Back pains rank among the most common widespread diseases. Overweight, lack of movement, overstrain and stress are just some reasons for back pain. But, sometimes back pain is a sign of a slipped disc. Here, severe pain in the cervical- or lumbar-spine arise; this pain also radiates into other body parts (arms or legs).
Intervertebral discs
The intervertebral discs serve as connection between single vertebral bodies. At the same time, they damp vibrations and impacts. The intervertebral discs consist of a soft gelatinous core that is surrounded by an outer ring. During daytime, our vertebras are highly stressed and the water content of the gelatinous core is reduced. This leads to a smaller space between the vertebras; and to a smaller body height in the evening (up to 2 cm). At night during sleeping, the water content rises again. When laying, the vertebras are relieved.
With increasing age, a physical wear of the intervertebral discs is very likely. The elasticity of the gelatinous core diminishes, the outer ring becomes brittle. In case the outer ring breaks, the fluid of the gelatinous core might leak, protrude or shift. When the leaking gelatinous core puts pressure on the proximate spinal cord nerves and nerve roots we are talking about a herniated disc. With the precursor of a herniated disc – a disc protrusion – the outer ring still is intact.
Further causes of a disc hernia/slipped disc
Besides the age-related wear and tear there are further causes for disc hernia:
- malpositions (e.g. long sitting)
- lack of movement
- incorrect loading (e.g. heavy lifting)
- poor musculature in the back
- overweight
- sometimes injuries or accidents
- genetically caused weakness of the connective tissue
Read more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in slipped disc #2.
Imagesource: @fotolia
