Slipped Disc The Telltale Signs Report

Slipped Disc:
The Telltale Signs


A back pain can mean several things. It could be an indication of something mild or kind of a warning shot that says "slow down" or "you need a break" or unfavorably, it could mean something more serious, or a slipped disc perhaps. But studies revealed that out of 25 people, only 1 person is experiencing back pains due to a slipped disc.

What is a slipped disc?

A slipped disc is a medical condition that happens when some or all of the soft center tissues of the spinal disc is forced out, bulges out or protrudes through the weakened outer part of the disc. This condition is also called as herniated intervertebral disc, ruptured disc, prolapsed intervertebral disc, lumbar radiculopathy or cervical radiculopathy.

In slipped disc cases, the pain is caused by the afflicted disc as it presses on a nerve. The two most notable symptoms of a slipped disc are sciatica and back pain.


Sciatica

Sciatica usually refers to the pain that runs down the sciatic nerve. This is commonly felt from the buttocks down to the leg and even reaches to the foot. Sciatica is typically one of the forms of pain that results from a spinal nerve being compressed. The leg pain is said to be worst than the back pain.

Sciatica is actually just a symptom, not a diagnosis. This medical term apparently means a pain down the leg because of some pressures on the sciatic nerve. The diagnosis relies on what causes the pressure or compression, and to this, a herniated disc is pictured out.

The biggest single nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve. It runs down from the lower spine through the rear then down to the thighs and legs down to the foot, creating a link between the spinal cord and foot muscles.

Sciatica pain occurs when the nerves along the lower part of the spine is disturbed or compressed. More often than not, sciatica pain is felt when a ruptured disc bothers the S1 or L5 nerve root. As this happens, a shooting pain emanates from the rear towards the calf and may occasionally extend to the foot. Other symptoms include tingling, numbness, and prickling sensations.

Most sciatica cases are usually just some nerve irritations and gets better after some time if given proper attention. However, there are similar conditions that mimic sciatica. These are sacroiliac joint dysfunction and piriformis syndrome. Sciatica may also occur in cases where the nerve is mechanically pressed, like that of spinal stenosis, spine arthritis and spondylolisthesis.

The following are few sciatica symptoms that need to be carefully observed since these can mean a more serious condition:

a) If you feel some kind of numbness or weakness, seek medical help right away. This may indicate some nerve damages that need to be taken cared of medically. Surgery may be an option for severe pain and nerve compression.
b) Bladder or bowel incontinence or the inability to take control of your bladder or bowel is also indicative of a more serious problem and therefore, medical assistance must be sought.

Sciatica may arise either at the same moment the back pain is felt or later. Painful sensations are felt moving from the lower part of your back down to the legs. Usually, in a slipped disc, the pain is in the thighs, buttocks, legs, or feet. And the pain is present on one side.

It is agonizing to bend over, sit down or stand up if you are experiencing sciatica. You will also discover it to be very painful if you try to lift the affected leg considering that you are lying down. This lifting the affected leg is one of the tests that doctors try on to diagnose if the patient is indeed under sciatica condition.

To ease your anguish, you can find comfort with your posture and being comfortable. If you have sciatica, shift your positions and find what feels comfortable for you. You may try lying down.

Albeit nine patients out from ten do really have slipped disc, but experiencing sciatica does not literally means you already have a herniated disc. The remaining one out of ten patients acquired sciatica because of other health conditions.

Back Pain

The back provides support for most of your body's weight. Because of this, it is more prone to injuries and other sort of problems. About 80% of adults experience lower back pains at some point in their lives. These episodes then recur from time to time.

It is typically tough to precisely pinpoint the root cause of any back pains. It can mean a lot of things like joint problems, torn ligaments or muscles, sitting down for longer periods, or slipped disc.

The pain brought upon by a slipped disc is manifested in myriad of ways. You may feel back pains around the lower part of your back after exerting effort into something your body is not used to doing such as raking in the backyard. Expect the pain to increase its intensity after a couple of hours. It may be too painful for you that you cannot do anything but complain.

Some patients reported of feeling sudden extremely painful without any indications of it coming. The pain can come as it pleases without any warnings and all. People who felt it said it felt like being stabbed by a butcher's knife.

With such tremendous pain, you will find yourself out of line with your daily schedules and normal activities. You cannot do anything with that inflicting pain on you. It is best advisable if you pay your doctor a visit. Whatever unexplained and uncontrollable sufferings in relation to your body and health must be given proper medical care.

