Is it a herniated disc?
If you have any of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately
Created: 07/08/2022 11:47 am
By: Juliane Gutmann
Young people can also suffer a herniated disc: Physiotherapy is a common therapy method.
© picture alliance / dpa / Patrick Pleul
Severe back pain can be caused by a herniated disc.
But in some cases, those affected do not notice it at all.
When to see a doctor.
If a slipped intervertebral disc presses on the spinal cord or the nerve fiber bundles in the lumbar spine, there is enormous pain.
In some cases, a herniated disc is also accompanied by "lumbago": those affected report back pain that suddenly shoots up.
But the intervertebral discs, which act like shock absorbers between the individual vertebral bodies of the spine,
can slip unnoticed
.
For example, if they exit to the front instead of to the back and don't get on your nerves.
In this case, there is no pain and the herniated disc is only recognized by chance.
Symptoms and treatment of a herniated disc
If it is a herniated disc* that is accompanied by an intervertebral disc pressing on the spinal cord or nerve fibers, typical symptoms occur.
These differ depending on the affected region.
In the case of a herniated disc in the cervical spine
, patients often complain of the following symptoms:
neck pain
hardened muscles in the affected area of the spine
Pain can radiate to the arm, hand, or back of the head
tingling sensation in the arm
Numbness in arms and hands
Feeling cold in arm or hand
If there is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine
, patients report the following symptoms:
severe pain that can radiate down the leg
Symptoms can be aggravated by sneezing and coughing
hardened muscles in the affected area of the spine
numbness in the legs
tingling in the legs (called pins and needles)
Herniated discs can usually be treated with a combination therapy of painkillers, heat and a lot of exercise, as the Apotheken Umschau reports.
Above all, movement is the keyword: Where patients used to be prescribed bed rest, it is now known that prompt mobilization shortens the duration of the illness.
Therefore, patients are usually prescribed physical therapy as soon as possible
.
Surgery is only an option if painkillers and exercise therapy do not help.
24vita.de
* provides tips on how to prevent a herniated disc.
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In this case, a herniated disc is an emergency
In the case of a large herniated disc, the spinal cord can be pinched in such a way that a so-called spinal cord
syndrome
can occur.
It is characterized by:
signs of paralysis
numb extremities
bladder emptying disorders
These signs indicate an emergency that requires immediate (often surgical) care.
Those affected must not waste any time and must present themselves immediately to an emergency room in
order to prevent permanent paralysis or sensory disturbances, as reported by the portal neurologists and psychiatrists on the Internet.
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How to prevent a (re-)herniated disc
Anything that mobilizes the back muscles prevents back problems.
However, the movement should be adapted to the respective training condition
- if you have not challenged your back for years, you should never start with difficult Pilates or dumbbell exercises.
Nordic walking or crawling are more suitable sports here*.
Regular exercise also prevents obesity, which has a significant influence on the development of back problems such as herniated discs.
"In addition, targeted strengthening of the back muscles is recommended, for example by training on appropriate equipment in the gym. Targeted strength and gymnastic exercises, such as those practiced in Pilates, are also suitable," informs the hkk health insurance company: " If you supplement this program with an improved posture in everyday life, you reduce the risk of problems with the spine considerably.Not only for serious diseases such as a herniated disc, but also for the pinching in the back and the rather harmless tension*, which usually precede a herniated disc a long time ago".
(jg)
