Sciatica is a medical condition that causes sciatic nerve pain along the nerves in the lower back, lower legs and bottom. It is one of the longest nerves in the body, so it stretches from the back to each leg. Normally, this nerve is responsible for the sensations felt through the feet, thighs and legs.
Unfortunately, this medical condition is fairly common, so many people in Jacksonville, Florida are likely to experience at some point. It is difficult to get a diagnosis because this condition is actually a way to describe certain symptoms. A different medical condition is normally the cause of the irritation and Sciatic nerve pain. These symptoms normally affect people between the ages of 30 an 50 years old. It often develops following …show more content…
Sudden movements can make the pain worse. Individuals often find that the pain is worse after bending over, sitting for a long time or sneezing.
What Causes This Condition?
There are many different causes of this condition. All of them involve causing damaged to the lumbar region of the back. Spinal disks are intended to cushion and support the spine so that it remains flexible. A ruptured or herniated disc can cause this cushioning effect to stop. As humans age, the spinal discs naturally begin to deteriorate. They may become more brittle, dry out or take on a flatter shape.
Over time, tiny tears in the discs can cause the jelly-like substance inside to leak out. Once this happens, the herniated disc presses against the nerve. This causes the nerve to send pain signals to the mind about tingling or weakness. Other than general wear and tear, this condition can develop due to:
Spondylolisthesis: A vertebra moves over another vertebrae and causes a pinched nerve.
Degenerative Disc Disease: During aging, the disc changes shape and causes pain.
Trauma: A car accident, injury or a fall injuries the nerves in the body.
Spinal Stenosis: The spinal canal becomes narrowed, which puts extra pressure on the nerves and spinal …show more content…
In unusual instances, the compressed nerves may cause bladder or bowel function to be uncontrollable. If this happens, you need to get medical attention immediately.
Diagnosis
If you believe that you have a problem with the sciatic nerve, you should visit your doctor at once. The doctor will begin by taking down your entire medical history. You will have to discuss when the pain started and the type of pain. The doctor will also want you to describe the types of activities that increase or decrease the pain's intensity. Depending on the medical history and pain description, the doctor may want to conduct a physical or neurological exam. You may be asked to do activities that test your muscle strength and reflexes.
On occasion, your doctor may want to perform additional tests like a CT scan, MRI or x-ray. This may be done to rule out any other causes for the pain like a spinal infection or a tumor. If your pain does not lessen after two months of treatment, your doctor may order additional tests to rule out any possible causes.
Do I Need Medication or
Unfortunately, this medical condition is fairly common, so many people in Jacksonville, Florida are likely to experience at some point. It is difficult to get a diagnosis because this condition is actually a way to describe certain symptoms. A different medical condition is normally the cause of the irritation and Sciatic nerve pain. These symptoms normally affect people between the ages of 30 an 50 years old. It often develops following …show more content…
Sudden movements can make the pain worse. Individuals often find that the pain is worse after bending over, sitting for a long time or sneezing.
What Causes This Condition?
There are many different causes of this condition. All of them involve causing damaged to the lumbar region of the back. Spinal disks are intended to cushion and support the spine so that it remains flexible. A ruptured or herniated disc can cause this cushioning effect to stop. As humans age, the spinal discs naturally begin to deteriorate. They may become more brittle, dry out or take on a flatter shape.
Over time, tiny tears in the discs can cause the jelly-like substance inside to leak out. Once this happens, the herniated disc presses against the nerve. This causes the nerve to send pain signals to the mind about tingling or weakness. Other than general wear and tear, this condition can develop due to:
Spondylolisthesis: A vertebra moves over another vertebrae and causes a pinched nerve.
Degenerative Disc Disease: During aging, the disc changes shape and causes pain.
Trauma: A car accident, injury or a fall injuries the nerves in the body.
Spinal Stenosis: The spinal canal becomes narrowed, which puts extra pressure on the nerves and spinal …show more content…
In unusual instances, the compressed nerves may cause bladder or bowel function to be uncontrollable. If this happens, you need to get medical attention immediately.
Diagnosis
If you believe that you have a problem with the sciatic nerve, you should visit your doctor at once. The doctor will begin by taking down your entire medical history. You will have to discuss when the pain started and the type of pain. The doctor will also want you to describe the types of activities that increase or decrease the pain's intensity. Depending on the medical history and pain description, the doctor may want to conduct a physical or neurological exam. You may be asked to do activities that test your muscle strength and reflexes.
On occasion, your doctor may want to perform additional tests like a CT scan, MRI or x-ray. This may be done to rule out any other causes for the pain like a spinal infection or a tumor. If your pain does not lessen after two months of treatment, your doctor may order additional tests to rule out any possible causes.
Do I Need Medication or