Back pain is a fairly common problem globally, especially among middle-aged and elderly people.
Research studies show that it is more common in women, particularly around and after menopause. Many women universally suffer from back pain, ranging from mild to severe, at some point.
The most common reason for backache in women is using the back like an elastic, bending it forward or sideways while doing domestic chores.
This puts stress on the joints of the back, and over time, chronic pain sets in.
Calcium deficiency is another factor contributing to back pain. During adolescence and menopause, the body’s requirement for calcium increases. If this demand is not met, all bones of the body, including the backbone, tend to become soft. The slightest movement puts these bones under stress, resulting in back pain.
Women in general tend to be negligent towards their diets. The result is a deficiency of all necessary macro and micronutrients in the body. The craze to remain slim leads to malnutrition among preteens and teenage girls. These cause weakness, vague pain, and also back pain.
Chronic anaemia in women also contributes to backache. As for calcium, the requirement of iron is also increased during the two phases of life with hormonal changes, namely puberty and menopause. If dietary requirements are not met, chronic anemia and backache can occur in women. Estrogen deficiency after menopause can also contribute to the softening of bones, including the spine, which can lead to backache.
Recurrent urinary tract and pelvic infections can cause chronic low back pain in women, who are more susceptible to it for multiple reasons. Wearing high-heeled shoes while walking can put stress on the spine, for example.
This repeated stress over a long period of time can lead to chronic pain in the back and calf muscles as one gets older.
Women can also suffer from backache due to other problems in the spine, which can occur in both men and women. These include prolapsed intervertebral discs, lumbar and cervical spondylosis. Diseases of the spine, such as tuberculosis and cancer, can manifest as chronic backache.
Depending on the cause, backache can be acute or chronic in onset and mild to severe in intensity. Associated compression of the spinal nerve roots may cause abnormal sensations in the legs or weakness.
Whatever the reason for back pain, immediate treatment consists of using painkillers to reduce the pain and rest. However, repeated use of painkillers should be avoided, as they can cause gastritis and even kidney failure.
Complete bed rest on an even and hard bed is very useful in reducing pain. Hot compresses can be applied to the back in case of pain, as they provide immediate relief.
Keeping the back straight is always very helpful in avoiding backaches. A balanced, nutritious diet containing enough calcium, iron, and micronutrients keeps the bones strong and helps in minimizing back pain.
Drinking plenty of water keeps the urinary system free of germs, thus avoiding urinary tract infections, which are an important cause of backache. Good personal hygiene during menstruation and sex prevent pelvic infections. Wearing high-heeled shoes is not good for the back and should be avoided.
If one suffers from chronic back pain, lumbar exercises can be very useful in strengthening the lumbar spine and muscles. After doing them regularly, one stops getting back pain after a few months.
Women should be very careful, as they are designed to be more prone to back pain in many ways. However, with due precautions, they can avoid this problem and lead a comfortable, backache-free life.
— Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine
