Sciatica

Sciatica Treatment & Diagnostics in Chunni Ganj, Kanpur

Sciatica

Refers to the pain that you might experience around your sciatic nerve that branches from the lower back through your hips and buttocks to the legs. This pain usually affects only one side. It is a nerve pain that can be felt in the leg due to the compression of the sciatic nerve. It can be due to a slipped disk causing pressure on the nerve root.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica pain is caused due to irritation, compression, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The pain is felt from the lower back throughout your leg. The sciatic nerve is present in the buttocks and is the longest and thickest nerve in the human body.

The sciatic nerve is actually made up of five nerve roots: two from the lower back called the lumbar spine and the remaining three from the final section of the spine are called the sacrum. These five nerve roots come together to form the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts from the buttocks and branches out into each leg right down to the foot.

Sciatica can also refer to injury caused to the sciatic nerve but commonly sciatica is used to refer to the pain that might be experienced in the sciatic nerve. It starts from the lower back and can be felt throughout the leg. The pain is sharp and can cause muscle weakness, numbness, and unpleasant tingles in your foot and legs.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

The most distinct symptom of sciatica is the sharp pain felt from your buttocks all through the lower limbs. This pain is usually the result of an injury to the sciatic nerve. Other symptoms might include:

• The intensity of pain might be anywhere from mild to sharp and may also cause a burning sensation in the area around the nerve
• Pain that might get worse with movement and in some postures like while sitting or bending
• Numbness and weakness in the leg
• Usually, only one leg is affected. The feeling of heaviness and pain might be experienced in the affected leg
• In some cases, difficulty may be experienced in controlling your bladder or bowels. In such cases, immediate medical help is recommended.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica can come suddenly or develop over time depending on the cause of the pain. Conditions that can cause sciatica are:

• Herniated or slipped disk- The spinal bones are separated by cartilage. The cartilage provides flexibility and cushioning when you move around. A herniated disk occurs when the first layer of cartilage rips. This rupture causes compression on your sciatic nerve resulting in pain in your lower limbs.
• Degenerative Disk Disease- This is when there is natural wear and tear to the discs between the spinal vertebrae. This shortens the length of the disk and makes the passageway for the nerves narrower putting more pressure on the sciatic nerve by pinching it.
• Trauma or accidents that might directly affect the sciatic nerve due to spinal cord injuries.
• Tumor in the lumbar spinal passage causing compression to the sciatic nerve.
• Nerve damage due to side effects of medication or diseases like diabetes.
• Spondylolisthesis- Slippage of one vertebra making it out of line with another causing the narrowing of spinal passage. This pinches the sciatic nerve.
• Spinal Stenosis- Abnormal narrowing of the lower spinal passage putting pressure on the spinal cord and the sciatic nerve.

When should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor when you have pain after an injury, have sharp pain in your lower back and the leg with numbness and weakness. Immediate medical help should be taken if there is a problem in controlling your bladder or bowels.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Kanpur

Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment

Risk Factors

The following factors can raise your risk of developing sciatica:

• Age- Age-related problems and eventual wear and tear of the spinal disks and problems in the lower back can increase the risk of having sciatica
• Obesity and body weight can put pressure on the spinal cord triggering sciatica
• Diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage
• Sitting for longer periods of time, bending and lifting heavy objects more than usual can also increase the risk of sciatica

How to prevent sciatica?

You can prevent sciatica by:

• Exercising regularly- By staying active the body releases more endorphins which are pain relievers which helps you endure pain. Do only as much as your body can take.
• Be aware of how you sit and your posture. Prolonged sitting and in the wrong posture can cause pain.
• Stretching and yoga especially for your lower back can release stiffness and pressure.

If pain prevails then medical help is suggested as therapy, medication or surgery might be required. Please contact a doctor at Apollo Spectra, Kanpur.

Conclusion

Sciatica can develop after an accident or trauma or develop with age. It is a sharp pain experienced in the sciatic nerve area from your lower back through the hip and buttocks and down through the legs. You should take care of yourself and exercise regularly and maintain posture.