Sciatica

It’s common to hear people suffer from sciatica, which is a very painful and annoying condition that could significantly decrease the quality of life.

Sciatica

There are two sciatic nerves that travel along each leg, starting from the buttocks to the bottom of each leg. In the case of sciatica, there is an inflammation in this sciatic nerve that causes severe symptoms.

Sciatica is a very common condition, and it usually occurs after the age of twenty, unless there is an injury in the nerve.

Causes and risk factors leading to sciatica

Sciatica occurs when something puts pressure on or affects the sciatic nerve. Conditions that cause sciatic neuritis include:

• Herniated disk, which is the most common cause.
• Injuries.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Foraminal stenosis.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Spondylolisthesis.
• Pregnancy.
• Various growths.

Factors that increase the risk of sciatica:

• Obesity.
• Jobs that put pressure on the back.
• Prolonged sitting.
• Not being active physically.
• Lifting weights in a wrong way even if the person is athletic and active.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking.

Symptoms of sciatica

Symptoms of sciatica can occur anywhere in the path of the sciatic nerve, and they include:

• Mild or severe pain.
• Tingling or numbness.
• Muscle weakness.
• Sciatica can be fully treated in most of the cases. However, in some cases it could cause nerve damage and lead to chronic pain, loss of feeling in the affected area, urinary incontinence, or fecal incontinence.

Diagnosis of sciatica

• Medical history.
• Physical exam.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of sciatica

• Medications.
• Physical therapy.
• Spinal injections.
• Surgery in severe cases.
• You can reduce the risk of sciatica by exercising regularly, sitting in a good posture, lifting weights properly, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking.