Title:
Demystifying Sciatica
Word Count:
351
Summary:
It begins with back pain, followed by calf or hamstring pain, and sometimes included numbness in the toes. Forms of sciatica, resulting from inflammation get better with time, healing themselves.
Keywords:
sciatica, back pain, leg pain, muscles, spine, nerve roots, surgery, herniated, disc
Article Body:
What is sciatica? Sciatica is the official name given to a pain in the leg, foot, or buttock, brought on by a form of irritation to the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the entire body.
Sciatica is most commonly caused by a slipped disc in the lower back, some form of arthritis, or a pinched nerve. It begins with back pain, followed by calf or hamstring pain, and sometimes included numbness in the toes. Forms of sciatica, resulting from inflammation get better with time, healing themselves. However, bed rest is not the best way to treat sciatica. It is shown that remaining active and performing exercises that are not weight bearing can help. Given time, even herniated spinal discs can heal.
Treatment for sciatica is varied. It is only possible to find out what treatment is best for you by going to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may order an MRI to conclude the exact cause of sciatic pain, although many physicians can determine the cause through physical examination alone.
Proper stretching and exercising, combined with over-the-counter pain medications can assist on the road to recovery. If your pain is not relieved by the milder pain medications, your doctor may prescribe a naroctic analgesic. However be advised that these medications can cause nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness, and may result in dependency if taken over long periods of time. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to remove fragment of the disc.
It is important to stay active. Do exercises that develop muscles in your back and stomach. This helps to stablilize your spine. It is also important to maintain a reasonable body weight. Ensure that you practice good posture, and sleep on a mattress that is neither too hard or too soft.
You should always discuss health matters with your physician, especially if you suffer progressive weakness, as this may constitute a medical emergency. The problem thought to be something easily treated may be a serious condition caused by the compression of the nerve roots in the lower end ofthe spinal canal, which requires immediate medical attention.
Related posts:
- Arthritis In The Knee What To Expect health Title: Arthritis In The Knee & What To Expect Word Count: 439 Summary: Arthritis, which is a condition that affects one in three adult Americans, is one that affects the......
- A Better Understanding Of Arthritis health Title: A Better Understanding Of Arthritis Word Count: 394 Summary: The term „Arthritis” refers to more than 100 different types of diseases which all cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in......
- Acid Reflux Disease health Title: Acid Reflux Disease Word Count: 500 Summary: Commonly called ‘heart burn’, acid reflux disease is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or......
- Acid Reflux Diseasein Infants health Title: Acid Reflux Disease in Infants Word Count: 455 Summary: Some medical conditions have no respect for age; the young or the old, and Acid Reflux, also known in medical......
- Arthritis Q A Understanding Different Types Of Arthritis health Title: Arthritis Q&A: Understanding Different Types Of Arthritis Word Count: 528 Summary: * What exactly is arthritis? Arthritis is a group of conditions that affect the health of the bone......
