111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
111-29 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Your spine consists of 33 vertebral bones that are separated by gel-filled discs. These discs act as shock absorbers to protect the vertebrae. The discs also permit greater spinal flexibility by reducing friction between your vertebrae. The gel-like interior of the discs is surrounded by a hard casing, which can suffer damage and leaks over time. A herniated disc refers to when the soft interior of disc leaks out through the outer shell.
Herniated discs are a relatively common result of aging, as the daily wear and tear on your spine take a toll over time. The condition is also referred to as lumbar disc disease because the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back most frequently suffer the herniations. Your lower back carries most of your upper body weight, so the discs in this part of your spine are under greater stress.
While this spine condition affects both sexes, herniated discs tend to strike men more often than women. Twenty- to 50-year-olds are especially susceptible, as they are the most active age range. If you fall into this group, your best bet is to seek medical advice or even treatment from an orthopedic specialist as soon as you feel any back pain.
If you’re suffering from obesity, you may need to lose weight to take the extra pressure off your spine. Not only does obesity lead to medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, but all that additional weight wreaks havoc on your spine, whether you’re walking, standing or just sitting.
A nutritionist prescribes a weight loss program that’s suitable for you. It likely includes some form of exercise and eating a healthy diet with high-fiber foods. Your primary care doctor may suggest other ways to prevent herniated discs, as well, to get you to:
It’s not possible to prevent every instance of a herniated disc, as they occur from injuries and accidents, as well as from lifestyle choices. But you can decrease the chances of herniation through proper therapy. They’ll relieve the debilitating pain associated with herniated discs.
Many herniated discs are asymptomatic and won’t cause you any pain. You don’t even know they’re there. But when a nerve is pinched by the herniation, you feel debilitating pain that over-the-counter pain relievers can’t touch. Seek pain relief from doctors if you experience symptoms such as:
If the herniation is pinching a spinal nerve in the lumbar region of your back, you’re likely to suffer from sciatica. The sciatic nerve runs from your spine down your leg. When pinched, your leg pain can be intolerable.
In rare cases, herniated discs cause you to lose control of your bladder or bowels. This is a severe condition that requires immediate medical attention. Cauda equina syndrome occurs when a herniated disc compresses the bundle of nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord. Delay in treating this condition causes permanent weakness or even paralysis.
Your doctor usually starts with a conservative approach to treatment. Depending on your condition and diagnosis, your treatment plan may include:
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