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Slipped Disc Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Slipped Disc: Nowadays many people are affected by the problem of back pain. Not only this, sometimes people ignore it as a common pain. However, sometimes this simple back pain can be a sign of a serious slip disc. Although the problem of slipped disc is seen in the elderly, in today’s time this problem has become common among the youth as well. In such a situation, it is necessary to treat the problem of a slipped disc by detecting the symptoms of slip in time.

What is Slip Disc?

The spine of our body is made up of 26 bones. In between these vertebrae are soft flexible disc pads filled with a jelly-like substance. These discs can connect bones as well as help them stay flexible and in place. These disc pads have two parts. The inner part is gel-like, while the other is the outer ring. These disc pads slip out of place due to injury or weakness, this is also called slip disc or herniated disc. In addition, if a spinal nerve is pinched due to a slipped disc, it can cause severe pain and numbness.

Symptoms of Slip Disc

Slip disc pain is mostly on one side of the body. Symptoms can vary depending on the location of the injury.

Some of these symptoms are as follows: –

A slipped disc can cause severe pain in one part of the leg, hip, or buttocks, occurring in the lower back. In addition, numbness may be felt in other parts of the body. Weakness may be felt in the leg on the side where the pain is felt.
If there is a problem of slip disc in the neck, then pain can be felt when moving the neck. There may be deep pain near or above the shoulder blades. Not only this, the pain can go up to the arm, wrist, and fingers. The person may also feel numbness in their shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
There may be pain or pain in the injured area after standing or sitting. Sometimes this pain can start slowly and later become intense.
There may also be pain in the affected area when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
Pain can also be felt when bending backward or walking a distance.
Pain may also be felt when inhaling or holding breath, such as when passing a bowel movement.
There may also be some muscle weakness. Sometimes, a person may not notice it until a doctor examines it. In some cases, the person may have difficulty lifting their leg or arm, standing on their toes on one side, squeezing tightly with one hand, or other problems.

Causes and Risk Factors of Slip Disc

There can be many reasons for a slipped disc, some of them are listed below

Gel leaking from the spinal disc.
Decreased elasticity of the spinal discs due to aging.
lift something heavy
Any accident or injury.
Excess body weight
Frequent bending of the lower back.
Sitting in one position for a long time.
Bad lifestyle.
To smoke

Diagnosis of Slip Disc

To get rid of the problem of slip disc, it is important to recognize its symptoms first.

In such a situation, here we are going to tell information related to the diagnosis of slip disc. The ways in which a doctor can diagnose a slipped disc are described in the article below. Which are as follows: –

1. Knowing the symptoms by inquiry

First of all, the doctor can take information from the patient about his symptoms. The doctor may ask about the patient’s medical history. Symptoms of a slipped disc may ask about numbness or numbness. Also, you can get information about his lifestyle and habits.

Physical examination: Once the symptoms and lifestyle are known, the doctor may do some physical examination of the patient. These include:

Muscle strength can test their reactions.
Can be asked to sit, stand and walk.
You can ask to bend back and forth to the right and left.
Can advise to tilt the neck forward, backward, right-left.
The patient may be asked to lift the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Sitting can ask to raise the leg. If pain is felt in the legs in this condition, then it can be a sign of slip disc in the lower back.
You can ask to tilt the head forward. During this, the doctor will press lightly on the head forward. Increased pain or numbness during this time may be a possibility of a slipped disc in the neck.

2. On the basis of CT scan and MRI

On the basis of physical examination, an MRI or CT scan of the affected area may be advised. This test can confirm how the nerves of the body are being affected in place of the slipped disc. However, it may be advisable to do this after knowing about the symptoms seen in the article above.

3. X-ray

Slip disc cannot be diagnosed by X-ray only, but to check the quality of spinal cord and what is causing the problem of back pain. To get this information, the doctor may recommend an X-ray.

4. Electromyography Test

In the diagnosis of slip disc, the doctor may recommend an electromyography test. This test is done to check the health of the muscles. In this test, the sensor electrode (a needle), which is attached to a monitor, is inserted into the affected muscle of the patient, and its communication is measured in the nerves. Light electric shocks are also applied during the test.

5. Nerve Conduction Velocity

This test can be done to know the severity of the slipped disc. This test can also be done along with the electromyography test. Adhesive patches called electrodes are used in this. By applying these on the affected part, the changes in the nerve are seen through the graph.

Treatment of Slip Disc

After diagnosis, now it is time to know about the treatment of slipped discs. Once the doctor diagnoses a slipped disc, depending on its severity, may suggest the following treatments. Some of these treatments for slip disc are as follows:

1. Physiotherapy and rest

If the problem of slip disc is not serious, then as a primary treatment, the doctor may recommend rest and, in some cases, under the supervision of experts, physiotherapy therapy like – certain types of exercises, etc. Most people who follow these treatments properly can recover quickly and return to their normal activities.

2. Medicines

Along with therapy and rest, the doctor may suggest some medicines such as painkillers, medicines that relax the nerves and relax the muscles and reduce spasms.

3. Lifestyle changes

If someone is overweight and due to this there has been a problem of slip disc, then the doctor can suggest diet and exercise improve the slip disc or back pain caused by it. During this, the physiotherapist can teach the patient to get up, sit, dress, walk and perform other activities properly. They will teach you how to strengthen the muscles, to help support the spine. Not only this, but patients will also learn how to increase flexibility in the spine and legs.

4. Injection

In some cases, when the medicine does not have much effect, then the doctor can also do the treatment through steroid injection. Injections can help control pain for several months. These injections can reduce the swelling around the spinal nerves and discs and can provide relief from many symptoms. However, the pain may return a few months after the injection.

5. Massage

On medical advice, a light massage can be done by an expert. By doing this the muscles can be relaxed. Keep in mind that do not massage vigorously and if you feel the slightest discomfort, stop the massage immediately.

6. Cold or hot compress

Hot water compressor lukewarm bath can also be useful in mild problem of slip disc. This can relax the muscles. At the same time, cold water or ice packs can also provide relief. A cold compress can soothe the affected vein.

7. Surgery

If the symptoms of slip disc do not subside even after these treatments, then surgery may also be an option. Especially if the problem of slip disc has been there for more than 6 weeks, surgery may be advised to reduce the pressure on the affected vein. Surgery may also be an option if the bladder or bowels stop working properly and the muscles are too weak.

Prevention Tips for Slip Disc

There are some things to keep in mind to prevent slipped disc. In such a situation, below in the article, we are sharing the ways to avoid slip disc, which are as follows:

Do not allow the body to gain too much weight. This can reduce the pressure on the lower back.
Exercise to keep the back and abdominal muscles strong. Keep in mind, do yoga or exercise only under the supervision of a specialist.
Pay attention to the sitting position.
Use the correct technique for lifting weights.
Keep away from smoking and consumption of alcohol.
Take proper diet.
Do not consume foods high in fat or calories.

Hopefully, the detailed information about the problem of slipped disc mentioned in this article will prove to be useful for the readers. If there is constant pain in the back or if you feel the above-mentioned symptoms, then pay attention to it in time, as these can be symptoms of slip disc. Give priority to medical treatment for this problem.

Source: Stylecraze

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