Herniated disc - knowledge for prevention and treatment

Herniated disc is a common disease in modern times. The incidence is high among office workers. Currently, many hospitals have introduced advanced treatment methods. However, it seems that therapy with massage, acupressure, acupuncture, stretching... is still widely applied.

What is a herniated disc?

According to doctors at Viet Duc Hospital, a herniated disc is a condition in which the nucleus pulposus between the vertebrae escapes from the surrounding fibers. In other words, the disc is compressed, bulging out of its normal position, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Symptoms of the disease are that the body is always restless, the limbs move while sleeping. Pain appears in the area of the herniated disc. The pain can spread to the arms, buttocks and legs along the nerves, making the patient extremely uncomfortable, unable to sit still. The pain can be continuous and intermittent. The pain increases with movement and decreases with rest.

For lumbar disc herniation: Causes intercostal neuralgia, pain increases when lying on the side, coughing, defecating. The patient will feel pain in the lumbar spine, numbness, loss of sensation in the buttocks, legs, feet, severe cases can be paralyzed.

For cervical disc herniation: Patients have pain in the neck and shoulder area. Numbness and loss of sensation in various areas, including numbness in the hands, wrists, feet, etc. Severe patients may have muscle weakness and reduced mobility due to loss of strength.

Reason

The disc acts as a shock absorber, helping the spine move more flexibly and smoothly. However, common movements in daily life, age or body weight all put pressure on the spine and increase the risk of disc herniation.

There are many causes of disc herniation. Here are some typical causes:

Injury or incorrect posture: Overwork, lifting heavy objects in the wrong position, or sitting, bending, or turning in the wrong position can all cause a herniated disc.

People between the ages of 30 and 60 are at the highest risk of herniated discs. This is because as we age, the discs lose water and become dry. As a result, the outer fibrous ring of the nucleus pulposus degenerates, and the inner nucleus pulposus bulges. As the discs become weaker, the pressure on the spine increases, and the inner nucleus pulposus can rupture and be considered a herniated disc.

Overweight, obesity: Being overweight increases the weight on the spine and causes herniated discs.

Some other causes: Poor nutrition, use of stimulants or genetics from parents to children are also causes of herniated discs.

Is disc herniation dangerous?

According to doctors at Viet Duc Hospital, like many other bone and joint diseases, herniated discs cause sharp pain. Prolonged pain makes it difficult for the patient to move, causing fatigue and affecting work and life.

However, it does not stop there, if the herniated disc is too large, causing compression of the spinal cord and nerves originating from the conus medullaris, it will cause many dangerous complications. As a result, the patient will have to face the condition of radicular nerve pain, muscle atrophy, loss of control when going to the toilet or even lifelong disability.

Treatment methods

In addition to the question of whether herniated disc disease is dangerous, treatment is the primary concern of patients. Current treatment methods for herniated disc disease include:

Using Western medicine:

The pain of herniated disc can be controlled with painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs... However, painkillers only have an immediate effect and cannot effectively treat the disease. If the patient abuses the drug too much, it can cause side effects: Gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, liver failure, kidney failure, early osteoporosis...

Surgery:

When severe hernias cause complications such as urinary retention and paralysis, doctors will advise patients to have surgery. The success rate of this method is only 50/50 and also has many potential risks because the patient can get infection, inflammation after surgery... On the other hand, the cost of surgery is high but the effect is only 1-2 years and the disease can recur.

High Frequency Microwave Surgery Method:

Direct impact on the damaged nucleus pulposus will reduce the pressure inside the disc, shrink the herniated mass back to its original position, and release the compressed nerves and blood vessels. This treatment method has advantages such as: Preserving the integrity of the disc; does not affect the stability of the spine; does not cause complications; does not require general anesthesia; short surgery time, only about 20 minutes... However, the success rate is not 100%.

Physical therapy is still popular:

Massage, acupressure, acupuncture, using therapeutic machines and exercises are methods applied by many patients. Usually, patients receive acupuncture combined with physical therapy. After pain relief, patients can practice therapeutic movements, health care combined with spinal traction. However, the disadvantage of this method is that it treats symptoms, so it quickly relapses.

Precautions

We should avoid sitting for too long or in the wrong posture. When carrying heavy objects, avoid bending down, but lower your legs and slowly lift the heavy object, and always keep your spine straight. In addition, you should pay attention to keeping your back straight when pushing the cart up and downhill, avoid gaining weight, obesity, and promptly treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine and scoliosis. You should exercise every day.

For people with symptoms of disc herniation, it is necessary to rest properly and play light sports such as walking and swimming. Avoid excessive bending, tilting, and twisting of the spine, avoid carrying weights over 5kg, and should divide the weight equally between both hands.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/thoat-vi-dia-dem-hieu-biet-de-phong-tranh-va-dieu-tri-10294432.html