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Sciatica Nerve :- Symptom, Cause, Prevention, Treatment,Surgery Home Remedy and Home Treatment of Sciatica Nerve

Sciatica is nerve pain arising from the sciatic nerve. It can be produced by pressure on the nerve, where it passes through the buttock. Sciatica can be brought on by sitting on a hard seat. When your leg goes to sleep, that is also a form of sciatica.

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve, formed from nerve roots that originate from the spinal cord. These nerve roots pass out between the disc spaces and join up to form the sciatic nerve. It passes from the spine into the buttock, then into the back of the thigh and leg. The sciatic nerve controls sensation and function to the leg and foot. In sciatica, prolapsed or 'slipped' discs tend to bulge and press on the intervertebral nerve(s). This pressure irritates the nerve, causing referred pain.

Most cases of sciatica resolve by themselves within six weeks to three months. Sciatica can also be caused by narrowing of the nerve tunnel between discs due to osteoarthritis Elderly people who suffer from disk degeneration as a consequence of ageing tend to be troubled the most by sciatica.

Sciatica Symptom

Symptoms can vary from extreme pain in the low back radiating into one buttock and down the leg. Pain often increases on exertion or bending forward. Alternatively, there may only be a mild sensation in the leg or buttock. There may be numbness in the area, weakness in the leg and diminution of the reflexes. Pain may be triggered by coughing or straining and can be so severe that the lower back becomes locked in sideways bending position (scoliosis) caused by a strong contraction.

Alternatively, it may only come on when sitting or standing in a certain position. Clinical experience indicates that these certain positions are usually associated with continually holding a poor posture either at home or at work. For example, protruding the head forward peering at a computer all day or regularly lifting a baby out of the back of the car. But some or all of these symptoms are also associated with other conditions which is probably why the name is often misused as a catchall word for any pain affecting the buttocks or other parts of the leg. In this case the pain is triggered by a local trapping (trigger point) or straining of the nerve along its pathway. All of which can lead to sciatic-like symptoms, giving rise to conditions such as Piraformis, Psoas, Hamstring Syndromes, Back Pocket Sciatica and Pseudo-Sciatica.

Sciatica Cause

Sciatica is caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots in the lower spine. It may also be caused by damage to nerve roots. Sciatica is not a disease in itself and its causes are various.

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back) that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve or a nerve root. A herniated disc can occur suddenly and cause acute pain or it may develop gradually.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spinal column that causes compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause sciatica if it occurs in the lower back.

In advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the spinal joints. This causes irritation and inflammation and if it occurs in the lower back may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Spondylolisthesis - when one vertebra slips over another - occurs most often in the lower back - where the misaligned vertebrae may place pressure on the sciatic nerve.

A less common cause of sciatica is Piriformis syndrome, a disorder in which a muscle located in the buttocks (the piriformis muscle) contracts and irritates the sciatic nerve. In this case, the pain starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Piriformis syndrome is generally treated with stretching exercises, massage, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Something as simple as muscle strain can cause inflammation, which may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica Prevention

Once the pain of sciatica passes, there are exercises, stretches and other measures that may prevent it from returning. A physical therapist can develop a complete, personalized program. Some sources of sciatica are not preventable, such as disk degeneration, back strain due to pregnancy, or accidental falls. Other sources of back strain, such as poor posture, overexertion, being overweight, or wearing high heels, can be corrected or avoided. Cigarette smoking may also predispose people to pain, and should be discontinued.

General suggestions for avoiding sciatica, or preventing a repeat episode, include sleeping on a firm mattress, using chairs with firm back support, and sitting with both feet flat on the floor. Habitually crossing the legs while sitting can place excess pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sitting a lot can also place pressure on the sciatic nerves, so it's a good idea to take short breaks and move around during the work day, long trips, or any other situation that requires sitting for an extended length of time. If lifting is required, the back should be kept straight and the legs should provide the lift. Regular exercise, such as swimming and walking, can strengthen back muscles and improve posture. Exercise can also help maintain a healthy weight and lessen the likelihood of back strain.

Sciatica Surgery

Sciatica might be revealed by a neuromuscular examination of the legs by a physician. There may be weakness of knee bending of foot movement, or difficulty bending the foot inward or down. Reflexes may be abnormal, with weak or absent ankle-jerk reflex.

Tests that reveal sciatic nerve dysfunction may include:

EMG (a recording of electrical activity in muscles)

Nerve conduction tests

Tests are guided by the suspected cause of the dysfunction, as suggested by the history, symptoms, and pattern of symptom development. They may include various blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, or other tests and procedures.

Sciatica Treatment

The primary treatment of sciatica is rest, to allow the inflammation of the nerve to subside. In an effort to alleviate the pain, various medications (such as analgesics and muscle relaxants) may be prescribed, or anesthetic agents may be injected into the area around the spinal cord. In cases that do not respond to such conservative measures, surgery may be necessary.

Recently, new surgical techniques, such as microsurgery and the percutaneous (through the skin without cutting, as with a needle) removal of disk fragments, have been developed. These techniques have considerably decreased hospital stays and loss of work time. So far, success at relieving pain and neurologic symptoms has been good. Not all individuals with disk problems, however, are suitable for this surgery.

Physical therapy under a doctor's supervision or prescription is often used to relieve the pain of sciatica. Many therapists advise their patients to overcome the effects of a ruptured disk by developing the core muscles (the four muscle groups that form at the waist) in order to provide a supportive column of muscle that will help keep the disk in place.

Sciatica Home remedy

Rest

Over-the-counter painkillers

Ice packs

Proper posture

Resting the back by not bending, flexing or lifting heavy weights

Warm baths

Sleeping on a mattress that is neither too soft, nor too hard

Ergonomic furniture, such as chairs with lumbar support

Gentle exercises to strengthen and support the lower back.

Sciatica Home Treatment

The affected limb must have rest on a very mattress for days or weeks.

All bending must be avoided.

Nerve stretching may also prove beneficial

Hot applications to the painful area often afford relief

Remove the cause if possible

Sensible weight lose should be followed

Call The Doctor

If the sciatic pain is very severe.

If the pain is persistent or recurring.

If there is difficulty in urinating or defecating

If the pain is accompanied by fever or abdominal pain



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