Herniated Disc

The spine is very important to an individual; the spine affects one’s mobility. Every movement, every bend, and every extension of the body all depends on the spine. However, there are times when the spine gets injured, and one of those injuries is known as herniated discs. A herniated disc is when the disc cushioning your spine slips or ruptures; it can cause intense pain and limit your ability to move comfortably. This condition occurs in anyone, from young adults to seniors.

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc happens when the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer. When this happens, it causes pressure on nerves, which then causes numbness, weakening, and pain. A herniated disc can heal naturally; however, at times, it requires medical attention.

Causes and Risk Factors

Here are a few common causes and risk factors with herniated discs:

• Aging: The more you age, the more stress your spine has due to wear and tear.
   
• Injury or Trauma: Sometimes a quick movement, like lifting a box from an unusual angle, can cause trauma to the back, which causes a herniated disc. Other times, more serious things like an accident can also cause a herniated disc.
   
• Repetitive Movements: A poor posture might add more stress on the spine.
   
• Genetics: Some people are born with a genetic issue that makes their spine weak.
   
• Obesity: Being overweight can add an extra load on the spine.
   
• Lifestyle: Smoking, lack of physical activity, and everyday habits can cause further damage to your back, which makes you more prone to a herniated disc.
   

Common Symptoms

The common symptoms of a herniated disc can be divided between sections of the back. Firstly, Lumbar, which relates to the lower back—the symptoms of this include back pain, sciatica, leg weakness, and numbness. Another position where a herniated disc occurs is the upper back; this is known as Thoracic. Pain occurs in the middle of the back and can cause issues with balance. Lastly, Cervical—neck pain or numbness—which can also shoot down your arms and shoulders, ultimately causing tingling and numbing sensations in the fingers.

Diagnosis at Vibhavadi Hospital

At Vibhavadi Hospital, one can get comprehensive care for their back problems, including a herniated disc. The hospital takes care of everything from diagnosis to treatment and even rehab. The use of imaging test results like X-ray, MRI, and CT scan is further supported by nerve tests like EMG and NCS.

Once diagnosed, patients can take advantage of Vibhavadi Hospital’s experienced doctors and advanced technologies. Treatment for a herniated disc can be non-surgical or surgical, depending on the severity of the condition. Non-surgical treatments include medications like pain relievers, muscle relaxants, steroids, and nerve pain meds. Additionally, patients can also do physical therapy and get tips on how to better their lifestyle in order to deal with their herniated disc. Things like weight control, quitting smoking, and posture control are some changes that people can make to help with their condition.

If the herniated disc is a severe problem, surgical methods might have to come into play. A patient can go through microdiscectomy to remove the herniated part, or laminectomy to relieve the nerve that's being pressured. Another surgical treatment is spinal fusion; this helps stabilize the spine by joining two or more vertebrae together.

Living with a herniated disc is hard, as it causes severe pain and limits mobility. Having it checked out by a health professional and treated—whether surgically or non-surgically—is important.