A herniated disc, often referred to as a slipped disc, is a condition in which the softer portion of a disc located within a person's spine is displaced past the harder outer portion of the disc. This can result in severe pain along any portion of the spine, depending on the spot at which the herniation took place. Here's a brief overview that covers everything from symptoms and causes to prevention and treatment options.
Symptoms
Due to the possibility of a herniated disc occurring at any point on the spine, the symptoms can be very different based on the area of attack. If a herniated disc happens in the lower back, where it most commonly takes place, you expect to have some sort of distinct pain in any portion of the body extending from the buttocks to the leg.
If the herniated disc is in the neck area, pain will most commonly present itself when you are moving your neck around, though that pain can extend to the shoulders and arms at times. You will notice that the pain will start out small and worsen over time. One of the most noticeable symptoms is pain flaring up after coughing or sneezing.
Treatment Options
If you suffer from a herniated disc, there are a number of available treatment options. The first treatment option should be nonsurgical. These treatments are designed to reduce the pain over a period of a month or two by utilizing physical therapy and gentle exercises. Surgery should only occur if you feel numbness that won't go away. Pain relief drugs, such as ibuprofen, can also help to eliminate the pain over time.
Causes
While one of the primary causes for a herniated disc is age, due to the degradation of the tissue surrounding the discs in a person's spine, another common cause is related to stress or injury due to heavy lifting and intense workouts. The wearing down of the disc is known as disc degeneration. Sitting for large amounts of time on a consistent basis, as well as bending over to lift weights regularly, can lead to this degeneration, leading to a herniated disc. However, once the herniation happens, it is often difficult to ascertain the exact reason as to why it occurred.
Prevention
There are a number of steps that should be taken to reduce your chances of suffering from a herniated disc. First, it's important to make attempts to lose weight if you are overweight or maintain it if your weight is within healthy parameters. Being overweight puts stress on the back and increases the likelihood of a herniated disc. You should also try to stretch everyday and make sure your posture is correct at all times. Lastly, when lifting weights, it's important to do so correctly, as incorrect lifting techniques can result in a herniated disc.
