If the sciatic nerve pain

The sciatic nerve - a very large nerve that supplies the entire lower limb match he can so that the patient does not want to eat or sleep, can not find a position in which the pain would be reduced. Pain in the sciatic nerve often bring patients to the neuroses.

Why can hurt the sciatic nerve

Most often the cause of pain is neuralgia - the defeat of the sciatic nerve is not, and covering his shell. The cause of neuralgia can be a traumatic effect on the nerve trunk or root. This occurs against various diseases of the spine, including anomalies of development, resulting in the compression of the spinal cord. Compresses the sciatic nerve can also in other places, for example, at the point of exit of the pelvis, or at any other location in the development of such tumors, both in the nerve and in the surrounding tissues.

But most of sciatica Sciatica - and if it will affect the spine?   It appears on the background microtraumas associated with heavy physical exercise, especially in combination with hypothermia. Therefore, sciatica are particularly vulnerable to people who are engaged in power sports with weight lifting (weightlifting, bodybuilding, paerlifting).

Neuralgia of the sciatic nerve can occur when infectious diseases (brucellosis, tuberculosis, herpes zoster), with some infectious-allergic diseases of the nervous system (multiple sclerosis, polyradiculoneuritis), intoxication (heavy metals, bacterial toxins, certain medications, toxic metabolic products in violation liver and kidney function, decomposition products of tumors).

Neuralgia of the sciatic nerve can occur in chronic alcoholism, diabetes, metabolic disorders, poor circulation in the place where nerve - for all those suffering from metabolic conditions Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting   in neural tissue.

Especially often it happens in old age, on the background of various vascular changes in the sciatic nerve. Children neuralgia almost never occur.

The characteristics of pain in the sciatic nerve

Pain in the sciatic nerve can be sharp, burning, stabbing and cutting. They usually occur suddenly and disappear just as suddenly. But sometimes the pain can be constant with periodic exacerbations. The localization of the pain corresponds to the area of ​​innervation of the sciatic nerve.

The attack of neuralgia can begin after physical or emotional stress, as well as after exposure. Sometimes the pain occurs at night during sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams   and if the patient suffers from insomnia and more. After an attack of pain are only sometimes in pain points: between the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae, in the middle of the buttocks, in the popliteal fossa. In the course of the sciatic nerve may change skin sensitivity, it may increase or, conversely, decrease.

Attacks of pain may be accompanied by vegetative disorders (the autonomic nervous system supplies the blood vessels) in the form of redness, swelling of the skin, disorders of sweating (sweating is particularly evident in the area of ​​the foot). Severe pain can cause even fainting.

Severe pain is also accompanied by protective muscle tension, forced position of the body (the patient tries to rely only on his good leg), gait disturbance.

Treatment

If such pain occurs in the elderly, it is necessary to cure disease - atherosclerosis, high blood pressure. To improve the metabolism in nervous tissue prescribe vitamins B1, B12, E, vitamin-mineral complexes.

In the acute period prescribed ointments, skin receptors and blocking distractions - and bee venom, pain ointments, novocaine blockade. Analgesics are administered by injection, rectal suppositories, tablets for oral administration. To the patient was able to sleep, appointed hypnotics and sedatives.

From physical therapy prescribed UHF, ultraviolet irradiation of the affected area until the light burns (erythema), diadynamic currents, electro- and phonophoresis with anesthetics electrosleep. Assist and reflexology sessions (acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion).

The state is acute if it lasts long enough, it is shown a spa treatment with carrying out water and mud Mud - a pleasant and useful procedure .

Pain in the sciatic nerve and can be treated, otherwise the disease may progress to the next stage - an inflammation of the nerve, and the disease is more difficult to treat.

Symptoms of sciatica

• Numbness and muscle weakness along the sciatic nerve. Sometimes pain localized in one part of the leg numbness in - another.
• Tingling sensation in the toes or forefoot.
• Pain radiating to the lower back, hips, and back of the leg - the most common symptom of sciatica Symptoms of sciatica when the pain intensifies . They may present as severe discomfort and may be burning, sharp and very strong. When coughing, sneezing and prolonged sitting pain can increase.
• Loss of control of bladder emptying Urinary bladder - structure and function   and intestines in conjunction with other symptoms of sciatica can be a sign of a serious breach, which is called the cauda equina syndrome. Patients with such symptoms should immediately consult your doctor.

Causes

The sciatic nerve controls many muscles in the lower legs and provides the sensitivity of the hips, legs and feet. In sciatica can be a lot of reasons.

• Lumbar spinal stenosis - a narrowing of one or more parts of the spine in the lumbar region. When there is narrowing, the sciatic nerve is affected and the nerve roots of the lumbosacral plexus.
• Spondylolisthesis - a condition that is often the result of a degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs. The displaced at the same time the vertebrae pinch the sciatic nerve The sciatic nerve: how to avoid the excruciating pain? , Causing inflammation begins.
• Piriformis syndrome. Piriformis muscle begins in the lower back and is connected to each of the femur. Piriformis syndrome develops when the pear-shaped mouse becomes hard or cramps occur in it - it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing inflammation, pain and numbness. Prolonged sitting and various injuries can lead to the development porfiris syndrome.
• Tumors in the spine. In the spine, tumors can develop in the spinal cord in the membranes that surround it, or in the space between the spinal cord and spinal discs. With the growth of the tumor will be more and more pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Injury. Clamping and sciatica can be a consequence of injury, including spinal injury.

Risk factors

The following factors increase the risk of the patient's sciatica:

• Age. Different age-related changes affecting the spine, can cause inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Intervertebral discs, usually in varying degrees, have worn for 40 years.
• Profession. If the person has often bend down to lift and carry heavy loads or sitting for a long time, the risk of sciatica had greatly increased.
• Passive lifestyle. Those who have little moves, sciatica develops more frequently than in physically active people.
• Diabetes significantly increases the risk of a variety of nerve damage.

Complications

Most people cure sciatica without problems, but in some patients, this condition causes severe complications:

• Loss of sensation in the affected leg
• Loss of mobility in the affected leg
• The deterioration of the functioning of the bladder and intestines.