Intervertebral hernia: what it is, symptoms, prevention

Intervertebral hernia is a severe pathology that can seriously interfere with the life activity of a person. When such a formation occurs, often, the nerve that connects a certain internal organ to the spine is pinched. Because of this, not only are there acute pain, but also the functions of this organ are disturbed.

What is an intervertebral hernia, symptoms

When a person changes the position of the body, his intervertebral discs are compressed. The tissues that insulate them adjust to these movements and create a soft insulation. When an intervertebral hernia develops, the fibrous ring enlarges, stretches. This is how a protrusion is formed. This is the initial stage of the formation of herniated intervertebral discs. Over time, due to loads, the fibrous ring ruptures and the nucleus falls out. The patient begins to experience pain. He has complications in the nervous system in the area of the formation of intervertebral disc pathology.

With herniation, the intervertebral discs thin out. Because of this, the vertebrae rub against each other. This causes very severe pain. Depending on where the herniation occurs, there are these symptoms:

• Destruction of intervertebral discs in the thoracic region - difficulty breathing, pain at the level of the heart.
• Cervical herniation - head pain, dizziness, numbness in the hands and frequent changes in blood pressure.
• Protrusion or damage to intervertebral discs in the lumbosacral region - lower back pain, numbness in the groin, toes, deterioration of the genitourinary system.

Prevention of intervertebral hernia

This pathology is affected by such causes:

• Blows and other injuries to the back.
• Excessive body weight.
• Destruction of bone tissue.
• Sudden movement with force or excessive loads due to heavy lifting.
• Diseases that destroy bone or cartilage tissue.
• Curvature of the spine, congenital or acquired.

In the risk zone for the development of intervertebral hernia, people who have a high load on the spine. These are builders, loaders, truck drivers, office workers, seamstresses. When a person sits for a long time, the pressure on the spinal discs is much stronger than when walking. When mobility is limited, the blood supply in this area decreases, the reserves of fluid in the nucleus are lost.

Intervertebral hernia prevention measures:

• It is important to avoid prolonged sitting. If this is required by the profession, you should periodically get up and do warm-up, walk.
• It is necessary to drink enough clean water, a nutritious diet.
• You should not sharply lift excessive weights.
• Do physical exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back and sacrum. The doctor can recommend suitable training.

With any discomfort in the spine in the sacral area, with numbness in the arms or legs, it is important to see a doctor-neurologist who treats intervertebral hernias. He will determine whether the discomfort is caused by an intervertebral hernia or protrusion, and prescribe treatment. If such pathology is treated in the initial stages, you can get rid of this formation in about 1-2 years. In neglected cases, however, you can not do without surgery.