Bulging Disc Treatment – Symptoms and Causes

Your spine consists of vertebrae that function as a shock absorber and spinal discs in between, preventing damage to the spinal tissue and bone.

They help to make movement simpler as well. Discs have a rough shell and a core that is liquid-like. The movement or sliding of the disc from its usual location causes the fluid material to swell outward at the weakest point of the disc shell. The discs in between the spaces puff up in the spine. For a prolonged period, this phase occurs. The more a disease advances, the worse the symptoms get. Bulging discs may refer to a disc that is protruding.

The Symptoms

• If the stage of herniation has not yet reached a bulging disc, a patient may have little or no pain involved. Since it has not reached a certain degree of severity, a bulging disc can have no discomfort at all, and this may make it hard to recognize the signs of the bulging disc until the problem become more severe.

• Bulging discs most often produce pressure points on surrounding nerves that cause a number of sensations. Evidence of a bulging disc can, depending on the severity, range from mild tingling and numbness to moderate to extreme pain. In most cases, it is close or herniated when a bulging disc has reached this point.

• Tingling of the fingertips, palms, arms, neck or shoulders or discomfort. In the cervical region, this could mean a bulging disc.

• The feet, calves, lower spine and buttocks suffer from discomfort. This is the most prevalent sign and may suggest a problem in the lumbar area.

• Difficulty walking while carrying or holding items or sensation of disability.

Causes of Bulging Discs

A lot of wear and tear is absorbed by spinal discs. They start to degenerate and degrade over time. The most common cause of bulging discs is degenerative disc disease, often resulting in spinal osteoarthritis. Other variables that may cause or lead to bulging discs include:

• Tension or disability

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Bad posture

• Inactivity

How are they diagnosed with bulging discs?

Your doctor will send you a physical exam for treatment of bulging disc in neck if you have pressure that could be from a bulging or herniated disc. You're more likely to get one or more imaging tests. That involve spinal X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and CAT scan or CT scan. In order to check the condition of the nerves affected, your doctor can prescribe an electromyogram (EMG).

Choices for treatment

Luckily, there are many ways for a bulging disc to be handled.

Conservative treatment methods that are non-surgical are often referred to as nonoperative management. It requires rest and treatment and is always necessary for a bulging cervical disc to recover.

The first-line prescription treatments for a bulging disc are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Your doctor might prescribe a muscle relaxer for more intense pain.

Physical therapy can ease nerve pressure.

At-home traction devices can relieve nerve pressure.

Longer-term relief can be given by cortisone injections into the spine (known as epidural steroid injections, or ESI).

Cervical herniation is treated by numerous surgical procedures. Nevertheless, only about 10 percent of individuals with bulging discs subsequently need surgery.

Visit Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers for treating the problems of bulging disc or herniated disc. In OKC, make an appointment with us today for bulging disc treatment in neck.

**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice.