What is sciatica, it's symptoms, reasons and treatment
Sciatica is a pain-causing condition that originates in the lower back and moves down the leg to the foot.
Have you ever bent over to pick up something and suddenly felt a pain (from the back of the leg to the foot)? That’s a familiar situation for many people. If you've been through something like this, you know exactly how much discomfort it can cause. A common cause of such pain is sciatica.
WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica is a condition that causes pain, which arises in the lower back and moves down the leg to the foot. The pain proceeds along the path of the sciatic nerve - which is a large nerve. The large nerve starting from the lower spine extends from the back of the thigh to the knee, where it splits to form two other primary nerves - serving the lower legs and feet. Leg pain associated with sciatica is usually worse than low back pain.
CAUSES OF SCIATICA
Sciatica is a common symptom of many different medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 90 percent of cases are caused by a herniated disc. The spine consists of three parts:
- Disks
- Nerves
- Vertebrae – individual spinal bones that protect the underlying nerves
The discs are made up of cartilage, which is a strong and flexible material. Cartilage acts as a cushion between each vertebra and makes the spine flexible. A herniated disc occurs when the disc is pushed out of its proper position, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Other causes of sciatica include:
- Lumbar spine stenosis: narrowing of the spinal cord in the lower back.
- Spinal tumors: can compress the root of the sciatic nerve.
- Infection: eventually affecting the spine.
- Spondylolisthesis: a disc slips forward over the underlying vertebra.
- Other causes: for example, a spinal injury.
THE SYMPTOMS OF SCIATICA
The typical symptom of sciatica is pain, which radiates or shoots to the back of the leg and then spreads to the foot. Other signs and symptoms may include:
- Lower back pain (usually not as severe as leg pain)
- The weakness of the leg
- Pins and needles or numbness in the leg
- Pain worsens when sitting, sneezing, coughing, and defecation
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR SCIATICA?
The treatments for acute and chronic sciatica are separately described down below:
1. Acute Sciatica Treatments: Most cases of acute sciatica respond well to self-care measures, including:
- Over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen.
- Some light exercise, such as aerobics or walking.
- Cold or hot compression packs can relieve pain, and it's very helpful to switch between the two.
2. Chronic Sciatica Treatments: Treatment for chronic sciatica treatment typically includes a combination of medical treatment and some self-care measures:
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - helps control chronic pain by training people to respond differently to their pain
- Painkillers
- Steroid injections
- Surgery - might be an option if symptoms have not responded to other treatments and are getting worse
The Takeaway
In most cases, sciatica will go away on its own, and in the vast majority of cases, surgery is not necessary. About half of the people will recover within six weeks.
In some cases, sciatica can be prevented. There are many lifestyle changes that can reduce the chances of developing it.
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