Inflammation of the sciatic nerve in medicinethe name sciatica, periodically occurs in a fairly large number of people. Many people mistakenly believe that this phenomenon in itself is a disease. However, this is not entirely true - most often, inflammation of the sciatic nerve is only a consequence of various other diseases. In itself, this condition does not pose a particular danger, but it brings a sick person a lot of unpleasant minutes and pain. If you remember a little school anatomy, you can easily imagine the sciatic nerve - it begins in the lumbar region, and stretches through the tailbone and the back of both legs. It is the sciatic rhythm that is responsible for the normal functioning of the legs and the sensitivity of the entire surface of the legs. Of course, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, like any other disease, does not occur just like that - certain reasons are needed for this. Let's try to figure out what can lead to this problem:
- Displacement - full or partial - of the vertebral disc.
- The patient has pear-shaped muscle syndrome.
- Any injuries of any organs, or even muscles located in the pelvic area.
- The presence of a sick person with tumors, and of any origin.
As you can see, this nerve is often inflamed.may indicate the presence of some disease, sometimes quite serious. Of course, you shouldn't panic and get scared if you notice symptoms of inflammation - most often the cause is a trivial trifle, but you still shouldn't ignore a visit to the doctor. Such a visit to the doctor will take much less time than the subsequent treatment of some advanced serious disease, which can knock you out of your usual rut for a very long time.
Symptoms of sciatica
There is no need to worry about thispathology will remain unnoticed - if a person's sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, he will certainly notice it. The symptoms are too obvious and very unpleasant. Although it would be more correct to say - a symptom. For a person who does not have a medical education, the only visible symptom will be pain. Moreover, this pain caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve is so diverse that it is unlikely to be possible to unambiguously characterize it. Everything depends on several different factors: this is the general condition of the body of the sick person, and the degree of inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and the individual pain threshold of sensitivity, and much more. Some people with inflammation of the sciatic nerve characterize pain as weak, barely perceptible tingling or pulling, someone complains that the pain is dull, and someone describes a very burning pain that almost completely deprives the sick person of the ability to move. So it is impossible to predict what kind of pain it will be. But the fact that it will still happen is beyond doubt. However, pain caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve has some distinctive features that allow the attending physician to suspect this particular ailment. In almost all cases, pain is localized only in one half of the body. For example, many patients feel a sharp cutting pain in one hip or leg, while at the same time in the other leg or hip there is a strong numbness of the muscles. In addition, in some cases, pain can even be felt in one of the shins, while in the second there will also be a numbness. As a rule, numbness periodically gives way to a strong tingling. In addition, the patient feels quite strong weakness in both legs, and sometimes in the arm, on the affected side. Although, fortunately, this happens extremely easily. Painful sensations during the inflammatory process affecting the sciatic nerve almost never occur immediately and intensely. At first, the pain is very weak, but its intensity gradually increases. As numerous observations show, the pain is especially strong at night. The pain can also be intensified by certain physical actions - when a person sits down or, on the contrary, gets up, laughs, sneezes or coughs. And in particularly severe cases, the sick person is practically unable to move at all without painkillers. Therefore, most often doctors recommend that the sick person observe strict bed rest.
Diagnosis of the disease
In order to start the necessary work in a timely mannerwhen treating sciatic nerve inflammation, it must be diagnosed. Of course, an experienced doctor most often determines this inflammation at first glance. However, as mentioned above, inflammation of the nerve does not occur on its own, but is a consequence of one or another disease. And it is this disease that must be diagnosed as quickly as possible, until it begins to progress even faster and does not entail other problems. Diagnostics are carried out in a variety of ways - depending on the skills and preferences of the doctor, the general condition of the patient, his complaints. But in any case, the doctor must examine the patient. As a rule, in almost all cases of sciatic nerve inflammation, the doctor discovers the following during examination:
- Violation of normal mobility or feet,either the knee joint, or both. This difficulty is especially obvious if you ask a sick person to extend the foot forward, or turn it to her.
- Or simply weakened neurologic reflexes, or sometimes even abnormal.
- A lot of pain if a sick person tries to lift his leg up.
In addition, the doctor will certainly prescribe some tests for the sick person that will help make a more accurate diagnosis:
- Laboratory blood test, including biochemical.
- Radiographic examination of the pelvis.
If necessary, if previous studies have not helped to establish a diagnosis, the doctor may decide on the need for magnetic resonance therapy.
Treatment of sciatica
As you might guess, in order toTo get rid of sciatic nerve inflammation, you must first begin treating the underlying disease, which is the root cause of the pathology. Although, of course, there is so-called symptomatic treatment, which is designed to alleviate the manifestations of the inflammatory process affecting this nerve. If a person has an inflamed sciatic nerve, treatment is primarily aimed at reducing the intensity of pain. There are several basic methods for this - both physical and pharmacological. In the first few days, doctors recommend making cool compresses. For this, you can use a soft cloth soaked in cold water. And even better - wrap ice cubes in the same soft cloth. These compresses should be applied to those places where the pain is felt most strongly. The duration of the compress should not exceed ten minutes. If the pain bothers the sick person too much, he can take painkillers that can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. For example, ibuprofen. However, all these measures will be effective only if the sick person stays in bed, at least for the first two days. It is necessary to return to normal physical activity after the disease gradually. For at least ten weeks, it is necessary to avoid not only lifting weights, but also any excessive activity in general. After four weeks, you can return to sports, but in a gentle mode. And only after six weeks can physical activity be fully restored. In some cases, if the pain is too strong and no “soft” methods can relieve it, the doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers. In addition, in cases where the inflammatory process is too strong, the doctor may prescribe the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Traditional medicine also offers several simple but extremely effective recipes. However, before using them, make sure that the sick person does not have allergic reactions to the components.
Be careful - the danger!
In any case, the sick person shouldseek medical help. However, there are some situations in which a sick person should seek medical help as soon as possible. This should be done if a person experiences the following situations:
- The temperature rises above 38 degrees. Before you bring down the temperature, be sure to seek medical help.
- The onset of swelling or redness of the skin on the back of a sick person.
- Pain sensations that have arisen in the upper part of the leg, gradually move lower.
- A strong feeling of numbness in the pelvis, hips, or legs. In such cases, a person simply "undermines" his legs, in other words.
- The appearance of a burning sensation during urination, or the presence of blood in the urine.
- In the prone position, the pain is greatly intensified, and also causes you to wake up at night. Increased pain on the second and third days.
In all the above cases, the patientA person should never try to get rid of the pain caused by sciatica on their own. Complications can be quite serious, so it is not worth taking risks. We recommend reading:
