Are you dealing with what your doctor calls a “bulging disc”? And are you wondering how to deal with this bulging disc? In order to treat your bulging disc properly you need to have a good understanding of what it is, how it is caused, and what the symptoms are. All of this information will better equip you to choose a treatment option that fits your specific condition.
A Bulging Disc
A bulging disc is a condition of a disc in your back and is typically one of the first steps in a disc disease. A bulging disc occurs when the outer layer of the disc is still intact but the inner part of the disc is bulging against the outer layer. This causes the outer layer to bulge out into the spinal canal and possibly come into contact with the spinal nerves. This can create pressure on the spinal canal and nerves and can result in extreme pain. If you are experiencing a bulging disc it is important to go to your doctor and discover what the cause is behind the bulging disc so that you can get fast and effective treatment started.
If left unattended a bulging disc can deteriorate into a herniated disc, where the outer wall actually tears and the inner substance of the disc leaks out into the spinal canal.
What Causes a Bulging Disc?
There are a number of possible causes for a bulging disc. One of the most common is age. As we get older, our bodies are subject to the wear and tear of life and need more maintenance than when they were younger. Since our spine is central to our mobility and quality of life it is very important to take care of it and when problems do occur to treat them promptly and properly.
Having spinal problems, including problems with bulging discs, can be genetic. If you discover you are suffering from a bulging disc, check into your family’s medical history to see if that is a common thread. In the very least if you don’t find any evidence of it in your family history you can rule that out as a possible cause for your bulging disc.
A bulging disc could be a symptom of another back problem-so never hesitate to check on the health of your back. If you are suffering from extreme pain it could be that there is a much bigger problem than just the bulging disc.
Note that many people have bulging discs and don’t even know it! A bulging disc may not be associated with any back pain and if that is your case you are very fortunate! In a lot of instances people may not even realize they have a bulging disc until they undergo some form of medical imaging, most commonly an MRI.
How to Seek Treatment
If you are suffering from back pain or if your family has a history of back problems and you want to know how healthy your back really is, the first step would be to go to your doctor so that he can refer you for medical imaging (MRI). The MRI will quickly show your doctor if there are any problems and how serious they are. Then your doctor can provide you with a treatment plan.
Treatment Options
The first and most common treatment would be prescribed pain medication to manage and reduce the pain that the bulging disc is causing. Of course this is not a permanent solution as it is never recommended to be on a pain relievers for an extended period of time.
Another treatment suggestion would be specified exercises designed to stretch out the area where the bulging disc is. Your doctor would most likely refer you to a physical therapist who is qualified to deal with these types of conditions and who can prescribe the most effective exercises.
If these simple treatments don’t help alleviate the pain, your doctor may prescribe cortisone shots. Cortisone shots are used to help reduce any swelling or to provide pain relief. However, this is not a permanent solution; the pain relief is only temporary.
If none of these treatments work and the bulging disc is affecting your mobility to an uncomfortable level, you may wish to pursue surgery. However, please discuss this with your doctor and have your doctor outline the success ratio, recovery time and possible dangers and/or side effects of such a surgery. Any surgery on your spine is a very serious matter and should only be considered if all other treatment options have been unsuccessful.
This article is considered general information only; please consult a medical professional concerning your specific condition.
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