By Anwuli Oseloka
“Whenever I feel pain in my waist, I just take my Agbo and I feel a bit better” Tayo a commercial bus driver said. Waist pain, often referred to as lower back pain, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), IN 2020, waist pain affected 619 million people globally and it is estimated the number may increase.
Temilade a school teacher said “I try to stand at intervals even after taking a subject with my students. I even take walks during break within the school premises to balance my sitting hours”.
For Christina a cashier at the bank, the pain is endless “I experience waist pain a lot, sometimes I just want to lay down at work to ease the pain but its not possible because as a cashier, your duty is to sit and attend to as many customers as possible, so you can imagine how many hours I sit per week”
Ikejabird caught up with Shedrack Aluko, a pharmacist who shed more light on the causes, symptoms and treatment of waist pain.
What do you feel are the causes of waist pain?
One of the most common causes of waist pain could be a strain or sprain of the muscles and ligaments in the lower back which can be as a result of lifting heavy objects or poor sitting posture. Prolonged sitting as well, that is, sitting in one position for long hours.
Accidents or sports injuries can cause fractures or other damage to the spine, resulting in waist pain. Obesity, Arthritis and old age too because as people age, the discs in their spine can wear down, leading to pain and stiffness in the lower back. Lower estrogen level in women as they age,
Is self-medication advisable for waist pain treatment?
Well, it depends, if it is a mild waist pain, you can self-medicate with prescriptions from the Pharmacist but if the pain persists then you may have to consult with a doctor for proper treatment. Nigerians right now even prefer self-medication because going to the hospital is quite expensive.
What kind of drugs can be taken for the mild waist pain?
Paracetamol, Panadol, ibuprofen and a few others but for an Ulcer patient they can take cataflam for waist pain relief.
Can waist pain be avoided?
It is not possible because most jobs are rigorous, even as an athlete, you may have strains with practicing. However, to reduce constant waist pain, try to maintain a healthy weight, exercise when you can, practice good standing and sitting posture (do not slouch), take a few walks after sitting for long periods, use proper lifting techniques, such as bending at the knees and keeping the back straight to avoid muscle strains.
Do ensure to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation if you experience severe waist pain regularly.