Risk Factors

The bones or medically called as vertebrae of the spine are extended down the entire length of your back, connecting both skull and pelvis. These bones also serve as protection of the nerves sent out from the brain toward the entire body. The spinal vertebrae are apportioned by discs. These discs are filled wit soft-like and gelatinous substances that serve as cushions to the spinal vertebrae. These discs may be ruptured, or herniated from excess strain and trauma.

In human anatomy, you will see the spinal column being divided into varying segments:

* Cervical spine: In laymen's term, it is better known as neck
* Lumbar spine: It is more popular as lower back.
* Thoracic spine: This is the back counterpart of the chest.
* Sacrinal spine: This is that part that connects to the pelvis and is not movable.

Radiculopathy is mentioned in the early part of this article. It refers to any medical or health condition that affects the spine's nerve roots. One clear cause of radiculopathy is the herniated disc.

Most of these herniations or disc ruptures occur in the lower portion of the spine, or the lumbar area. Herniated lumbar disk is more common than cervical disc herniation, occurring 15 times more, and one of the popular causes of low back pains. Cervical discs get affected by eight percent, while thoracic discs for only one to two percent of the time.

The large nerves that branch from the spinal cord are called nerve roots. These nerve roots may be firmly compressed resulting to neurological symptoms like motor changes or sensory changes. Slipped disc usually occurs on men in middle ages or older. Those who constantly involved in strenuous physical activities have a higher risk of acquiring a herniated disc or slipped disc.


Other Symptoms

Aside from the two primary symptoms of a slipped disc mentioned, there are other affecting signs you need to watch out for. These symptoms are classified according to the occurrence whether a herniated lumbar disc or cervical disc.
Herniated Lumbar Disc Symptoms

¨ Radiating pain that runs from the buttocks, down to the legs, and feet
¨ Lower back pains in severe degree
¨ Numbness or tingling sensations on the feet or legs
¨ Painful feeling augmented with every cough, strain and laugh
¨ Atrophy or muscle weakness
¨ Muscle spasm

Herniated Cervical Disc Symptoms

¨ Muscle weakness in the arms
¨Radiating pain from the shoulders, then to upper arm, then forearm, and sometimes on the hand, chest or fingers
¨ Neck pain particularly in the sides and back
¨ Deep pain near the shoulder blades along the afflicted side
¨ Pain that gets worst with every laugh, cough or strain
¨ Increasing pain as the neck moves
¨ Neck muscles spasm
¨ Arm muscles weakness


A lifestyle change is favorable

Carrying an extra weight or anything more than the capacity of what you can carry only enhances back pains. Exercise and proper diet is recommended to improve back pain problems most especially among overweight people.

Undergoing physical therapy is another matter. It is essentially beneficial too. Physical therapy treatments are advantageous for most disc diseases. You will be guided by a licensed physical therapist and will be taught how to correctly dress, walk, perform activities and lift things and objects. Therapists also help you in strengthening your abdominal muscles and lower back muscles for a better spine support. Therapy programs include flexibility of the legs and spine muscles.

While other healthcare professionals suggest therapy, there are those who opted for back braces to give support to your spine. This is a case-to-case basis though. Medical professionals give advises with regards to the severity of the condition and the patient's medical history. The use of back braces is reported to weaken back and abdominal muscles when used for a longer period causing more harm than good. Weight belts may also be used to avoid injuries especially those jobs involve in lifting heavy objects.

Prognosis

Even though it entirely depends on the case of the disc damaged, most people or patients recovered after some conservative treatments. Proper diagnosis and care are indeed beneficial. However, a small percentage rate of the patients may still experience chronic back paints after treatment.

Always follow what your doctor tells you to do. You may be asked to refrain from your usual routine, or refrain from straining your back or asked to avoid doing arduous activities. You can resume your daily physical activities maybe after a few months, or for severe cases, it will take you longer than a year to go back to your routine. For those whose jobs engage in heavy works or lifting heavy objects, it is wise if you shift careers to avoid back pain recurrences.

As soon as you feel some continuous and almost unbearable back pain, call your doctor right away especially if you feel numbness or any loss of movements. You go to the nearest emergency room in your area.

To stay clear from these conditions, keep a safe and secure play and work environment for you and your loved ones. Maintaining weight control and applicable lifting techniques is really helpful to save you from any distress and agony of slipped disc symptoms.