Herniated Disk

Back Pain could give you a painful surprise, could I have a Herniated Disk? Read about signs, diagnostic and treatment.

The spine is composed of 33 bones called vertebrae, cushioned by discs. These disks serve as shock absorbers for the spinal bones, allowing you to move your spine around and turn over.

But if one of these disks starts sliding out of place, it can hurt the enclosing nerves and cause intense pain. The condition is known as the Herniated Disk.

Causes of Herniated Disk

An injury may cause a Herniated Disk. Spinal disks lose some of their liquid content as a person ages. A minor twisting movement can cause a disc to crack as this degeneration advances.

Some people are more vulnerable to disc problems and suffer from Herniated Disks in several places along the spine.

Signs of a Herniated Disk

One sign is the location of the pain. It could occur in any part of your spine, but Herniated Disks are most common in the lumbar spine, just over your hips, and the pain spreads from your back to all the abdominal sections of your body.

Arm or Leg pain
Numb
Muscle debilitating

Pain from a Herniated Disk usually worsens when you start any physical activity.

Risk factors

Weight: Overweight puts a lot of stress on your lower back
Genetics
Occupation: Any repeated activities that strain the spine can cause them. Activities such as pushing, pulling, or twisting
Unsafe lifting technique
Driving often: A combination of being seated for long periods and the abrupt movements of the car could damage the disks
Sedentary lifestyle
Smoking: Because of the reduction of oxygen supply to the disks

Diagnosis of Herniated Disk

The Neurosurgeon will perform a physical exam to find the cause of your pain and ask questions related to your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history.

Following are some of the possible tests that could be carried out:

X-Rays
CT Scan
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Myelogram

Treatment of Herniated Disk

Herniated Disks cause critical pain, but the proper treatment could relieve symptoms. Among the treatment options that the specialist in Neurosurgery may recommend are:

Treatment with medication
Treatment with Physiotherapy
In some specific cases, surgery will be indicated

Make an appointment with your Neurosurgeon to start your treatment today and say goodbye to the pain.

Living with Herniated Disk

When you have already been diagnosed with Herniated Disc, follow the treatment provided by your Neurosurgeon.

Some things to consider that could help improve the quality of life are:

Analgesics, prescribed by the specialist in Neurosurgery
Use cold compresses on the inflamed area, and avoid staying in bed for a long time
Go for a walk
Take care of your movements, especially when bending and lifting objects
Therapy such as Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Massage

¿When to see a Doctor?

Make your appointment with the Neurosurgeon if you present any of the mentioned symptoms or detect another abnormal sign.

The Neurosurgeon is in charge of treating a herniated disc condition; he will be in charge of making a diagnosis to identify the cause of the symptoms and identify the severity of the disease.

When consulting the specialist in Neurosurgery, try to keep a record of your pain with a detailed description of the symptoms, duration, and what you think triggered them. Also, mention any medications you are taking.

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