The spine is composed of 33 bones, which are known as vertebrae. In total, there are seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae and five lumbar vertebrae. The sacrum is composed of five vertebrae that are fused together and it lies below the 5th lumbar vertebra and thereafter the coccyx follows which composed of three fused vertebrae.
In between the vertebrae are soft cartilages that work like shock absorbers. These cartilages are composed of a soft inner layer known as the nucleus, and an outer layer known as the known as annulus fibrosus. The cartilages are known as spinal discs, which tend to degenerate with aging. The degeneration can also occur due to an injury causing the soft inner layer to herniate out of tough outer layer. This condition is known as herniated disc. The herniation can result in pain, numbness and weakness in the limbs and lower back. Generally, it occurs between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, but it can also occur in cervical region of the spine.
If the herniation is because of aging, it is called degenerative disc disease. Generally, as a person begins to age, the elasticity and amount of water present in the nucleus decreases causing herniated disc. People between 30 and 50 years are more prone to suffering from this problem. Herniated disc can also occur due to lifting of heavy objects.
At times, falling or injuring the spine can also result in herniation of the discs. It has been seen that people who smoke tend to be at a higher risk of suffering from herniated disc. Also, being overweight or obese; being more than five feet eleven inches tall in case of men and five feet seven inches in case of women; of working in jobs that cause too much stress on the spine can result in herniated disc.
The symptoms of herniated disc depend on where the herniation occurs. If the herniation presses down on nerves, it results in pain as well as numbness of the legs and back. If the herniation occurs in the lower portion of the back, it will lead to sciatica that can radiate to the legs and buttocks. In addition, the pain may worsen while sitting, coughing or sneezing. In case the herniation occurs in the upper portion of the back, it leads to pain in the neck that radiates to the shoulders and upper parts of the arm.
Other symptoms include numbness, weakness, spasms in the muscles, and tingling sensation. If herniated disc is not treated, it can lead to numbness in the legs, bowel or bladder incontinence, and progressive and continuous loss of sensation in the limbs.
In between the vertebrae are soft cartilages that work like shock absorbers. These cartilages are composed of a soft inner layer known as the nucleus, and an outer layer known as the known as annulus fibrosus. The cartilages are known as spinal discs, which tend to degenerate with aging. The degeneration can also occur due to an injury causing the soft inner layer to herniate out of tough outer layer. This condition is known as herniated disc. The herniation can result in pain, numbness and weakness in the limbs and lower back. Generally, it occurs between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, but it can also occur in cervical region of the spine.
If the herniation is because of aging, it is called degenerative disc disease. Generally, as a person begins to age, the elasticity and amount of water present in the nucleus decreases causing herniated disc. People between 30 and 50 years are more prone to suffering from this problem. Herniated disc can also occur due to lifting of heavy objects.
At times, falling or injuring the spine can also result in herniation of the discs. It has been seen that people who smoke tend to be at a higher risk of suffering from herniated disc. Also, being overweight or obese; being more than five feet eleven inches tall in case of men and five feet seven inches in case of women; of working in jobs that cause too much stress on the spine can result in herniated disc.
The symptoms of herniated disc depend on where the herniation occurs. If the herniation presses down on nerves, it results in pain as well as numbness of the legs and back. If the herniation occurs in the lower portion of the back, it will lead to sciatica that can radiate to the legs and buttocks. In addition, the pain may worsen while sitting, coughing or sneezing. In case the herniation occurs in the upper portion of the back, it leads to pain in the neck that radiates to the shoulders and upper parts of the arm.
Other symptoms include numbness, weakness, spasms in the muscles, and tingling sensation. If herniated disc is not treated, it can lead to numbness in the legs, bowel or bladder incontinence, and progressive and continuous loss of sensation in the limbs.
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