Customer question:
What is sciatica? Anonymous customer question
Pharmacist's answer:
Sciatica is a common condition and can be recognized as nerve root or radicular pain. Sciatica is a term used to describe pain in the leg, which often originates in the lower back. The sciatic nerve originates from the lower back and extends down the back of the leg into the foot.
Symptoms can occur along any part of the nerve. They can appear suddenly or slowly and vary in intensity from mild to severe. The sciatic nerve controls several muscles in the lower leg and provides sensation to the skin of the foot and most of the lower leg. Sciatica is not a condition but a symptom of a specific other problem involving the sciatic nerve.
How common is sciatica?
Some experts estimate that up to 40 percent of people will experience sciatica at least once.
Who most often has problems with sciatica?
Men have been shown to experience sciatica up to three times more often than women. And while people can suffer from sciatic nerve pain as early as their 20s, it is most common in adults in their 40s and 50s.
What are the risk factors for the occurrence of sciatica?
Several factors can cause or contribute to the development of sciatica:
- Age: Age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated discs and bone spurs, are common causes of sciatica.
- Obesity: being overweight can contribute to changes in the spine that trigger sciatica.
- Occupation: Jobs requiring lifting heavy objects, bending the back, or driving for long periods can increase the risk of sciatica.
- Prolonged sitting: people who sit for a long time or lead a sedentary lifestyle are exposed to a higher risk.
- Postural habits: Poor posture, frequent wearing of high heels, or sleeping on a mattress that is too soft or worn can contribute to sciatica.
- Diabetes: increased risk of nerve damage.
What can cause sciatica?
The causes of sciatica problems can mainly be the following:
- Lumbar herniated disc: This condition, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the inner jelly-like substance of the intervertebral disc protrudes through the outer layer and presses on nearby nerve roots.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis: Narrowing the spinal canal in the lumbar region can compress nerve roots.
- Spondylolisthesis: a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, compressing the nerve roots.
- Piriformis syndrome: in this condition, the piriformis muscle in the buttocks can compress the sciatic nerve.
- Trauma: Accidents or injuries can cause damage to the lumbar spine or cause inflammation leading to sciatica.
- Tumors: rarely, tumors in the lumbar spine or along the sciatic nerve path can cause compression.
- Infections: In rare cases, lumbar spine infections can cause sciatica.
Interesting reading: Lumbago with sciatica
