Common Causes of Herniated Discs

1. Common Causes of Herniated Discs www.ketasmahajan.com

2. When you’re experiencing pain in your upper back or neck that you haven’t experienced before, it could be a herniated disk. While it may worry you, it’s not an uncommon health issue as you get older. You may even develop the condition and not have any symptoms.

3. Are herniated discs common?

4. The incidence rate of herniated discs is around five to 20 cases per 1,000 adult individuals yearly. They are often found in individuals in their 30s through their 50s, with a 2:1 male to female ratio.

5. What Is a Herniated Disc?

6. A herniated disc is a common and potentially debilitating and painful condition. It’s also referred to as disc prolapse or slipped disc. Sometimes it can cause: Pain Weakness in the limbs Numbness

7. How Does a Disc Become Herniated?

8. When you experience a disc herniation, the cushion sitting between your spinal vertebra gets pushed outside its regular position. A herniated disc wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for your spinal nerves being so close to the edge of your cushioning discs.

9. Your spinal disc is a soft cushion sitting between each spinal vertebra. The spinal disc starts becoming more rigid as you age. It’s soft and elastic in younger individuals, but like with other body structures, it gradually loses its elasticity and becomes more susceptible to injury.

10. When your spinal disc starts becoming less elastic, it can rupture, and this can push a section of your spinal disc outside its regular boundary — thus becoming herniated. As a herniated disc starts bulging out from between your vertebrae, it can pinch your spinal cord and spinal nerves. There’s generally a little extra space around your spinal nerves and spinal cord, but if enough of the herniated disc pushes out of place, it may compress these structures.

11. What Are the Symptoms of Herniated Discs?

12. As the herniated disc becomes ruptured and pushes out, it can pinch the nerves. You can develop a herniated disc suddenly after an accident or a fall, or it can come on slowly with repetitive spine straining.

13. Many people who develop herniated discs already have spinal stenosis, an issue causing narrowing of the space around your spinal nerves and spinal cord. With the occurrence of a herniated disc, the space for your nerves diminishes even further, causing nerve irritation.

14. When there’s compression of your spinal nerves and spinal cord, the nerves might not work properly and start sending abnormal signals — or no signals at all — to and from your brain.

15. Some common herniated disc symptoms are:

16. Electric shock pain: Nerve pressure can lead to abnormal sensations, often felt like electric shock pains. When you have compression in your neck (cervical) regions, the shocks radiate down your arms. If it’s in your low back (lumbar) region, they go down your legs.

17. Tingling and numbness: You might experience abnormal sensations like numbness, tingling or pins and needles. You may experience these symptoms in the same area as you do the painful electric shock sensations.

18. Muscle weakness: Nerve irritation could interrupt your brain signals, causing muscle weakness. Your Spine Institute of North America doctor can test for nerve irritation by examining your reflexes.

19. Bowel or bladder problems: These symptoms could indicate a possible condition known as cauda equina syndrome. It’s a medical emergency, and you need to see your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing numbness around your genitals or are having issues with bowel movements or urinating.

20. Contact Us (+91) 9313348477 www.ketasmahajan.com drketasmahajan@gmail.com Shukan Multi Speciality Hospital, Near Amit Nagar Circle, Karelibaugh Vadodara, India