Sciatica: symptoms, causes, to medicine • hello healthy

Definition

What is sciatica (sciatica)?

Sciatica or sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, down each leg. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of your body.

Sciatica is the condition most often occurs when a herniated disc, which is a bone spur in the spine or a narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) presses on a part of the nerve.

Quoted from the website of the United Kingdom public health service, the NHS, sciatica can recover with treatment without surgery in four to six weeks. However, the pain from the sciatica can be very severe.

How common is sciatica (sciatica)?

Sciatica is a condition that is often experienced by the elderly, who have chronic diabetes and are obese. Sciatica can be treated by reducing risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of sciatica (sciatica)?

The symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates from the lower spine (lumbar) to the buttocks and the back of the legs. You may feel discomfort along most of the nerve pathways, but it is usually felt in your lower back, buttocks, to the back of your thighs and calves.

These symptoms are worse when you walk, bend, sit for a long time, cough or sneeze, but will go away if you lie down.

The pain can be mild or may be a burning pain or tingling and pain that is even worse. Severe sciatica can make it difficult for you to walk or even not at all.

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you are concerned about the symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as:

• Pain or soreness after resting or after using painkillers
• Pain is felt for more than 1 week or more

You should be treated immediately if you:

• Suffering from severe pain or numbness, muscle fatigue in the waist
• Feeling pain because you have suffered a serious injury such as a traffic accident
• Having problems passing stools and urination

Cause

What causes sciatica (sciatica)?

Sciatica is a condition that occurs when the pelvic nerve is pinched, usually by a herniated disc in the spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) in your spine.

The disc has the task of reducing spinal shock, but in some cases, the disc can actually compress the hernia and nerves.

In certain cases, the nerves may be compressed by the tumor or become damaged by a disease, such as diabetes.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for sciatica (sciatica)?

The risk factors for sciatica are:

• Old age. Such an aging spine is a common cause of sciatica
• Obesity. Being overweight increases pressure on the spine which contributes to sciatica
• Diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage
• Profession. Jobs that require you to twist your back, carry heavy loads, or drive a motor vehicle for long periods of time.
• Sitting for a long time or not moving. Sitting too long and not moving around can increase your chances of developing sciatica

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for sciatica (sciatica)?

Treatment for sciatica depends on the cause and the degree of pain. In some cases, you can recover without treatment. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, here are treatment options that you can do if self-medication doesn't work for sciatica.

Drugs

The types of treatment your doctor may prescribe to treat sciatica are:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Muscle relaxation
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Anti-seizure drugs

Physical therapy

When your pain has improved, your doctor may also recommend physical therapy combined with exercise to help relieve pain. This is done to prevent repeated injuries.

Steroid injection

In some cases, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid treatment to the area around the affected nerve. Corticosteroids help reduce pain by suppressing inflammation around the irritated nerve.

Operation

If all the above methods do not work and the symptoms get worse, you should immediately undergo or part of the disc pinched by the pelvic nerve.

Although most people recover fully from sciatica, even without medical treatment. However, if untreated, sciatica can cause permanent nerve damage. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Loss of feeling in the sore leg
• Weakness in the affected leg
• Loss of bowel or bladder function.

What are the usual tests for this condition?

Doctors provide a diagnosis based on your medical history and a physical examination of your symptoms. These and other tests are usually not really necessary.

However, your doctor may order ask tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other tests if symptoms persist after treatment, and the doctor will consider surgery.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help treat sciatica (sciatica)?

For most people, sciatica can resolve with self-care. Lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with sciatica are:

• Cold compress. You may feel better after a cold compress for 20 minutes, several times a day. Use ice wrapped in a clean towel.
• Warm compress. After two to three days, apply a hot compress to the affected area. Use a warm compress, lamp, or heating pad. If you experience constant pain, try alternating compresses.
• Stretch. Lower back stretching exercises can help you relieve nerve pressure caused by the sciatica.
• Drugs. Painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), sometimes help relieve your condition.

Prevention

What steps can I take to prevent sciatica (sciatica)?

Sciatica is not always preventable and this condition may recur. However, steps that might prevent you from sciatica are:

• Regular exercise. Ask your doctor to determine which exercises are good for your back strength
• Maintain correct posture when you sit down. Choose a seat with good lower back support
• Use your body wisely. If you are standing for a long time, rest one leg on a stool or small box. If you are lifting something heavy, use your lower leg as a support.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to find out the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.