Which doctor should I consult if my back hurts
Back pain is traditionally considered an "attribute"of venerable age. In fact, young people, and even young men, can face this problem. Such a pain is capable of being "unsettled" for a long time. The causes of back pain are manifold. Diseases that can manifest themselves in this way are in the competence of different specialist doctors.
The competence of the neurologist
Neurological diseases, manifested by painin the back - osteochondrosis, sciatica, intervertebral hernia. Osteochondrosis is a pathological change in the cartilages of intervertebral discs. Pain with this disease is constant, aching. With physical exertion and even with sneezing and coughing, the pain intensifies. Other symptoms vary depending on which part of the spine is affected. With cervical osteochondrosis, there are pains in the hands, shoulders, headache, with chest pain - a feeling of "cola in the chest", with lumbar pain gives in the legs. Radiculitis - lesion of the roots of the spinal cord. With lumbar radiculitis (sciatica), the pain is felt in the lower back, gives to the buttocks and thighs. With cervico-brachial radiculitis, the pain gives to the shoulders, scapula and occiput, is strengthened when trying to turn the head. Sometimes the manifestations of shoulder radiculitis feel like a heart attack. The invertebral hernia occurs when the intervertebral disc is displaced. Symptoms are very similar to osteochondrosis and radiculitis, it is possible to distinguish these diseases only with medical examination.Competence of other doctors
The cause of back pain may be osteoporosis. This endocrine disorder, which leads to a change in the composition and structure of bone tissue, reducing its density. As a rule, back pain is the only manifestation of osteoporosis, which the patient feels. This disease requires the intervention of an endocrinologist, an orthopedic traumatologist and a rheumatologist. A back pain in the chest area can be felt with lung disease - for example, with pleurisy. This is handled by a pulmonologist. A low back pain can indicate a kidney disease, which is treated by a nephrologist, about the diseases of the female organs that are in the competence of the gynecologist. Finally, the cause of back pain may be a tumor, metastases are the competence of the oncologist. To determine the cause of back pain it is almost impossible to independently, especially if the patient does not have medical education. It is best to start by contacting the therapist. He will examine the patient, ask about the attendant symptoms, prescribe tests, X-rays of the spine, if necessary, ultrasound of any organs and, depending on the results of the examination, send the patient to a neurologist, endocrinologist, pulmonologist, gynecologist, nephrologist or other specialist.
