Learn More About Herniated Disc

By Maria Harris


As a matter of fact, spinal discs play an important role for the lower back. These spinal discs often act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae, they also support the upper body, and allow movements in all direction. Nevertheless, a herniated disc may worsen your nerve and back pain instead of easing your daily life. The nerve and painful symptoms usually go downward to your leg.

Usually, disc herniation signs and symptoms do not start due to any apparent reason. Nevertheless, these symptoms can also arise when you lift heavy weight or in case you twist the lower back. The reason for this is that such motions often increase more stress on these discs. Mostly, lumbar discs herniation form the major medical problem for slipped disks.

On the other hand, slipped discs can happen in any area of your spine from neck to lower back. However, lower back is one of the common areas where slipped discs is experienced. Because spinal column is usually made of blood vessels and networks of nerves, there is extra pressure placed on the nerves and muscles by the slipped disc.

One of the symptom of herniated disk is pain that goes to the leg or arm but this pain can vary in different people. Nevertheless, it is usually important to see a physician if such pain results in numbness and tingling that affect the muscle control ability.

Herniation of disc occurs when the outer ring becomes weak or torn which allows the inner part to slide out. This may occur due to age, although some motions may result in disk herniation. By lifting very heavy and large objects may result in great strain on the lower back that may cause slipped disk. Therefore, people who perform physically demanding jobs involving lifting are more likely to suffer from disk herniation.

Another factor that increases the risk of slipped discs is overweight since the discs must support the extra weight. At the same time, a sedentary lifestyle and weak muscles can also increase the risk of slipped discs. On the other hand, as people become older, they experience slipped discs. This is because the discs start losing their protective water. Because of this, it become easier to slip out of place.

Generally, there are symptoms that indicate slipped discs. One such symptom is experiencing leg or arm pain. If the disc is herniated in lower back, a person experiences great pain in the thigh, calf, buttocks, and in part of foot. However, when the disc has slipped in your neck, there is intense pain in your shoulders and the arm. The pain may go to the arm or the leg whenever you cough, move the spine to a certain direction or sneeze.

When diagnosing slipped disks, the doctor carries out physical exams to determine the source of pain and discomfort. The diagnosis also involves checking the muscle strength, nerve function, and whether you experience pain when the affected part is touched or moved. Some tests such as x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and discograms may also be performed.




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