- Herniated Disc - when to sound the alarm?
- What is a herniated disc
What is a herniated disc
Intervertebral (intervertebral) disc - is a dense fibrous elastic ring from inside the nucleus pulposus, which is in the form of pads
Feminine pads - talk about wings
located between individual vertebrae. The intervertebral disc is a shock absorber that prevents the injured vertebrae with loads and movement.
But in some cases the intervertebral disc loses its dampening properties, the fibrous ring is broken and nucleus pulposus pressure moves beyond the spine, squeezing exiting the spinal column spinal nerve roots. This disease is called a herniated disc.
Herniated disc usually occur at a young age, when the nucleus pulposus has not lost its elasticity. At the age of 50 years after the disc herniation are much rarer due to the fact that the nucleus pulposus rarely shifted. However, disc herniation may occur in spinal osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis - Causes and symptoms
.
Contributing factors for the development of a herniated disc are family history (for example, if close relatives suffered from the disease), various metabolic disorders
Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things
The consequences of injuries and diseases of the spine, disorders of posture, a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to a weakening of the muscles of the back, heavy physical exertion, sharp sudden movements and so on.
Symptoms of a herniated disc
When a herniated disk as a result of compression of spinal nerve roots coming inflammation and swelling of the surrounding tissues. This leads to the fact that there are strong pain in place of compression (i.e., back) and extending from a nerve root and in the area of the body, which innervate these nerves. Violation of innervation of muscles over time results in a decrease in volume (atrophy) of muscles involved.
A popular place for the formation of intervertebral hernia - lumbar spine. Patients in such cases bothers pain in the lumbar and inguinal region, violation of sensitivity (numbness, tingling throughout the body) in the groin, which gradually descends below, causing numbness in the toes. The pain also tends to go down on the back surface of the lower limbs.
The most serious form of hernia develops in the cervical spine. This is due to the fact that the spinal nerves in this area are connected with the vital organs. Pain while having in the sternum and give into the hand, often mimicking the heartaches. The patient also often suffer from headaches, dizziness
Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet
, Unstable (i.e. high then low) blood pressure.
Diagnosis of a herniated disc
Suspected herniated disc can already be on the basis of examination of the patient. But this can only be a specialist (neurosurgeon or neurologist - vertebrologist). To clarify the diagnosis X-rays of the spine is done (it reveals bone changes in the spine), and magnetic resonance imaging (It shows not only the bone changes, but also changes in the disks themselves, as well as in the surrounding soft tissue).
The initial symptoms of a herniated disc can be identified using the methods of functional diagnostics.
Treatment of a herniated disc
Treatment of a herniated disc is better to start as early as possible. Apply methods of conservative therapy. For this purpose, appointed painkillers, relieving soft tissue swelling and improves nerve conduction drugs.
To remove the load on the spine and restore its function held its first fixation and traction, and then prescribe a course of medical gymnastics, massage, physiotherapy. All this is done as part of a treatment, in which the load is removed in the intervertebral disc, restores the correct operation of the back muscles that support the spine, and the sensitivity of the normal parts of the body concerned.
If, despite carried out adequate treatment, improvement does not occur, then performed surgery - removal of the modified portion of the intervertebral disc.
To prevent the emergence of a herniated disc, you need a child to give the spine enough attention: to prevent violations of posture in children, strengthen the back muscles that support the spine.