Sciatica is a form of nerve pain that results from irritation of sciatic nerve. This nerve is classified as the largest nerve in the human body. The pain is mostly felt from the back in the low back to the thigh on the back side. It may radiate to upper parts of the leg such as the knee and the calf. The aching is normally felt in only one side of the body. To get the best sciatica pain treatment Conroe is the place to check out.
This condition results from numerous causes. Slipping of discs in the spine is however the key cause. Compression of parts of sciatic nerves by herniated discs or bone spurs is the other primary source. Prolonged compression by the discs cause the nerve to become numb and inflamed, resulting into pains. Lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, pregnancy, and degenerative disc disease are additional causes.
The condition can be made worse by factors such as lack of exercise, overweight, sleeping on mattresses that are too soft, and wearing high-heeled shoes. Symptoms for the condition are many and one cannot be sure because of any one of them. The main symptoms are burning or tingling in one leg, pain in the buttock, weakness, numbness, or difficulty in moving the leg, and shooting pain when standing. The pains get worse when seated.
The diagnosis can be done through various methods. The first process however involves taking a medical history of the patient. The history may probably be followed by an examination of hips, legs, and back. The examination tests for reflexes, sensation, flexibility, and strength in the tested parts. Other diagnostic methods include MRI scans, CT scans, X-rays, and nerve conduction studies.
The characteristics of pain vary among individuals because sciatic nerves can be affected in different places. The aching can appear intermittently, progressively, or infrequently. The condition might also worsen with time. Treatment options are numerous and they comprise of physiotherapy, medical treatments, epidural steroid injections, and surgery. Medical treatment is prescribed as over-the-counter drugs. The prescriptions comprise of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and COX-2 inhibitors.
Advanced conditions are normally treated by epidural steroid injections. Epidural injection reduces the level of inflammation. They get injected into the painful regions directly as opposed to medical treatments which are oral drugs. The aching is reduced a lot by reducing the inflammation. This option does not work on all cases and only provides temporary relief. Pains can be relieved for a week or a year.
Most pains respond to the methods named above. However, if they persist, one may be referred to a specialist in that area. When that point is reached, a surgical operation becomes a viable option. The surgery aims at remedying the cause of aching. For example, if the ache results from a herniated disc, then the surgical procedure may aim at rectifying the disc.
People suffering from this problem are normally unable to do any exercise. Physicians however discourage patients from spending the whole day in bed. Engaging in certain body exercises may help in reducing the aching. Infact, some treatment options include physical therapy.
This condition results from numerous causes. Slipping of discs in the spine is however the key cause. Compression of parts of sciatic nerves by herniated discs or bone spurs is the other primary source. Prolonged compression by the discs cause the nerve to become numb and inflamed, resulting into pains. Lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, pregnancy, and degenerative disc disease are additional causes.
The condition can be made worse by factors such as lack of exercise, overweight, sleeping on mattresses that are too soft, and wearing high-heeled shoes. Symptoms for the condition are many and one cannot be sure because of any one of them. The main symptoms are burning or tingling in one leg, pain in the buttock, weakness, numbness, or difficulty in moving the leg, and shooting pain when standing. The pains get worse when seated.
The diagnosis can be done through various methods. The first process however involves taking a medical history of the patient. The history may probably be followed by an examination of hips, legs, and back. The examination tests for reflexes, sensation, flexibility, and strength in the tested parts. Other diagnostic methods include MRI scans, CT scans, X-rays, and nerve conduction studies.
The characteristics of pain vary among individuals because sciatic nerves can be affected in different places. The aching can appear intermittently, progressively, or infrequently. The condition might also worsen with time. Treatment options are numerous and they comprise of physiotherapy, medical treatments, epidural steroid injections, and surgery. Medical treatment is prescribed as over-the-counter drugs. The prescriptions comprise of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and COX-2 inhibitors.
Advanced conditions are normally treated by epidural steroid injections. Epidural injection reduces the level of inflammation. They get injected into the painful regions directly as opposed to medical treatments which are oral drugs. The aching is reduced a lot by reducing the inflammation. This option does not work on all cases and only provides temporary relief. Pains can be relieved for a week or a year.
Most pains respond to the methods named above. However, if they persist, one may be referred to a specialist in that area. When that point is reached, a surgical operation becomes a viable option. The surgery aims at remedying the cause of aching. For example, if the ache results from a herniated disc, then the surgical procedure may aim at rectifying the disc.
People suffering from this problem are normally unable to do any exercise. Physicians however discourage patients from spending the whole day in bed. Engaging in certain body exercises may help in reducing the aching. Infact, some treatment options include physical therapy.
No comments:
Post a Comment