Few people know that inflammation of the sciatic nerve (or, scientifically, sciatica) is not a separate disease. In so many cases, sciatica is actually a consequence of various other diseases. Therefore, with him, first of all, the root cause is treated - the ailment that caused sciatica, and in parallel with this the symptomatic treatment of this inflammation. But first, let's look at what this body signal represents, indicating a disaster.
In the human body, the sciatic nerve begins in the lumbar region and passes through the tailbone, buttocks and back of the legs. In a fairly large number of people, this nerve periodically becomes inflamed or infringed. In itself, this is not life threatening, but since inflammation affects the nerve, as with any problem associated with nerves, a person feels a very strong pain syndrome. Of course, not every pain in the lumbar region and legs indicates inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of the disease can be very different, but they are connected by one symptom that helps the doctor diagnose sciatica in the patient: pain in one half of the body.
What should be the pain, and what causes it? Causes of pinching or inflammation of the nerve may be a complete or partial displacement of one of the vertebral discs, trauma to the pelvis (or organs and even muscles located in this area), tumors of various origins, piriformis syndrome, and other rather serious diseases. Therefore, if you suspect that you have inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the symptoms of this disease should be confirmed by the doctor. Nothing definite can be said about the pain experienced by sciatica: some complain of dull pain in one thigh, while the other thigh is "numb", others complain of stitching or cutting pain in the thigh or lower leg. Someone is talking about tingling or stretching a leg, while someone is simply losing the ability to move. Such a different nature of the pain depends on the degree of inflammation of the sciatic nerve - after all, sciatica appears at first in a very weakened form and only intensifies over time, discomfort, numbness and slight tingling are replaced by pain. The degree of pain depends on the individual pain threshold of a person, and on the general condition of the body.
However, inflammation of the sciatic nerve - the symptoms and course of the disease can be easily guessed by a specialist. Localization of pain in one half of the body while numbing muscles in the other half is not the only symptom. Weakness in both legs (and sometimes in the hands), increased pain with certain physical actions - getting up, crouching (and even when laughing, coughing or sneezing), worsening pain at night or when lying down - all this indicates inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of sciatica are also expressed in the fact that the foot or knee joint can partially or completely lose mobility, as well as in weakened or abnormal neurological reflexes.
Is it possible to detect inflammation of the sciatic nerve at home? Try to stretch the foot of the affected leg forward and rotate it. Try to smoothly lift your leg up with a muscle effort. Does not work? Are you experiencing pain? Then you have one way - to a neurologist. A more accurate diagnosis will help with a blood test, an x-ray of the pelvic area, and other laboratory tests. And of course, the doctor will treat the main pathology, from which the sciatic nerve is inflamed. It is in your power to remove the main symptom of the disease - a sharp pain.
You can treat sciatic nerve infringement at home. Mandatory bed rest at least in the first three days. Avoid physical activity on the legs. If the pain is very severe, resort to the help of anesthetics - ibuprofen. The doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. You can try for 10 minutes to apply ice packs to the affected areas. Honey compresses of 3 tablespoons of honey mixed with one tablet of powdered analgin are well relieved by pain.