Understanding why herniated disk pain ebbs and flows is crucial for those grappling with this condition's unpredictable nature. In this exploration, we delve into the intricacies behind the fluctuating course of symptoms, unravelling the complex mechanisms governing their waxing and waning. Herniated disks, common spinal ailments, can cause various symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe pain and functional limitations. However, what sets this condition apart is its unpredictability – periods of relief interspersed with bouts of agony. To demystify this phenomenon, we dissect the dynamic interplay of physiological processes, external factors, and individual characteristics shaping herniated disk symptomatology. From nerve compression variations to inflammation dynamics and the influence of movement and posture, each factor contributes to the intricate fabric of herniated disk pain. By examining these mechanisms closely, we shed light on the underlying forces dictating symptom fluctuation, empowering individuals with herniated disks to navigate their journey with newfound understanding.
Migraines can be debilitating to those who suffer from them, so it’s important to try and identify what factors could be triggering your migraine. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but it is thought to be a result of atypical brain activity which affects nerve signals in the brain, chemicals, and blood vessels. The cause of this change in brain activity is unknown, but it could be genetic.
Heat and ice can be great tools for helping treat or ease a wide range of ailments from chronic pain to injury and inflammation. They can also help in certain medical conditions such as arthritis. But which one to use? The general rule is that ice helps with swelling and inflammation whereas heat aids healing and reduces muscle stiffness or spasms. Let’s get a bit more specific, and get you on the road to recovery.
Back pain is a very common condition that is estimated to affect around a quarter of the population at any one time. Most of us will experience some type of back pain during our lives, and it is one of the most common reasons for having to take time off work. Our back is a complex structure that is made up of many parts, including small facet joints, intervertebral disks, ligaments, and muscles - any of which can be a source of back pain. Fortunately, most people with back pain don’t have a serious cause for it, and it usually gets better by itself within a week or so with a combination of rest, painkillers and self-help. However, there are occasions when back pain can be a sign that something is seriously wrong, and urgent medical attention is needed. In this article we look at when back pain may be an emergency and what to do if you think it is.
Phlebitis (also known as superficial thrombophlebitis) occurs when the superficial veins in your skin become inflamed, with the potential of having a small blood clot form inside of them. It typically occurs in the veins in your leg but it can occur in any vein in your body. Different things can trigger the inflammation. Trauma or injury to the vein (for example from a blood test), people with problems with their veins already (for example varicose veins or a previous blood clot), or people who have conditions that make their blood clot more easily. People who smoke, or are immobile, or have had major surgery are also more at risk.
A rotator cuff tear refers to a tear of one of the tendons of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder are a set of tendons responsible for the movement of the shoulder in different directions. A rotator cuff tear is a cause of shoulder pain and is typically associated with weakness of certain shoulder movements. Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and become more common with increasing age. Rotator cuff tears in younger people are most likely the result of a specific injury, whereas rotator cuff tears in older people are typically the result of longstanding tendon degeneration.
Many patients have low back pain, hip pain, or a combination of both and it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish exactly where the pain is coming from unless you know what you are looking for. In this article I will talk about herniated disks (slipped disks) and hip pain, and how you can find out if your pain is coming from your back or your hip. You can also learn more about slipped disks, back pain and hip problems here at Healthwords.
Sciatica is a broad term used to describe symptoms caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve or its contributing nerve branches. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve present at the back of the leg - it passes the lower back, down the hamstrings, and the outside of the lower leg to the foot. It controls the muscles at the back of the thigh, all muscles below the knee, and it provides sensation to the skin of most of the leg. Sciatica is characterized by a sensation of pain, tingling, or burning passing along the course of the nerve, extending from the lower back down into the leg. The specific location of the pain or altered sensation is dependent upon the nerves that are irritated or compressed. Sciatica is often associated with low back pain. The most common cause of sciatica is from a prolapsed intervertebral disk. Here a part of the fluid-filled center of the intervertebral disks (the disks which separate each of the spinal column bones) is allowed to leak out through a tear in the outer disk layer. This prolapse, or disk bulge, causes direct compression or irritation of a nerve which causes the symptoms of sciatica.
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness of large muscles of the body such as the shoulder and hip muscles. PMR mainly affects adults over 65 years of age, and females are more likely to experience it than men. The cause of PMR is largely unknown, but genetics and environmental factors are said to play a part. PMR is linked to and can also occur alongside a condition called giant cell arteritis (also known as temporal arteritis). This is another inflammatory condition that causes inflammation of the artery in your temple and can lead to changes in vision, headaches, scalp tenderness, and jaw pain.
Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the plantar fascia in your foot - is a painful condition characterized by discomfort under your heel when walking and is sometimes called ‘jogger’s heel’ although you do not have to be a jogger to develop it! It is quite common and is believed to affect up to 5-7% of adults at some stage in their lives, being slightly more likely to develop in women. The condition is common in middle age, typically developing in people aged 40-60 and although the majority of cases improve on their own, it can cause significant discomfort in some people, having a huge impact on them.
Reactive arthritis is a reaction that occurs in your body, usually after you’ve had some sort of infection. It causes an arthritis\-type response in your joints with symptoms of swelling, redness, and inflammation. Commonly it affects the joints of the lower body, including the knees and hips, but it can also affect any joint. In the majority of cases, there are no long-term complications, although it can take a few months to clear up completely.
A slipped disk (disk herniation can describe a tear of the outer fibrous layer of the intervertebral disk, with or without protrusion of some of the inner gelatinous layer. In a slipped disk, a tear of the outer fibrous layer can cause significant pain that is usually specific to one area of the neck or back, depending upon which disk is involved. If there is also a bulging of the inner gelatinous layer that irritates or compresses one of the nerves around the spine, this can result in significant pain, numbness, weakness or tingling that extends into a limb. This is most often seen in the legs and is commonly referred to as sciatica. Slipped disks can occur following a specific injury or episode of heavy lifting. More commonly, however, slipped disks occur as a result of age-related wear and tear. As we age our intervertebral disks become stiffer and are more at risk of rupturing. This process occurs typically in stages. Here at Healthwords, we know how difficult a slipped disk can be so in this article we look at the four stages of disk herniation and how they can be treated.