Lumbar sciatica - a common disorder that causes pain and often in the legs. Why is he there and what treatments will help with lumbar radiculitis?
Symptoms of lumbar sciatica
The most common symptom of this disorder - back pain radiating to the leg. In most cases, the pain is dull and weak or moderate, but during bouts of sciatica, it can be severe and very severe. Some patients with acute exacerbation of lumbar sciatica completely unable to work because of the pain, and even are forced to seek emergency medical care. Symptoms of the disease also is muscle weakness (usually in the legs), numbness, tingling.
The earliest signs of lumbar sciatica can be a slight tingling sensation in the back pain and weak, sometimes appearing during work and training; usually both of these symptoms disappear after a short rest.
Causes of lumbar sciatica
Lumbar sciatica usually develops as a result of the displacement of the intervertebral discs and pinched spinal nerves. Normally, these wheels provide the flexibility and mobility of the spine, the vertebrae and prevent friction against each other. If the intervertebral discs are displaced, they can start to put pressure on the spinal nerves, causing more or less severe pain. The risk of lumbar sciatica is particularly high in smokers, males, patients middle-aged and elderly, those who suffer from obesity, diabetes, infectious diseases of the spine, as well as people who are engaged in heavy physical labor or professional sports.
Diagnostics
First of all, the doctor asks the patient complaining of back pain, as detailed as possible to describe their symptoms - localization of pain and some other factors will often help make the correct diagnosis. After a preliminary examination, the doctor may prescribe the following diagnostic procedures:
- Blood test. With it, you can not find a pinched spinal nerve roots, but it is possible to identify certain infections that can cause sciatica, and eliminate a number of other disorders;
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This procedure allows to consider in detail the spine and its internal structure. Before you go for an MRI, you need to take off any metal jewelry. If you have metal implants, tell your doctor;
- Radiography reveals many spinal injuries, although it is less accurate than MRI;
- Electromyography is used to test the functioning of muscles and nerves that control them;
- Computed tomography. This procedure can be used contrast agent, facilitating the interpretation of the images.
Treatment of lumbar sciatica
The primary goal of treatment for lumbar sciatica is pain relief and restoration of the former quality of life of the patient.
Drug treatment of sciatica
Treatment for sciatica - medical approach
the lumbar. Most often used for the relief of pain in this violation are used NSAIDs. They are considered to be relatively safe, but they should not take too long, because in some cases, this group of drugs may cause stomach bleeding and problems with the liver. If the patient complains of cramping, he may prescribe muscle relaxants. In case of very severe pain, your doctor may prescribe opioid painkillers, and if the pain is accompanied by severe inflammation may require oral steroids. Injections in the lumbar radiculitis appointed quite rare - as a rule, it is necessary in very severe pain that can not facilitate other means. Steroid preparations are administered into the epidural space, and in most cases the pain goes away after the first injection.
Electromyostimulation, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - another way of conservative treatment of lumbar sciatica. During this procedure, the patient's skin is applied electrodes through which an electric current is applied weak. It stimulates nerve endings and thus alleviates pain and other symptoms of sciatica
Symptoms of sciatica - what could be the manifestation
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Surgical treatment is usually given only in cases where symptoms persist for 4-6 weeks of conservative treatment. In addition, surgery may be required if acute lumbar sciatica occurred in a patient more than once.
Treatment of lumbar sciatica folk remedies. One of the simplest and most popular folk remedies for lumbar sciatica are hot and cold compresses. Those and other well relieve the pain, but act differently. Which do you compress - decide, based on their own experience: in any case, the harm from them will not. The easiest way to make a compress as follows: soak a towel with hot or cold water, attach it to the back, and the top tie up another towel or handkerchief. Change the compress when it begins to heat up or, conversely, cool. You can also use a heating pad, ice (do not apply it directly to the skin, and wrapped in a towel) package of frozen vegetables.
Probably one of the most enjoyable and easy to use folk remedies for treatment of lumbar sciatica - Essential Oil
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fir. Take a hot shower or a bath, and then rub a few drops in the lower back with aromatic oils.
Leaves mug - available natural cure for sciatica. Tear off a few leaves of burdock (preferably collect it in places far away from busy roads and large settlements), wash them with warm water and a little dab hands attach to the waist, then tie waist wide scarf or handkerchief.
Before bedtime
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it is recommended to take a warm (not hot!) bath with mustard powder. After the bath, wrap a scarf or waist woolen scarf, and immediately go to bed.