Herniated Disc: One of the Most Common Modern Spinal Conditions

The spine is one of the most important bone structures of the human body. It has several very important roles for us, the best known being to ensure correct mobility and posture. Therefore, its health should concern us from the youngest age, when many of its ailments can begin. Over time, these can cause numerous conditions, one of the most common today being a herniated disc.

What is a herniated disc? It is a neurological disease that consists of the displacement of the vertebral discs, some of the most important components of the spine. It has several types, depending on the part of the back it affects.

The beginning of a herniated disc is a common back pain, which makes this condition one of the diseases of the modern world. Therefore, in this article, we will see what other symptoms we can have, but also how we can treat it.

Herniated disc: what it means and what types it is

A herniated disc is a condition of the spine that means the displacement of the discs that form it. How does it happen? To understand why and how we can suffer from this disease, we need to understand how this osseous complex works.

The spine – its role and components

The spine is one of the most complex bone structures in our body. It starts from the brain and ends in the pelvic area, at the coccyx. Through nerves, it coordinates movements such as:

• standing and walking;
• twisting the body;
• bending.

It also helps us maintain correct posture, meaning a straight back, but it also has the role of protecting the bone marrow.

The spine is composed of:

• 33 vertebrae, which together form the spinal canal;
• intervertebral discs, which are located between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers;
• joints, which provide mobility and flexibility;
• the spinal cord and nerves, which are located in the spinal canal through which nerve impulses reach from the brain to all parts of the body.

The spine is composed of 5 segments that ensure its correct curvature. These are:

• the cervical area, which forms the lordotic curve found in the neck area;
• the thoracic area, which forms the kyphotic curve and corresponds to the rib cage area;
• the lumbar area, which forms the lower part of the spine and supports the upper parts;
• the sacral area, which is triangular in shape, formed by the bones that make up the pelvic girdle;
• the coccyx, which is the last part of the spine.

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A herniated disc occurs at the level of the intervertebral discs, which become displaced when the spine’s posture is incorrect. The first symptom experienced is pain.

Types of herniated discs

Depending on its location, a herniated disc can be of several types. More precisely:

• cervical herniated disc;
• lumbar herniated disc;
• thoracic herniated disc.

Of all these, the most common is the lumbar herniated disc, affecting both men and women aged between 25 and 55. Thus, the disease can start even in youth, often being discovered late.

As it is a bone structure, the health of the spine depends on both avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and proper nutrition. Since a healthy diet means time dedicated to preparing certain foods, we can consume certain supplements created for bone health. One of them is Joint Formula, which comes in tablet form and contains glucosamine and chondroitin. Both substances are essential for the health of cartilage and joints.

Joint Formula tablets also contain other beneficial substances for strong bones and joints, such as methylsulfonylmethane and ginger. These help reduce inflammation, reducing pressure on the spine, and can help prevent herniated discs at a young age. Furthermore, this supplement contributes to two of the most important roles of the spine: mobility and flexibility.

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How a herniated disc occurs

A herniated disc is a condition that occurs over time. It develops as a result of injuries to the intervertebral discs. These are flat, round, spongy cylindrical formations with a soft center called the nucleus pulposus. They are surrounded by fibrous rings. The discs are what cushion shocks during walking, running, and lifting, also allowing spinal mobility.

A herniated disc occurs when the fibrous sheath protecting the nucleus deteriorates, and the gelatinous content spills out, compressing the spinal nerves or the cord. This is how this condition arises, its first symptom being back pain.

What are the causes of a herniated disc? These can be multiple, but currently, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the most important.

Causes of herniated discs

A herniated disc can have several causes. Unfortunately, however, it has started to manifest in both young men and women, often at ages not exceeding 30.

Among the most common causes of herniated discs are:

• wear and tear of intervertebral discs; aging leads to their degeneration by reducing flexibility and dehydration, which leads to the cracking of the fibrous rings;
• trauma or accidents resulting in blows to the spine;
• lifting heavy objects, either for professional or sporting purposes;
• a sedentary lifestyle is one of the recently discovered causes of herniated discs.

In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, the incorrect posture of those who spend a lot of time sitting leads to the onset of herniated discs. Therefore, this is one of the diseases frequently encountered among young people.

There are also several factors that can favor the occurrence of herniated discs, including:

• excess weight or obesity, which puts additional pressure on the spine;
• heredity can also be a cause of herniated discs;
• sex, with herniated discs being observed more in men;
• smoking, which blocks the oxygenation of intervertebral discs, favoring their rupture.

What symptoms can you have with a herniated disc? In the first phase, pain is the first sign of a spinal condition. Unfortunately, being quite low in intensity, it can make us postpone medical check-ups.

Symptoms of herniated discs

Pain is the main symptom of a herniated disc. However, it is not the only sign, as it can also indicate other conditions. Therefore, to diagnose it correctly, the doctor will “trace back” to the beginning of the symptomatology.

