Do you have pain that radiates from your back down your leg? Let's talk about sciatica.

Do you sometimes feel a sharp pain that starts in your lower back and travels down your leg like an electric shock? Does this pain seem to get worse when you sit? Then you may have a common, but very annoying condition. We call it ' sciatica '. Don't worry, this is a condition that can often be cured. Let's talk about it in detail.

What is Sciatica?

Simply put, sciatica is pain caused by irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in our body. The sciatic nerve starts at the spinal cord in our lower back. It then travels through the buttocks and down the back of both legs.

If this nerve gets pinched somewhere, the pain it causes travels down the nerve. Think of it like someone stepping on a water pipe and blocking the flow of water. There can be a number of reasons for this pain. It could be from an accident, or it could be due to changes in the spine as we age.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

The experience of sciatica can vary from person to person, but there are some common symptoms. The pain can be constant or come and go.

Common symptoms:

• Lower back pain: This is the beginning.
• Pain that worsens when sitting: Pain in the buttock or leg may worsen when sitting.
• Pain in the hip area .
• A burning or tingling sensation along the leg: It may feel like an electric shock or like the leg is numb.
• Difficulty moving the leg or foot, weakness, or numbness.
• A sharp pain that occurs constantly or occasionally on one side of the body (buttock, leg, or hip).

For some, this pain can be so severe that it is unbearable. It can even make it impossible to perform daily tasks. But not everyone does. For some, this is just an occasional annoying pain. But if left untreated, it can get worse over time.

Warning signs that require immediate medical attention

If you have one or more of the following symptoms, do not waste time and see a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU). These could be signs of a more serious condition.

Causes and risk factors for sciatica

The main and most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc . We also call this a 'slipped disc'. Discs are the soft, jelly-like parts of our spine between the vertebrae. This is when a disc ruptures and its inner part comes out, pressing on the sciatic nerve.

Other common reasons:

• Lumbar spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back with age.
• Degenerative disk disease: Degeneration of the discs as we age.
• Spondylolisthesis : The slipping of one vertebra over another.
• Pregnancy: The growing baby can put pressure on the nerve.
• Muscle spasm in the back or buttocks.

Factors that increase risk:

• Aging: The risk of developing spinal changes (bone spurs, herniated discs) increases with age.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can damage nerves.
• Weight gain: Excess weight puts more pressure on the spine.
• Sitting in one place without exercising (Sedentary lifestyle).
• Smoking.
• Always wearing high heels.
• Your job: People who sit all day, drive, have jobs that require frequent bending or lifting weights are at higher risk.
• Conditions such as endometriosis .

How do you know for sure that this is sciatica?

When you see a doctor, he will first ask about your pain. For example:

• When did these symptoms start?
• Have you had a recent back injury?
• Do you have numbness or weakness in your legs?
• What positions make the pain worse/worse?

Then, the doctor will examine you. He will test your reflexes and muscle strength. He may ask you to walk on your toes or heels. This will help you understand the exact cause of the pain.

If the pain is severe or there are symptoms such as muscle weakness, your doctor may order imaging tests (scans).

• X-ray: Check for bone problems, such as bone spurs.
• CT scan: Get a clearer picture of the spine and nerves.
• MRI scan: This is the best way to get a very detailed look at the spine, discs, and nerves.
• Electromyography (EMG): A test that measures the speed at which signals travel through nerves. This can help determine if a herniated disc is pinching a nerve.

What are the treatments for sciatica?

Fortunately, there are a number of treatments for sciatica. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment based on the severity of your condition.

Home remedies

In addition to the treatment provided by your doctor, there are several things you can do at home.

• Cold and hot compresses: For the first two or three days, apply an ice pack (ice wrapped in a towel) to the painful area for about 20 minutes. Do this several times a day. After a few days, applying a hot water bottle may provide relief.
• Walking and Stretching: If the pain is severe, rest for a day or two. But don't stay in bed all the time. Movement is very important for the healing process. Walking for short distances and doing simple stretching exercises as prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist can improve blood circulation and reduce pain. But don't do any exercise that increases pain.

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