A bulging vertebral disc is a common occurrence.
It usually remains asymptomatic, however, it can cause a great deal of discomfort and disability in different parts of the body in case it compresses any adjacent nerve root.
With age, the outer fibrous section of intervertebral disc becomes weak.
Pressure from the central core might stretch out to the outer rim, which causes the symptoms.
Many people might have this condition and may not even realize it.
If the bulging area does not actually press upon any of the surrounding neural tissues, there will be no symptoms.
It is only when it impinges on a spinal nerve that the symptoms begin.
Location of the Pain In the lower-back, a damaged disc can result in pain that travels to the buttocks, hips, legs and feet.
In a cervical spine, the pain can also radiate straight from the neck, right down the arms to the fingers.
Approximately 90% of bulging discs are in the lumbar area in the spine or the lower back.
The commonest occurs between the lumbar vertebra L4 and the L5, and between the vertebra L5 and S1.
This causes severe pain in the L5 nerve or the S1 spinal nerve.
The neurons of the sciatic nerve come from the spinal nerves L3 right through to S3.
Avoiding the Symptoms If the bulging disc actually impinges on 1or more of these 6 spinal nerves, the person would experience sciatic pain.
Sciatic pain starts in the low back and radiates right through the buttocks, straight down the back to the legs and might even extend all the way to the feet.
If you feel that you are experiencing these symptoms, consult your physician without delay.
Understanding what causes it can help you avoid the painful symptoms that arise from it.
Since these symptoms are usually caused due to the weakening of the outer fibrous containment-ring of the disc, which is age-related, to a certain extent it is also unavoidable.
The Precautions However, it also has to be understood that certain activities speed-up the development of the symptoms and should be avoided.
Always be careful while lifting heavy objects and keep your back protected.
Maintain a good posture and ensure that you are not overweight.
Regular exercise strengthens the core muscles and goes a long way in supporting body weight.
In the event that you are diagnosed with a symptomatic bulging disc, your doctor will recommend certain treatments that are designed to relieve the symptoms.
You will be asked to rest and use warm compresses.
The doctor will also ask you to perform certain exercises and might prescribe medication.
If all the conservative treatments fail, your doctor might then recommend surgery.
It usually remains asymptomatic, however, it can cause a great deal of discomfort and disability in different parts of the body in case it compresses any adjacent nerve root.
With age, the outer fibrous section of intervertebral disc becomes weak.
Pressure from the central core might stretch out to the outer rim, which causes the symptoms.
Many people might have this condition and may not even realize it.
If the bulging area does not actually press upon any of the surrounding neural tissues, there will be no symptoms.
It is only when it impinges on a spinal nerve that the symptoms begin.
Location of the Pain In the lower-back, a damaged disc can result in pain that travels to the buttocks, hips, legs and feet.
In a cervical spine, the pain can also radiate straight from the neck, right down the arms to the fingers.
Approximately 90% of bulging discs are in the lumbar area in the spine or the lower back.
The commonest occurs between the lumbar vertebra L4 and the L5, and between the vertebra L5 and S1.
This causes severe pain in the L5 nerve or the S1 spinal nerve.
The neurons of the sciatic nerve come from the spinal nerves L3 right through to S3.
Avoiding the Symptoms If the bulging disc actually impinges on 1or more of these 6 spinal nerves, the person would experience sciatic pain.
Sciatic pain starts in the low back and radiates right through the buttocks, straight down the back to the legs and might even extend all the way to the feet.
If you feel that you are experiencing these symptoms, consult your physician without delay.
Understanding what causes it can help you avoid the painful symptoms that arise from it.
Since these symptoms are usually caused due to the weakening of the outer fibrous containment-ring of the disc, which is age-related, to a certain extent it is also unavoidable.
The Precautions However, it also has to be understood that certain activities speed-up the development of the symptoms and should be avoided.
Always be careful while lifting heavy objects and keep your back protected.
Maintain a good posture and ensure that you are not overweight.
Regular exercise strengthens the core muscles and goes a long way in supporting body weight.
In the event that you are diagnosed with a symptomatic bulging disc, your doctor will recommend certain treatments that are designed to relieve the symptoms.
You will be asked to rest and use warm compresses.
The doctor will also ask you to perform certain exercises and might prescribe medication.
If all the conservative treatments fail, your doctor might then recommend surgery.
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