It is proven that 80 or 90% of the population has suffered from back pain, or will. A herniated disc is the cause of 9 out of 10 spinal disorders . You can have a herniated disc for many years without having symptoms. The pains are usually stronger in adulthood.
In this article we will analyze what a herniated disc is, its symptoms and the appropriate treatment to alleviate the discomfort.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is an injury to any disc in the spine, which causes part or all of the disc to come out through a weakened area of the disc. This generates pressure and inflammation on the nerves near the spinal cord, sometimes causing pain.
The spine is the structural support of the entire body. In addition, its discs have the function of protecting the central nervous system. For this reason, when one of the discs has an injury, it causes major problems that can become serious. Some herniated discs improve over time, while in other cases corrective surgery is necessary .
Causes of herniated disc
The spine is made up of vertebrae, cartilaginous discs that cushion the movement of the vertebrae and, inside, a gelatinous nucleus that protects the spinal cord. When the disc slips out of place or ruptures , it can put pressure on the spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
The lumbar and cervical regions are the most affected by a herniated disc. These hernias are more common in middle-aged or older men . However, anyone can suffer from them if they have factors such as being overweight , constant physical effort when lifting weights, frequently twisting their backs or always maintaining the same position.
In addition, some people inherit bone problems and a predisposition for hernias, while others, by being sedentary or smoking, are also exposed to this problem.
How to prevent herniated disc?
There is no specific way to prevent a herniated disc from developing. However, there are some things that can be done to prevent it from occurring . Let’s see some recommendations.
Do exercise
Doing exercises that strengthen the back muscles helps keep the vertebrae in their proper place. This helps them withstand any demanding physical exertion.
Maintain correct posture
- If you spend a lot of time sitting, it is necessary to keep your back stretched to avoid pressure on the spine.
- If lifting weights, it must be done with correct posture, avoiding unduly exerting the weight on the back muscles.
- If you keep your head down for a long time, for example, when sewing or reading, you can do exercises to relieve pressure on the neck.
Maintain a recommended weight
A balanced diet will help us maintain a weight that our spine can carry . Being overweight not only affects the spine, but also the joints, such as the knees and feet.
No Smoking
It is argued that cigarettes or tobacco favor the loss of water in the cartilaginous spaces of the column. This vice, in addition to affecting the health of one’s own lungs and that of others, can also cause problems with the discs .
If you have already felt any pain or pressure in the spine, it is necessary to follow these recommendations and thus prevent the disc injury or the state of the nerves from worsening.
Symptoms of herniated disc
The points of pain will depend on the affected area and if the disc is pressing on a nerve. Symptoms vary depending on the injury . Taking this into consideration, let’s look at the most common symptoms.
Herniated disc in the lumbar region
These hernias can present not only pain, but also other quite noticeable symptoms such as weakness, numbness in the leg, hip, buttock , back of the calf, or sole of the foot.
Herniated disc in the cervical region
These can cause pain when moving the neck and near or over the shoulder blade . They can also cause shooting pain or numbness in the shoulder, arm, forearm, and fingers.
The pains are most noticeable when sneezing or coughing, and can be described as stinging or burning . These aches and pains may go away on their own or get better with time. Some herniated discs have no symptoms.
The pain, numbness and weakness are due to the nerves connected to the area of the affected disc. A doctor should be consulted if any of these symptoms become frequent or severe . Also if there is difficulty urinating or evacuating the intestine.
Treatment for herniated disc
The first option to relieve pain may be rest accompanied by analgesics and physiotherapy , which reduce inflammation. Generally, this is enough to improve the condition of the hernia and get relief. In some cases, a fast-acting treatment is necessary, let’s see some options.
- Medications. Medications that may be prescribed include anti-inflammatory steroids, narcotic pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and nerve relievers.
- Food and exercises. These two factors are important when it comes to reducing the pain caused by a herniated disc, especially if it is caused by being overweight.
- injections. Spinal injections can only be performed by a specialist in a health care facility. They help decrease pain and inflammation, but they don’t fix the problem, resulting in the inflammation coming back.
- surgery. The option of surgery is only used when the aforementioned treatments do not offer the expected relief and improvement. It is known as a discectomy. In it, part of a disc or the entire disc is extracted, reducing the pressure between them.
It is recommended not to self-assess. A doctor must analyze the case and indicate the best treatment to avoid complications and achieve a speedy recovery from the herniated disc.
