chairs, desks and equipment that support the back or help maintain good posture.

Low back pain accounts for significant losses in workdays and dollars. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back pain was 62% of cases of people missing work due to pain that affects the upper body. A 2004 study analyzed the costs of health care in the United States. Cost analysis is the pain more than 90 billion, including $ 26 million was spent directly in the treatment of back pain. The study found that the amount of money spent on health care for people with back pain was 1.6 times greater than the cost of health care for people without back pain.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by progressive loss of bone density, thinning of bone tissue, and increased susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis can lead to illness, hormonal or nutritional deficiency or advanced age. Regular exercise and vitamins and minerals can reduce and even reverse the loss of bone density.

The psychological and social factors

Psychological factors are known to play a strong influence on the three phases of low back pain:

Some evidence suggests preexisting depression and the inability to cope is likely to anticipate the pain of physical problems. Style "passive" coping (do not want to deal with the problems) was strongly associated with risk of developing disabling neck or low back pain.

Social and psychological factors as well as job satisfaction, perception of the seriousness of the whole person in their share of back pain. For example, one study compared truck drivers and bus drivers. Almost all the drivers enjoy their work. Half of them reported back pain, but only 24% lost time at work. Bus drivers, however, reported job satisfaction much lower than truck drivers, and these workers with back pain were significantly more absences than the number of truck drivers, in spite of less stress on shoulders. Similarly, another study found that pilots, who generally reported "loving their jobs," he reported back problems much less of its crew. Yet another study reported that a small investment, low social support, and the high stress of soldiers associated with a higher risk of disabling back pain.

The depression and the tendency to develop physical complaints in response to stress also increase the likelihood that acute back pain becomes chronic. As the patient feels pain and can deal at the beginning of an acute attack may actually condition of the patient, either to restore or develop a chronic illness. Those who overreact to the pain and fear in their long-term outlook tend to feel out of control and become discouraged, increasing the risk of long-term problems.

Studies also suggest that patients who reported prolonged emotional distress have less favorable outcomes after back surgery. It must be strongly emphasized that the presence of psychological factors do not diminish the reality of pain and disabling effects. The recognition of this presence as a major player in many cases of low back pain, but can help determine the full range of treatment options.