Herniated Disk: What It Is and What You Can Do

[nurseanna]

Herniated Disk

What is a herniated disk?
Lumbar spine
Herniated disks are most common in the lumbar spine--the part of your backbone between the bottom of your ribs and your hips. Disks are the soft "cushions" between the bones of the spine. The disks in the spine let you move your backbone.

When a disk between two bones in the spine presses on the nerves around the backbone, it's called a herniated disk. The word "herniate" (say: her-nee-ate) means to bulge or to stick out. Sometimes this is called a ruptured or slipped disk.

Why does a disk get herniated?
Herniated disk
As you grow older, your disks become flatter -- less cushiony. If a disk becomes too weak, the outer part may tear. The inside part of the disk pushes through the tear and presses on the nerves beside it. The drawing to the right shows how a disk looks when it gets pushed through the tear and presses on a nerve. Herniated disks are most common in people in their 30s and 40s.

What are the signs of a herniated disk?
When part of a disk presses on a nerve, it can cause pain in both the back and the legs. The location of the pain depends on which disk is weak. How bad the pain is depends on how much of the disk is pressing on the nerve. In most people with herniated disks, the pain spreads over the buttocks and goes down the back of one thigh and into the calf. Some people have pain in both legs. Some people's legs or feet feel numb or tingly.

The pain from a herniated disk is usually worse when you're active and gets better when you're resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because they put more pressure on the nerve.

People with painful herniated disks often try to change positions to reduce the pain. You may have found that holding yourself up with your hands while you are sitting helps the pain. Shifting your weight to one side may also help.

How does my doctor know I have a herniated disk?
After asking you questions and giving you an exam, your doctor may take x-rays and other pictures to see whether you have a herniated disk.

What can be done for the pain of a herniated disk?
Your doctor may suggest medicine for the pain. You can probably be more active after you take the pain medicine for 2 days. Becoming active will help you get better faster. If your pain is severe, your doctor may suggest that you rest in bed for 1 or 2 days.

If the pain medicine doesn't help, your doctor may give you a shot in your backbone. This might stop your pain. You may need more than 1 shot.

Sometimes stretching of the spine, by your doctor or a chiropractor, can help the pain.

Will exercises help the pain?
Yes, exercises can be helpful. Begin by stretching. Bend over forward and bend to the sides. Start these exercises after your back is a little stronger and doesn't hurt as much. The goal of exercise is to make your back and stomach muscles stronger. This will ease the pressure on your disk and make you hurt less. Ask your doctor about exercises for your back. Your doctor may want you to see a physical therapist to learn about safe back exercises.

What about my posture?
Good posture
Good posture (standing up straight, sitting straight, lifting with your back straight) can help your back by reducing the pressure on your disk

1. Bend your knees and hips when you lift something, and keep your back straight.
2. Hold an object close to your body when you carry it.
3. If you stand for a long time, put one foot on a small stool or box for a while.
4. If you sit for a long time, put your feet on a small stool so your knees are higher than your hips.
5. Don't wear high-heeled shoes.
6. Don't sleep on your stomach.

What are my chances of getting better?
Your chances are good. Most people with a herniated disk are better in about 4 weeks. Sometimes it takes longer. If you still have pain or numbness after 4 to 6 weeks, or if your signs get worse, talk with your doctor. Sometimes it takes surgery to relieve pain.

If you have trouble going to the bathroom or have weight loss, pain at night or more pain or weakness than usual in your backbone, tell your doctor right away. These might be the signs of a more serious problem.

[greatswtor]

Welcome visiting the Best SWTOR Credits Seller!Buy SWTOR Credits with fast delivery!Cheap SWTOR Credits for sale!SWTOR Gold direct from the USA at low prices.Our Star Wars Credits service is trustable and reliable.Buy Star Wars Credits with incredibly fast delivery right now!Cheap Star Wars Credits in our site.Unwrap the Savings and Buy SWTOR Gold now!This is the best place for all of the game players to Cheap SWTOR Gold.SWTOR Gold For Sale in 20%-50% lower price here.want to buy SWTOR Credits For Sale. Since the beginning.Star Wars Credits For Sale in stock is ready for sale.Never over pay for your Cheapest SWTOR Credits again.WOW Gold fast for sale from best online store.Provide Cheap WOW Gold and Buy WOW Gold service.Enjoy lower Price & Instant delivery for your WOW Items.100% safe guaranteed.Buy cheap wow item and WOW Gear now!Get the Cheap World of Warcraft Gold in 5 minutes!Buy Cheapest WOW Gold within seconds.After paying for WOW Gold Fast Delivery.747000 customer Buy World of Warcraft Gold in Cheapest Price.Cheap WOW Gold For Sale and instant delivery in minutes.Really cheap Best WOW Gold prices and instant delivery.This article comes from the http://www.g4pswtor.com/.