Sciatic Nerve Pain
Sciatic nerve pain is a condition caused by sciatic nerve compression. It could occur due to accident injury, rigorous workouts, and sitting for long periods, incorrect jumping, lifting of heavy weight improperly by weightlifters or injury to the spiral column. The patient experience prolonged physical strain. It may lead to dysfunction of the peripheral nerves, thigh or leg muscles. This is a serious condition as it causes sudden interruption of the normal functioning of the body. It is sometime termed as sciatica. The inflammation of the nerves causes pain from the lumbar area to the buttocks and over the later side of the lower lips. The condition may vary from mild to severe and if you are a patient suffering from this condition, it is important to understand the symptoms and treatment of the disease.
Different patients suffering from sciatic nerve pain experience varying symptoms. This will depend on the extent of physical exposure, the type of injury sustained and the length of this exposure. The nerve fiber involved will also determine the resultant symptoms. Some of the common symptoms include difficulty in lifting the heels, a sharp pain that starts from the buttocks and goes down to the legs, a burning feeling combined with spasms in the thigh, an itchy feeling on your legs as if you are being pricked by many needles and a feeling on the outer part of the affected area being numb. Some patients have difficulty in standing after sitting or lying for a while. The lower part of your back may be stiff and rigid causing interruption of the normal body functioning. Such patients are thus advised to move swiftly to avoid irritating the sciatic nerve pain.
Patients feel pain on their buttocks, hip or legs making them ideal to have a bed rest. However; the body functioning is interrupted and weakened. This will hinder your daily routines since you will spend most of your time in bed. In more severe cases, incomplete paralysis would occur from the knee downwards. This in turn affects the ability to control your urination and bowel movement. If it is not well treated, the condition will re occur over time making you completely paralyzed. This is how risky this disease can be if it is not kept at bay. Like any other disease, sciatic nerve pain should be treated early to avoid advancing to complicated stages. When you experience any of the symptoms endeavor to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Some of the precautionary measures are to avoid sleeping on cushioned mattress. Sleep on firm flat surfaces and do not attempt to lift heavy objects as this will aggravate the pain. It is healthy to undertake exercises like swimming or walking from about one hour per day. This will reduce the strain to the muscles and also avoid sitting for long hours. Hot baths and massage therapies are also recommended by doctors. When the symptoms are addressed accordingly they may disappear in four to six weeks. Other natural treatments include a diet rich in meat, shellfish and dairy products as this will reduce the inflammation of the nerves. Food rich in fish, vegetable and fruits should also be encouraged. They are also surgeries that can be undertaken to deal with the condition.
A very carefully and planned exercise scheme are being used by most patients to combat sciatic nerve pain. Some doctors prescribe pain relieving drugs that reduces the effects to the inflammation of the nerves. However; if proper treatment is administered, the disease will not disturb you anymore and in the contrary if it is not properly treated it shall re occur over time.