If you're experiencing a radiating pain that starts around your lower back and goes through your buttock into your leg, you may be experiencing sciatic nerve pain. When the sciatic nerve is compressed sciatica symptoms present themselves. Sciatica pain can radiate all the way down to the feet in some cases. Of all the nerves within the human body, the sciatic nerve is the longest. This large nerve causes millions of individuals throughout the world pain ranging from barely present and slightly annoying to debilitating and excruciating.
A misconception many people have is they believe sciatica is an actual body disorder, but sciatica is actually a symptom of a greater underlying problem. There are various conditions that cause the symptom of sciatica. Lumbar spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, tumors on or surrounding the sciatic nerve, and trauma can all cause the symptom of sciatica.
The most prominent symptom of sciatica is a pain that travels along the sciatic nerve path. Discomfort is most usually felt between the lower back through to the upper leg. The level of pain experienced can range from a light burning sensation to a deep stabbing pain. Numbness and weakness can also be a sign that you are suffering from sciatica symptoms. A tingling sensation most usually accompanies the numbness and weakness feeling. In extreme cases, a loss of bowel and bladder control is experienced. If you experience a loss of bladder and/or bowel control, please seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Your doctor is able to perform diagnostic tests to determine whether your pain is truly the symptom of sciatica or another back pain related symptom. Your doctor will perform a physical exam making sure to pay attention to your legs and spine. Your doctor will also test your reflexes as well as test your range of motion. If your pain is severe and lasts for a significant period of time your doctor may order one or more image test including a spinal x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scan.
Your overall health, age, race, and/or lifestyle choices all influence how susceptible you are to experiencing sciatic nerve pain. The major risk factors for your experiencing sciatica pain are:
Occupation: If your job requires that you sit or stand for extended periods of time, if you twist, bend, or lift heavy objects repeatedly, or drive a vehicle for the majority of your day.Diabetes: Diabetes increases your chance for experiencing nerve damage due to the fact diabetes alters the way your body uses its blood supply. If your nerves do not receive the proper amount of blood they can become damaged.Age: The discs of your spine deteriorate over time. Being over the age of 40 greatly increases your risk for sciatica due to bulging or deteriorated spinal discs.
There are various ways to relieve your sciatica pain including physician prescribed medication, surgery, and stretching exercises. A one-size-fits-all treatment doesn't exist, so you're going to need to work with your doctor to determine which of all the available treatments is going to best relieve your sciatica pain.
Mike Sutherland is a sciatica relief expert. For more great sciatica relief information, please visit http://www.PainInMySciatica.com.
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