In The Venue

Coping with a herniated disc can get out of hand many a time. It is very important to garner the right resources and education on the condition to grapple withy the onslaught. To this end it is important to first and foremost know what the condition really is! When the integral part of the spine or the backbone in our back gets damaged one suffers from a painful condition called disc herniation.

There are around 33 bones in our spine. The spinal discs have shock absorbing characteristics which are placed in between the bones to maintain flexibility of the spine and to reduce the friction between the bones. Over a period of time the discs become more rigid and start wearing out and small parts of the disc start budging out beyond their normal position. Once a disc is pushed out of its normal place it is called a herniated disc. Injury, trauma or an accident can be the cause of this condition.

Those with disc herniated will not show symptoms for quite some time. Sometimes the symptoms of herniated disc are sudden and require treatment immediately. Restriction of the affected part and backache are some of the common symptoms of herniated disc. There are a few signs which indicate these symptoms.

Shooting pain:

In a herniated disc the nerves are subjected to pressure because of which the nerves extended throughout the body get compressed leading to shooting pain which radiates down the limbs.  Nerves which run through the legs, through the neck get compressed and one experiences severe pain travelling down the arms, legs and also the neck. These are the most common symptoms of herniated disc.

Pain in the leg is also the most common symptoms of herniated disc. Pain in the leg worsens while standing for long periods as the person experiences intermittent period of severe pain in the leg. Walking and lying down is the only way to get relief. The recommendation is that the person should stand in such a position that the pressure on the herniated disc gets reduced.

Strength loss:

The signals from the brain are delivered by nerves and the spinal nerves act as a pathway to deliver these signals. Signals get interrupted due to the compression of the nerves thus hampering reflexes, diminishing alertness and causing muscle weakness. Ability of the patient is limited and he is not able to perform his daily activities well. Loss of strength is one of the symptoms of herniated disc.

Complicated bowel movements and unusual sensations:

Some of the other symptoms of herniated disc are unusual sensations and complicated bowel movements. Problems in the bowel occur due to herniated disc. Bladder problems, pain while urinating and numbness in the genital area are some of the problems which arise due to lack of proper treatment of a herniated disc. These problems could be life threatening if immediate medical treatment is not taken. People suffering from herniated disc may lose sensations and experience numbness in certain parts of their body, especially the legs. Along with numbness the person experiences a tingling pain. Numbness in the buttock region can also affect the leg.

Wear and tear of the spinal disc is the cause of a herniated disc. Elasticity and water content in the nucleus of the disc gets reduced due to aging and this problem is common in the age group of thirty to fifty. This group has a high risk of herniated disc. Picking up heavy objects is also one of the causes of a herniated disc. Symptoms of herniated disc may vary depending on the size of disc herniation.

Complete bed rest is recommended for a period of time which helps in reducing the symptoms of herniated disc. A number of pain relievers, no steroidal drugs help in managing the severe pain. Some exercises are also recommended by doctors to help restore normal strength and the person can at least get back to his normal activities. To reduce the pain the heat pad is also recommended. For the lower back pain spinal decompression therapy is also recommended by doctors. Within a period of at least six months the pain subsides with these different treatment options.

The symptoms of herniated disc are painful and very discomforting. It is vital to identify these symptoms and ensure the right treatment options are in place before the condition deteriorates any further. It pays to invest quality time in research, online and offline, and harness the right understanding on the condition. It is only with this information and of course the assistance of the medical fraternity that you can cope with the pain and discomfort of herniated disc. Treatment options offered subsequently are either individualistic for each symptom or comprehensive. Take the right step forward and secure a healthy lifestyle – one of action and a painless realm!