LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION
WHAT IS IT?
LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION is a painful condition that affects the lower back region. The gradual wear and tear of the discs, caused by bad habits, improper posture, and hereditary factors, can result in the "leakage" of the nucleus of the disc outward. When this happens, the nucleus can press on the spinal nerves, generating the characteristic pain of a herniated disc. Since the spinal nerves extend into the legs and arms, the patient may experience radiating pain in both the legs and arms.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
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Pain in the lower back
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Difficulty moving, bending, lifting, or turning in bed
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Sensation of numbness and/or tingling in the buttocks and the back of one leg
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Burning sensation along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the spine to the tips of the toes
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Sharp pains in the back
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Night cramps
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Loss of muscle strength, and in more severe cases, loss of control over urination and bowel movements.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
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Repetitive movements
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Improper posture
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Hereditary factors
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Aging (i.e., the degenerative process caused by the rupture of the annulus fibrosus fibers)
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Flexion and rotation movements of the torso.