Many patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness
of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a
herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the
cushion that sits between the spinal vertebra is pushed
outside its normal position. A herniated disc would not
be a problem if it weren't for the spinal nerves that
are very close to the edge of these spinal discs.
What is the spinal disc?
The spinal disc is a soft cushion that sits between
each vertabrae of the spine. This spinal disc becomes
more rigid with age. In a young individual, the disc is
soft and elastic, but like so many other structures in
the body, the disc gradually looses its elasticity and
is more vulnerable to injury. In fact, even in
individuals as young as 30, MRIs show evidence of disc
deterioration in about 30% of people.
What happens with a 'herniated disc'?
As the spinal disc becomes less elastic, it can
rupture. When the disc ruptures, a portion of the spinal
disc pushes outside its normal boundary--this is called
a herniated disc. When a herniated disc bulges out from
between the vertebrae, the spinal nerves and spinal cord
can become pinched. There is normally a little extra
space around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, but if
enough of the herniated disc is pushed out of place,
then these structures may be compressed.
What causes symptoms of a herniated disc?
When the herniated disc ruptures and pushes out, the
nerves may become pinched. A herniated disc may occur
suddenly in an event such as a fall or an accident, or
may occur gradually with repetitive straining of the
spine. Often people who experience a herniated disc
already have spinal stenosis, a problem that causes
narrowing of the space around the spinal cord and spinal
nerves. When a herniated disc occurs, the space for the
nerves is further diminished, and irritation of the
nerve results.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
When the spinal cord or spinal nerves become
compressed, they don't work properly. This means that
abnormal signals may get passed from the compressed
nerves, or signals may not get passed at all. Common
symptoms of a herniated disc include: Electric Shock
Pain: Pressure on the nerve can cause abnormal
sensations, commonly experienced as electric shock
pains. When the compression occurs in the cervical
(neck) region, the shocks go down your arms, when the
compression is in the lumbar (low back) region, the
shocks go down your legs.
Tingling & Numbness: Patients often have abnormal
sensations such as tingling, numbness, or pins and
needles. These symptoms may be experienced in the same
region as painful electric shock sensations.
Muscle Weakness: Because of the nerve irritation,
signals from the brain may be interrupted causing muscle
weakness. Nerve irritation can also be tested by
examining reflexes.
Bowel or Bladder Problems: These symptoms are
important because it may be a sign of cauda equina
syndrome, a possible condition resulting from a
herniated disc. This is a medical emergency, and your
should see your doctor immediately if you have problems
urinating, having bowel movements, or if you have
numbness around your genitals.
All of these symptoms are due to the irritation of
the nerve from the herniated disc. By interfering with
the pathway by which signals are sent from your brain
out to your extremities and back to the brain, all of
these symptoms can be caused by a herniated disc
pressing against the nerves.
Anxiety.
When you're extremely upset or anxious, you're more
likely to develop a headache or worsen one you already
have.
Glare.
Treatment of a herniated disc depends on a number of
factors including: Patient symptoms Age
Activity level Presence of worsening symptoms
Most often, treatments of a herniated disc begin
conservatively, and become more aggressive if the
symptoms persist. After diagnosing a herniated disc,
treatment usually begins with:
Rest & Activity Modification The first
treatment is to rest and avoid activities that aggravate
your symptoms. Many disc herniations will resolve is
given time. In these cases, it is important to avoid
activities that aggravate your symptoms. Ice &
Heat Applications Ice and heat application can be
extremely helpful in relieving the painful symptoms of a
disc herniation. By helping to relax the muscles of the
back, ice and heat applications can relieve muscle spasm
and provide significant pain relief. Physical
Therapy Physical therapy and lumbar stabilization
exercises do not directly affect the herniated disc, but
they can stabilize the lumbar spine muscles. This has an
effect of decreasing the load experienced by the disc
and vertebrae. Stronger, well balanced muscles help
control the lumbar spine and minimize the risk or injury
to the nerves and the disc.
Noise.
High levels of noise and ongoing noisy conditions at
work or at home can cause a headache.
Eating & Sleeping Patterns.
Pay attention to when and how you eat and sleep.
Skipping meals or fasting is a major cause of
headaches—especially if you go without food for 5 waking
hours, or 13 nighttime hours. Your sleep
patterns—including naps during the day—are also
important. Getting too much sleep or too little sleep
can trigger a headache.
Medications.
Some prescription medications you take may have the
potential to trigger a headache. If you notice a pattern
of headaches related to when you take your medicine,
talk to your doctor about switching medicines.
Physical Activity.
Watch how much you push yourself. When you exercise
or do hard physical labor, the muscles in your head,
neck, and scalp need more blood to circulate. This
swells your blood vessels, which can lead to what's
called an "exertional headache."
Hormones.
For menstruating women, headaches and migraines are
closely tied to the levels of the female hormone
estrogen in the body. As your estrogen level
fluctuates,(especially just before menstruation when
it's at its lowest), headaches are more likely to occur.
Food Sensitivities.
Watch what you eat and drink. When you eat certain
foods, your brain releases neurotransmitters, which can
cause headaches in some people. Common headache-trigger
foods are different for everybody, but they may include:
aspartame, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, cultured dairy
products, dried fruits, cheese, smoked or dried fish,
canned soups, MSG (a food additive), and aged, canned,
cured, or processed meats.
High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure can often lead to headaches. We
must have our Blood pressure checked regularly and make
sure that hypertension does not go unchecked. If Blood
pressure is high and we have throbbing headaches, many
times these are caused by High Blood Pressure.
Medication for Blood Pressure may be a short or long
term solution to both the Blood Pressure and the
Headaches. Lifestyle modifications including reducing
body weight improved body conditioning , may be a long
term solution if Blood Pressure can be controlled or
affected by these modifications.
Sinus Pressure
Sinus Pressure can affect headaches. They can also
cause headaches as well. Sinus pressure can be due to
infections of the sinus cavities that are located within
the facial bones. If these are inflamed and or clogged
with mucous, this can cause frequent or constant
headaches. Growths of polyps within the sinus and or
nasal cavity can also be a cause of sinus abnormalities.
A proper examination and possible X-ray or other imaging
method may be necessary to diagnose sinus abnormality.
|