The onset of a herniated disc can be associated with a sensation of pain accompanied by numbness on one side of the body. Very often, it can also be confused with lumbosacral radiculopathy or lumbar discopathy, as the symptoms most often begin in the lower back.

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The difference between lumbosacral radiculopathy and a herniated disc lies in diffuse pain, stiffness, and discomfort, which, in the case of the former, occurs at the sciatic nerve level in the lumbar region. In the case of the latter condition, pain appears in different parts of the body. Moreover, most cases of herniated discs are of the lumbar type. Therefore, each disease requires different approaches.

Returning to the symptoms of a herniated disc, besides pain and numbness, as the disease progresses, we may also experience:

• pain in the arms and legs, depending on where the herniated disc or discs are affected by the disease;
• pain that worsens when performing certain movements, when coughing or sneezing;
• back pain that intensifies at night;
• pain that intensifies when standing for a long time or when walking short distances;
• muscle weakness;
• a local burning sensation.

We will not experience all these pains at the same time, but at certain stages of the disease.

Stages of herniated discs

One reason we may be late to see a doctor is that we don’t “catch” the herniated disc in its early stages. This is quite difficult, in fact, as the disease progresses slowly, as we can see below:

• the first stage is initial degeneration, which occurs with aging, which is normal;
• disc protrusion is the second stage, where it becomes more prominent, causing the first symptoms of back pain radiating to the arm, in the case of cervical herniation, and to the leg, in the case of lumbar herniation;
• herniation is the third stage, in which the fibrous ring ruptures, and the nucleus begins to put pressure on the nerve roots, with symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling;
• advanced degeneration is the last stage of the disease, with persistent pain.

In addition to common symptoms, it’s important to know that men and women can present different symptoms in case of herniated discs.

Herniated disc and its symptoms in women

Women are more prone to cervical herniated discs, i.e., in the upper part of the trunk. This can occur more often in women over 50, as a result of aging.

What symptoms can you experience with a herniated disc if you are a woman? Among them are pain in the neck, which radiates to the shoulder and even the arms. Also, muscle weakness is another specific sign of the disease.

Unfortunately, younger women can develop lumbar herniated discs, especially when they spend a lot of time sitting. This type of herniation is also frequently encountered in men.

Herniated disc and its symptoms in men

In men, lumbar herniated discs are most commonly encountered. They make their presence felt through symptoms such as back pain that often radiates down one or both legs. This is also why it is confused with lumbar discopathy.

In men, herniated discs occur due to the following causes:

• aging – men over 50 often present the most symptoms;
• lifting weights;
• intense effort in incorrect postures, which is a frequent professional cause of this pathology.

What should you do if you feel back pain? You should see either a neurologist, as it is a neurological disorder, or an orthopedist.

Herniated disc: diagnosis and treatment methods

The diagnosis of a herniated disc can be made by a neurologist or orthopedist. Often, we choose to see the latter due to back pain radiating down the leg. However, the condition is neurological.

The diagnosis of herniated discs in both women and men starts with the medical history and continues with:

• computed tomography or CT scan, which visualizes the vertebrae;
• myelogram with contrast medium, through which the spine and vertebrae are examined;
• electromyography, which measures the electrical impulse of muscles at rest and during contraction;
• magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, which is the most complex and complete test for diagnosis.

Once diagnosed, the doctor will determine the stage of the herniated disc and recommend specific treatments, if necessary.

Treatment and recovery for herniated discs

Very often, in early stages, a herniated disc can heal on its own. Therefore, seeing a doctor at the first signs is very important. At this stage, there are several recovery measures we can take at home. Among them are:

• rest for a few days, but avoiding spending the entire period in bed;
• applying ice or heat to painful areas;
• wearing a back support belt, as prescribed by the doctor.

When the disease has already progressed, the specialist may resort to other treatment methods, such as:

• medications from the analgesic and muscle relaxant class;
• corticosteroid injections, which are administered around the spinal nerves;
• surgery, which is recommended in severe cases or when other therapies do not yield results.

Physiotherapy also plays an important role in recovering from a herniated disc. Along with medication, it is the first recommendation made by both orthopedists and neurologists. In addition to this, acupuncture and therapeutic massage can also help in treating the disease.

In conclusion, a herniated disc is a neurological disease. It affects the vertebrae located along the entire spine, which are responsible for its flexibility. Its main symptoms are back pain radiating to the arm or shoulder in case of cervical herniation and to the leg in case of lumbar herniation. These are also its most common types. Diagnosis is made by a neurologist or orthopedist, and recovery involves various drug treatments, as well as physiotherapy or even massage. Furthermore, a herniated disc can also heal on its own in its early stages. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the health of the skeletal system before it’s too late.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354101

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12768-herniated-disk

www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/herniated-disc/

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/treatments-for-herniated-disk

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