Description

Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve that goes from the buttocks and down each leg.

Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk or a bone overgrowth puts pressure on the lumbar area of the spine, the nerve roots. This occurs "upstream" in the sciatic nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.

Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, in those cases that are caused by a herniated disc can clarify with the treatment in a couple of weeks to months. People who have sciatica severe and severe leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes could require surgery.

Symptoms

Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway. It's especially likely to follow a path from the low back to your buttock and the back of a thigh and the calf.

The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain. Sometimes it feels like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when you cough or sneeze, or sitting a long time. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body.

Some people also have numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. A part of the leg may be in pain, while the other hand may feel numb.

When to see a doctor

Mild sciatica usually goes away with time. Call your primary care professional if self-care measures do not relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if the pain lasts more than a week, is severe or gets worse. Seek immediate medical attention for:

  • Numbness or muscle weakness in the leg.
  • The pain after an injury violent, like a traffic accident.
  • Difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder.

Causes

Sciatica occurs when the nerve roots of the sciatic nerve to become pinched. The cause is usually a disc herniation in the spine or by an overgrowth of the bones, sometimes called bone spurs in the bones of the spine. More rarely, a tumor can put pressure on the nerve.

Risk factors

Risk factors for sciatica include:

  • Age. People ages 20 to 50 years old are the most likely to have a herniated disc. Bone spurs develop more commonly as people age.
  • Obesity. Being overweight increases the pressure on the spine.
  • Of the occupation. A job that requires twisting of the back, and the transport of heavy loads or driving of a motor vehicle for long periods of time can play a role in disc herniations.
  • Sitting for a long time. The people who sit a lot or don't move much more likely to develop a hernia of disc in place of the asset are the people.
  • Diabetes. This condition, which affects the way the body uses sugar in the blood, increases the risk of damage to the nerves.

Complications

Most people will fully recover from sciatica caused by herniated discs, often without treatment. But sciatica can cause damage to the nerves. Seek immediate medical attention for:

  • Loss of sensation in the affected leg.
  • Weakness in the affected leg.
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control.

Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent sciatica, and the condition can return. To protect your back:

  • Exercise regularly. Keep your back strong, the work of the core muscles — the muscles in the abdomen and lower back needed for good posture and alignment. A health professional may recommend activities.
  • Maintain a good posture when sitting. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. For a better under support for your back, place a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its normal curve. Keep the knees and hips level.
  • The use of your body properly. When standing for long periods of time, rest one foot on a stool or a small box from time to time. When you lift something heavy, let your legs do the work. Keep the load close to your body. Do not lift and twist at the same time. Find someone to help you lift heavy or awkward things.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, a health care provider may check your muscle strength and reflexes. For example, you may be asked to walk on your toes or heels, rise from a squatting position, and lift the legs one at a time while lying on her back.

Tests

People with severe pain or pain that does not improve within a couple of weeks you may need:

  • X-ray. An x-ray of the spine may reveal several mechanical changes that can affect the size of the holes where the nerve roots exit the spine.
  • The magnetic resonance imaging. This procedure uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of the back. An mri produces detailed images of the soft tissues, as well herniated discs and pinched nerves show in the scan.
  • CTscan. To have a ct scan may require a contrast medium is injected into the spinal canal before the X-ray ( CT myelogram). The dye, then moves around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, making them easier to see in the images.
  • Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of the muscles. This test can confirm how severe injury of a nerve root is.

Treatment

For pain that does not improve with self-care measures, some of the following treatments may help.

Drugs

The types of drugs that could be used to treat the pain of sciatica include:

  • Anti-inflammatory.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Antidepressants.
  • Anti-seizure medications.
  • Opioids.

Physical therapy

Once the pain improves, a health professional can design a program to help prevent future injuries. This normally includes exercises to correct posture, strengthen the core, and improve range of motion.

Steroid injections

In some cases, an injection of a corticosteroid medication in the area around the nerve root that is causing the pain can help. Often, an injection that helps to reduce the pain. Up to three can be taken in a year.

Surgery

Surgeons can remove the bone spur or part of the herniated disc that is pressing on the nerve. But the surgery is usually done only when the sciatica causes severe weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or pain that does not improve with other treatments.

Lifestyle and home remedies

For most people, sciatica responds to self-care measures. Although resting for a day or so can provide relief, while remaining idle to make the symptoms worse.

Other self-care treatments that can help with are:

  • Cold packs. Place a cold compress on the painful area for 20 minutes several times a day. Use a bag of ice, or a package of frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel.
  • Warm compresses. After 2 to 3 days, apply heat to the areas that hurt. The use of hot compresses, a heat lamp or a heating pad on the lowest setting. For the pain continues, try using both warm and cold compresses, one at a time.
  • The stretch. Stretching exercises for the lower back can provide some relief. Try to hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds. Avoid jerking, bouncing or twisting during the stretch.
  • Drugs. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are sometimes helpful for sciatica. Use only as directed.

Alternative medicine

Alternative therapies, often used for low back pain are:

  • Acupuncture. The acupuncturist inserts hair-thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body. Some studies have suggested that acupuncture can help back pain, while others have found no benefit. If you decide to try acupuncture, choose a licensed professional.
  • Chiropractic. Chiropractors can make spinal adjustments or manipulations to restore the movement of the spine and reduce the pain. Manipulation of the spine that appears to work and to be as safe as the standard treatment for low back pain.
  • Massage therapy. Massage can help to loosen the largest muscles in the back and the hips that can be adjusted or having spasms.

Preparing for your appointment

Not everyone who has sciatica health care needs. If your symptoms are severe or last more than a month, make an appointment with your health care professional.

What you can do

  • Write down your symptoms and when they began.
  • The list of medical information, including other conditions you have and the names and doses of the medications, vitamins, or supplements you take.
  • Note recent accidents or injuries that could have damaged the back.
  • Have a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who accompanies you can help you remember the information that is obtained.
  • Write questions to ask their health professional.

For radiating lower back pain, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my back pain?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • Should I have surgery? Why or why not?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • What self-care measures should I take?
  • What can I do to keep my symptoms from coming back?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • Do you have numbness or weakness in the legs?
  • Do some body positions or activities make your pain better or worse?
  • How much of your pain limit your activities?
  • Do heavy physical work?
  • Do you exercise regularly? If so, what types of activities?
  • What treatments or self-care measures have you tried? Nothing has helped?
Symptoms and treatment of Sciatica