Back pain problem growing among adolescent, youth

The growing incident of lower back pain among the adolescent and the youth has posed a major problem for the entire society. In most of the cases, the pain prevails for about one year, those who never bother to consult a medical practitioner, the condition may deteriorate affecting their entire life. The phenomenon is not restricted to India alone. The situation is being reported across the world, where physical activities is decreasing. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Orthopaedician Dr Sushrut Rajan stated that lack of physical activity is a major reason for growing back pain among youth. The youth and adolescent are more used to playing games on computer or mobile phones, instead of going to playgrounds. Even in while at jobs they are made to sit for a longer period on chair, and use computers.

This not only results in lower pack pain, but also in neck, he added. His father Dr K S Rajan, who also is a renowned Orthopaedician, agreed to what Dr Sushrut stated. Besides wrong posture for sitting for a long period, even during free time the children and youths are not engaging themselves in any kind of physical activity. Lack of exercise also results in back pain at a young age, say the experts. A survey across 125 countries have shown prevalence of lower back pain among youth between 33% and 65%. The pain prevails upto one year. However, with growing age, it may last for entire life. Wrong posture even on two-wheelers and careless driving are another reasons for increasing number of cases of back pain among youth. Referring to bad condition of roads, Dr Sushrut stated that it depends on the person driving to avoid potholes on road or drive with moderate speed while commuting on bad roads.

Another Orthopaedician from Amravati, Dr Vijay Kuthe, stated that bad condition of roads add to the problem, which is increasing. The problem adversely affects all other activities which a young person should perform easily and enthusiastically. Lack of proper care right from childhood can be seen even among sports persons. The injuries are more frequent in recent times. Changing eating habits and lack of adequate outdoor physical activities result in low bone strength. Consuming calcium pills is not a solution. Low bone strength is mainly caused due to low vitamin D. The best source of Vitamin D is Sunlight. With exercise in the morning Vitamin D is absorbed by the body from Sunlight in higher quality. This makes the bone stronger.

After a certain age, calcium pills are not absorbed. High calcium and Vitamin D in natural form is available in fish. There is no food which is very rich in Vitamin D. The problem of joint pain is high among vegetarians. The pain of bones or joints is also related to weakness of muscles supporting these bones. Among the youth consuming protein supplements available in the market, is a fashion for muscular strength. However, these supplements may create problems, if it is not supported by proper physical exercise. Protein is best if at all needed, Dr Sushrut stated. Consumption of calcium pills benefit women only during pregnancy and during menopausal stage. The experts in this field were of the opinion that awareness among children, their parents and youth is necessary to prevent health problems relating to bones.