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| Sciatica |
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Medical terms are often adopted and misused by the general population. One example of such a word is sciatica. This term is used by many people to describe any form of lower back or leg pain. True sciatica refers to pain caused by inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve runs from the spine through the buttocks and down to the foot through the back of each leg. It is the largest nerve in the body and is responsible for both sensory and motor functions. Feelings and movement of the legs and feet are regulated through the sciatic nerve.
Symptoms of sciatica can occur anywhere along the sciatic nerve. They are most often felt in the lower back, radiating down through the buttocks and into the back of the leg. Sensations associated with sciatica include pain, numbness, and tingling. Motor functions can also be affected, making the movement of the leg difficult. In most cases, sciatica affects only one side of the body.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself, rather it is a symptom of an underlying condition. Treatment depends on what has caused the nerve to become inflamed. Causes of sciatica include slipped discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal disc herniation. Disc herniation can result from the degeneration of tissue due to aging. Continued pressure on the nerve, such as sitting for long periods, can also cause sciatica. Tumors of the spinal column or sciatic nerve can also cause sciatica. In some cases, a specific cause may not be identifiable.
In most cases, very little treatment is required for sciatica. Analgesics may be taken for the pain, and a few days of bed rest may be recommended. Prolonged bed rest is no longer a remedy as it may weaken the muscles around the spine, making recurring pain more likely. It is more effective to maintain activity and work on strengthening back muscles to reduce pain and prevent a recurrence. Applications of heat and cold may also be helpful to relieve the pain.
Sciatica will usually go away within a couple of weeks. If it lasts for longer than six weeks or progressively worsens, you may need to seek medical help. Medical care for sciatica will also be necessary if you get sudden severe pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in your back or legs. If there is a loss of bowel or bladder control or if the pain follows a violent trauma then you should see a doctor.
When home care measures do not provide relief from sciatica, more aggressive treatment may be required. This may include epidural injections of steroids to reduce inflammation and surgery. A diskectomy may be performed if the sciatica is caused by a herniated disc. This will relieve the pain, but will not prevent further attacks of sciatica from degeneration.
Get a rundown of things to consider and more information on our Hwfbl-health women for a better life now.