StrictionD - When should I worry about a herniated disc?
by arvin juliana (2021-10-29)
Although this pathology can occur at any age and in any sector of the spine, in 90% of cases it occurs in the lumbar area and is more common in people between 30 and 55 years of age.
What is a herniated disc?
To correctly understand what we call "herniated disc" we must recognize the two fundamental structures that make up our spine:
• Vertebrae: They are small bone structures that have a hole in their center and are arranged one on top of the other forming a column. The spinal cord passes through the "vertebral foramina" and is protected by the rigid body of the vertebrae. In total there are 33, and we can divide them according to their location into: cervical (7), dorsal (12), lumbar (5), sacral (5) and coccygeal (4).
• Intervertebral discs: As their name indicates, they are elastic discs that are found between each of the vertebrae, except for the sacral and coccygeal ones that do not have them. Inside they are composed of liquid, and outside they have a ring of rigid fibrous tissue that contains it. Its main function is to allow the flexible movements of the spine and cushion the pressures that act on it.
Once these aspects are known, we define a herniated disc as the rupture or fissure of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, causing the fluid inside to escape. This can cause a change in the position of the vertebrae and sometimes the herniated disc puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Why do herniated discs occur?
The rupture of the fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc can occur for many causes: genetic predisposition, forced labor, lifting heavy loads combined with bad posture, blows, falls, etc.
Production Mechanism
The intervertebral discs, after childhood, absorb the nutrients and fluids they need thanks to compression movements (when there is a force acting on the spine, for example, gravity, when standing) and relaxation (when sitting) or lying down).
Over the years and sedentary lifestyle, the discs gradually lose their elasticity, and by not receiving the necessary amount of nutrients, they become more rigid. In this way they are prone to injury when a lot of pressure is applied on them, and as a consequence the disc herniation will occur.
Risk factor's
There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of herniated discs. Among the most important are:
• Genetics: As we said in previous paragraphs, there are many people who have a genetic predisposition to develop alterations in the intervertebral discs, although they are the minority of cases.
• Work activity: All tasks that consist of making efforts for several hours a day, increase the possibility of suffering herniated discs over the years. Activities such as pushing heavy objects, bearing weight on the shoulders and head, or making sudden movements of the trunk, are examples of risk factors.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Remaining seated most of the day contributes greatly to suffering from alterations of the spine. The fact of not doing physical activity produces a rapid deterioration of the intervertebral discs.
• Being overweight: We know that the cause of herniated discs is the rupture of the fibrous ring due to the application of excessive forces on the spine. Being overweight puts extra pressure on the spine, facilitating the development of the disease.
Signs and symptoms of herniated discs
The symptoms that a person with a herniated disc will manifest can be many. It will largely depend on the size of the hernia and the position it is in.
In the smallest, the disc usually does not move and there is no contact with the spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Therefore, they are asymptomatic (do not produce symptoms) and are diagnosed by chance during routine tests or for other causes.
When they are larger, they can cause mild or very severe symptoms, depending on the displacement of the disc (or its content) and the region involved.
Almost all herniated discs occur in the lumbar spine and a very small number are cervical. This is due to the fact that the pressure of the forces is greater in the lumbar area, and it is also the region with less mobility of the entire vertebral axis.
Some of the most frequent symptoms according to the affected area are:
• Cervical hernia: Headache, dizziness, nausea, pain and altered sensitivity in the shoulder, arms and hands.
• Lumbar hernia: Shooting pain in the lower back that can radiate to the thigh, leg and foot. Muscle weakness, impaired sensation in the legs, and in some more severe cases, loss of sphincter control.
Diagnosis
For an accurate diagnosis, the most important thing is the visit to the specialist doctor who will carry out a questioning and physical examination of the patient. In the interrogation there are key aspects to take into account such as the type of pain, the area it affects, the movements that are limited, etc.
To confirm the presence of a herniated disc, the professional will request a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this way, diseases that behave similarly to a herniated disc can be ruled out.
Do herniated discs have a solution?
The herniated discs mild to moderate treated with medication to relieve pain and inflammation in the area and rest. It is advisable to progressively return to activities that require a large number of movements and to carry out a kinesiological plan to stabilize and strengthen the spine.
Approximately between 5% and 10% of cases require surgery, and are those hernias that present great displacement and nervous compromise. An incision is made through which part of the herniated disc is removed to free the affected area. The pain disappears in almost all cases, although it can return after the intervertebral disc heals.
The two keys to preventing a herniated disc
When talking about musculoskeletal pathologies, the most important thing is prevention, so here are some ways to prevent the deterioration of intervertebral cartilage:
• Physical exercise: The recommended activities are walking and swimming. By strengthening the core muscles, both the back and the abdominal muscles, the spine remains more stable. In addition, any physical activity without impact (jogging, running, soccer, etc.) will keep the intervertebral discs properly nourished.
• Activities of daily living: We must avoid jobs where excessive loads are carried out. We should always opt for ergonomic chairs in office jobs or those that require sitting for a long time.
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https://signalscv.com/2021/10/strictiond-shark-tank-reviews-turn-on-the-blood-sugar-switch/
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