Modern medicine has gone so far as to save a person from many diseases that until recently seemed almost incurable. However, the problems concerning some pathologies still remain quite relevant. This also applies to diseases of the spine, which every year more and more affect the inhabitants of our planet, starting to appear in the young part of the population.
According to statistics, more than half of all people living in different countries of the world complain of back pain. However, only 20% of them come for a consultation with a doctor to get the help of official medicine. This also applies to sciatica. Such a disease of the spine also often affects people, significantly reducing their performance.
Pathology definition
What is sciatica? This is a pathology of the spine caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
In order to understand what sciatica is, it is necessary to clarify how the human nervous system works. It is a thin grid of highways-conductors that penetrate through the human body. Moreover, thanks in large part to the nervous system, an organism that is complex in structure works. Despite such an important role, this thin mesh has a rather fragile structure that can fail at any moment. Its dysfunction and leads to the emergence of a wide variety of pathologies, one of which is sciatica. What is sciatic nerve inflammation? This is one of those diseases that contribute to serious health problems.
The sciatic nerve in the human body is the longest. It begins in the lumbosacral spine, passes through the coccyx, and then its branches cover the thighs, knees, legs, feet and fingers. Thus, we can say that the sciatic nerve is located in all parts of the lower extremities. In this regard, it is he who is responsible for the sensitivity and mobility of our legs. In the lumbosacral, this nerve contributes to the proper functioning of those organs that are in the pelvic area.
Types of pathology
What is sciatica? This is a disease caused by inflammation of the longest nerve in our body.
According to its etiology, sciatica is divided into two types:
- Primary. The reason for the development of this pathology is an infectious or toxic lesion of the nerve itself.
- Secondary. What is sciatica of this species? This is a lesion of the hip joint or femur, causing their further inflammation. Most often, secondary sciatica occurs in connection with the occurring pathological changes in the internal organs.
The causes of the disease
What causes sciatica? Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is due to:
- displacement of the intervertebral disc, which provokes narrowing of the lumen of the spinal canal, and pinching of the nerve roots;
- injury to the muscular apparatus or pelvic organs.
Most often, the occurrence of sciatica provokes:
- Osteoarthrosis and osteochondrosis. In the course of the development of such pathologies, the formation of bone outgrowths occurs, compressing the nerve and provoking the onset of the inflammatory process.
- Infection. In this case, the nerve is damaged by toxins. It becomes inflamed, which leads to the development of sciatica. A similar phenomenon is observed with tuberculosis and syphilis, typhoid and malaria.
- Intoxication of the body. Sciatica often becomes a consequence of poisoning the body with alcohol or harmful substances from the outside, as well as elements produced by internal organs in diabetes and gout.
- Hypothermia. When exposed to low temperatures, the protective reactions of the body are weakened. This provokes the development of the inflammatory process.
Manifestation of pathology
Symptoms of the disease can be expressed in different ways. The fact is that in one person the pathology develops rather slowly, and in another - rapidly. But always the main symptom of inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) is pain that occurs along the location of the nerve fibers. It comes down to an uncomfortable condition in the lower back, which extends to the buttock and descends along the back of the thigh, and then to the lower leg and foot. The resulting pain is sharp shooting character. It is amplified by the load and movements. Another characteristic sign of sciatica sciatica is a symptom of tension. That is, the pain increases sharply when the body or head is tilted forward, as well as when the leg is bent, affected by the disease.
As a rule, discomfort with sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve) occurs only on one side of the body. However, at this time, the second leg of a person, as a rule, goes numb, and then a tingling sensation arises at the site of the lesion.
But sometimes both lower limbs are involved in the pathological process. In this case, the pain in them, as a rule, varies in its intensity.
The first manifestations of the pathology are expressed by a weak pain syndrome. It occurs only against the background of significant physical exertion.
When symptoms of sciatica appear, the treatment of pathology should not be put off the shelf. Pain does not need to endure. It is necessary to get rid of it as soon as possible. Otherwise, the disease will be launched, and its consequences will become critical. Exacerbation of the pathology causes the occurrence of debilitating symptoms. A person in this case loses mobility.
Extremely rarely, pain with inflammation (sciatica) appears in the lumbar region, then spreading along the entire length of the nerve. But sometimes they arise in the area of ββthe foot or lower leg. Sometimes the pain accompanying the course of sciatica appears only in the toes. However, as the pinching of the roots of the sciatic nerve increases, it will certainly increase. The intensity of the pain syndrome increases at night. In severe pathologies, the patient's ability to move is limited.
Another specific feature of the disease is a paroxysmal manifestation of the pain syndrome. At the same time, the onset of uncomfortable sensations alternates with some calm.
In the event that the cause of the disease is trauma or chronic infection, its symptoms appear very slowly. The intensification of pain occurs only under the influence of some side factors, for example, hypothermia.
Why should symptoms of sciatica be treated immediately? The fact is that the sciatic nerve provides the innervation of different muscle groups. That is why its inflammation and pinching can lead to atrophy of some of them. For example, a person may begin to feel discomfort when he bends his knee, or begins to suffer from malfunctions of the internal organs.
Female features of pathology
Sciatica often accompanies pregnancy. Its appearance is promoted by an increase in the size of the uterus, which begins to put pressure on the nerve. But this is not the only reason for this pathology.
Sometimes in women preparing to become mothers, it manifests itself due to some diseases of the spine, for example, osteochondrosis or hernia.
Get rid of the pathology
How to eliminate the symptoms of sciatica and treat at home as successfully as possible? It is worth noting that it is not always possible to restore health independently with such a pathology. For example, you canβt do this with a strong pinched nerve or its rupture. In this case, home treatment for sciatica can become hazardous to health, as it can lead to disability. An intolerable pain in the sacrum, a complete loss of sensitivity in the lower limb, as well as a sharp increase in body temperature will indicate the advanced stage of the disease. In such cases, a visit to a doctor is necessary.
How to treat sciatic sciatic nerve? The most usual way for us is taking pills. However, in this case only a short-term effect will be obtained. Pills can not completely relieve a person from pain, and also prevent the occurrence of relapses. The only way to eliminate the ailment is a complex effect on the very cause of its appearance. We will get acquainted with those therapeutic methods that can eliminate the pathology.
First aid
Pinched nerve endings always occur suddenly, which does not allow to predict such a condition in advance. If such situations arise, then a person will need emergency assistance. It must be laid on the stomach, picking up a measure of hard and smooth surface. Any unstable or bending bed will not work in this case. Such surfaces can only aggravate the condition.
To make it easier for the patient, they put a small pillow or a hard roller under his chest. Further, an anti-inflammatory ointment is applied to the upper buttocks or lower back. After the pain subsides a little, the patient should be helped to roll over from the abdomen to the back by placing a pillow under the lower back. In this case, you should slightly raise his lower legs. For this, a tight roller is placed under the legs. In such situations, you should not do rubbing, as well as apply warming compresses and heating pads. At the initial stage of the pathology, such actions can increase inflammation, worsening the patient's condition.
Intramuscular injection
How to treat sciatica? The fastest and most effective way to get rid of the disease is the introduction of intramuscular injections. They produce an effect directly on the affected nerve, considered the safest for the body. In addition, they have a minimum list of contraindications, quickly relieve swelling and pain, and also reduce the time to eliminate the disease.
How to treat sciatica? For injection with pathology, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Analgesics and NSAIDs. With the help of these medications, an anti-inflammatory effect is exerted on the area of ββthe pathology. After such injections, pain is reduced, and the heat in the affected area is also eliminated.
- Painkillers based on novocaine. These medications are recommended to be used only for very severe pain, when other drugs are poorly effective. If novocaine blockade is impossible due to an allergy to such drugs, it is replaced using lidocaine or its analogues.
- Corticosteroids. The action of drugs in this group is much more effective than NSAIDs. They are indicated in case of severe inflammation of the nerve. However, it should be borne in mind that such medications are hormonal, and, due to their side effects, should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor.
- Muscle relaxants. Injections with the use of such drugs help eliminate muscle spasms and relax muscles around the focus of the disease.
In addition to the drugs in these groups, vitamin complexes, including elements such as B1, B6, and B12, can be introduced to improve tissue degeneration and enhance blood flow in them. Such injections will improve the general condition of the patient.
It is important to remember that injections at home should be made by a person who has the appropriate experience. In this case, only those prescribed by the attending physician should be used. In the case of an inept injection, the patient's condition only worsens. That is why it is not worth risking your health. If symptoms of sciatica occur, home treatment of this pathology with the use of injections is possible only if someone close to them can do them. If there is no such person in the immediate environment, then the main emphasis should be on tablets and external agents.
Taking medication
How to treat sciatica at home with pills? For the use of such tools, specialist advice is not required, but desirable. After all, all drugs have side effects and contraindications.
The most effective drugs for sciatica are Ibuprofen and Celebrex, Indomethacin and Ketoprofen. Applied in this case, and well-known to all pharmaceuticals "Analgin." Taking these pills can relieve spasms and pain due to blocking the production of prostaglandin (this substance is actively produced by the body in those places where nerve damage occurs). The main disadvantage of the tablets is their slower effect compared to injections. In addition, they have a negative effect on the digestive tract.
The use of external funds
How to treat sciatica at home and eliminate the symptoms of the disease, expressed in pain syndromes, as soon as possible? The best option for this is external means. They have a minimal amount of side effects, have an effect directly on the pathology site. The use of such funds is possible without first consulting a doctor. Which of the ointments offered by pharmacies today are considered the most effective for sciatica? Their list includes drugs:
- NSAIDs. These are gels, ointments and creams with anti-inflammatory effects. After application to the lesion, they quickly penetrate into the tissues and effectively eliminate pain and swelling. The most popular means of this group are Voltaren, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Nimulide.
- Warming. In the composition of such funds are substances that have irritating properties. Among them are camphor, bee venom, turpentine. Warming up the muscles, such tissues saturate the restrained nerve with oxygen, eliminating the pain. The most popular are ointments such as Finalgon, Viprosal B, Capsicam.
- Combined. These products contain components that have a regenerative, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The most popular of them are Dimexidum and Dolobene.
- Chondroprotectors. These ointments contain special compounds that restore ligamentous and cartilage tissue. Such ointments should be used in cases where arthrosis, osteochondrosis and other ailments become the cause of sciatica. Popular ointments of this group are Chondroxide and Teraflex M.
Physiotherapy
Using special exercises, the pinched nerve can be unlocked. This will eliminate pain and muscle cramps. Exercise therapy is also useful for the prevention of sciatica.
Classes are held only after the pain is eliminated. This is especially important in cases where the inflammation is developed quite strongly, and there is swelling of the tissues and an increase in the temperature of the pathological site. When performing exercises of medical gymnastics in a similar state, the disease will be even worse.
All movements during exercise therapy should be smooth, measured, without jerking and twisting. If a sharp pain occurs, the session should be discontinued and the muscles relaxed for a few minutes.
Anyone who correctly performs special exercises feels a positive result almost immediately. However, to consolidate it, the lessons will need to be continued, conducting them 2-3 times a day for one week.