Sciatica Nerve Inflammation

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) is a disease that appears due to problems with the spine and infringement of the nerve roots.

Let's look at the causes and symptoms of this disease, as well as the methods of treatment.

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Causes of the sciatica

The causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve are associated with the appearance of a herniated intervertebral disc. But the inflammatory process can lead to even a simple at first glance hypothermia. The causes of sciatica nerve inflammation are many, let's consider the main ones:

• Injury of nerve endings of vertebrae. 
• Birth trauma and other lesions of the spine and sacrum. 
• Gynecological diseases and infringement of nerve roots. 
• Arthritis, tumors, diabetes. 
• Diseases of the spine. 
• Toxic and viral lesions of the sciatic nerve.

Precisely determine the cause of the disease will help only diagnostic methods. Since there are many diseases that have a similar symptomatology.

[7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]

Symptoms of the sciatica

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a disease that affects the largest nerve in the human body. The disease is called sciatica and manifests itself in the form of painful sensations in the lower back, the area of the cross or buttocks, affecting the entire back of the thigh, foot and lower leg. Painful symptoms can affect both one leg and both. In some patients, the disease has not clearly pronounced symptoms, but others take away the opportunity to sleep normally, stand and even sit.

Symptoms of sciatica are often confused with other diseases. The first symptoms of the disease are painful sensations. The pain can be one and two-sided. In some cases, instead of pain, in the sacrum and lower back, there is burning, tingling and numbness in the region of the sciatic nerve. Common symptoms of sciatica inflammation that occur in almost all patients are pain in the lower extremities, lesions of motor activity.

Symptoms can have different localization and degree. Pain can be aching, pulling, shooting. Another characteristic sciatica is temporary pain attacks, which alternate with a temporary weakening of pain symptoms. Pain is descending, localized in the lumbar region and descends below, down to the fingertips. Sometimes the pain is so severe that it almost paralyzes the patient. Any movements during an inflammatory attack cause piercing pains and even cramps.

Pain in sciatica

Pain in sciatic nerve inflammation often appear on one side. Pain can be blunt, persistent or aching. Sometimes the pain becomes acute and burning. But most often the pain has a paroxysmal character, sometimes shooting through the buttocks, back and legs. Pain is aggravated by movement, laughter, coughing and sneezing. Pain in inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes muscle weakness and numbness of the limbs.

To lead a normal way of life at the diagnosis of sciatica is almost impossible. That is why, with the first symptoms of the disease, you need to seek medical help, and not wait until the disease becomes pathological. Remember that timely diagnosis and treatment will relieve inflammatory pain and muscle spasms.

Temperature with sciatica

The temperature with sciatica is another common symptom of the disease. The temperature appears against the background of muscle pain, spasms and general weakness. Pain in sciatic nerve inflammation is often localized on one side, so at a temperature causes tingling and even redness of the diseased part of the body.

Many patients with the appearance of temperature and ambiguous symptoms of sciatica start self-medication and try to bring down the temperature. But this does not eliminate the cause of this symptom. Therefore, when temperature and symptomatic sciatica appear, seek medical attention. The doctor will prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that will effectively relieve temperature and help in the treatment of inflammation.

Forms

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy is due to the fact that the uterus gradually increases and begins to press on the internal organs. The uterus can also press on the sciatic nerve, which passes in the zone of the waist. If this happens, the pregnant woman feels a pain in her back and legs.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby actively turns over and this can lead to a pinch of the sciatic nerve and cause severe pain. It is from the movements of the baby that the character of pain depends. That is, the pain can be constant and aggravated, or temporarily make itself felt. In many women, the symptoms of sciatica persist and within 2-3 months after childbirth.

The most unpleasant thing is that during sciatica inflammation during pregnancy it is necessary to select the safest, but at the same time effective, treatment. So, from traditional therapeutic therapy with the use of painkillers must be abandoned. The treatment is carried out with the help of safe medical gymnastics and exercises. This allows you to restore muscle tone and remove the symptoms of sciatica.

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Diagnostics of the sciatica

Sciatica is very difficult to diagnose. Since the inflammatory process can manifest itself with 2-3 seizures throughout the year. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is called radiculitis of the lumbosacral region and affects the lumbosacral section.

Diagnosis of sciatica nerve inflammation begins with the study of the symptoms of the disease. Very often the symptoms of sciatica are confused with other diseases that have a similar symptomatology. Diagnostics begins with a clinical-neurological examination and the use of instrumental-instrumental methods of investigation.

Clinical neurologic examination is the determination of the level of sensitivity of the disease. For this, the patient is offered to perform a couple of simple exercises. So, if you raise your foot from the horizontal position, you will feel pain in the lumbosacral spine. If the leg is dropped, the pain subsides (such a diagnosis is called the Lasega test). In addition to exercises, the doctor has a number of similar diagnostic tests that can accurately determine the disease. It is necessary not only to diagnose the disease, but also to determine the causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Since effective treatment is possible only if the cause of the lesion of the sciatic nerve is determined.

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Treatment of the sciatica

Help with sciatica

Aiding in the recovery of the sciatic nerve is a set of methods that are used to relieve the symptoms of the disease. To alleviate the symptoms of the disease and eliminate pain without certain knowledge and skills is very difficult. But there are several options for care that can be used as a first-line treatment for sciatica. Let's look at the emergency help for sciatica.

• The patient should be placed on the stomach on a firm, level surface, and put a cushion or a small pillow under the breast. Cover the top with a warm blanket, but so that it does not exert pressure on the back and is not confused between the legs.
• It is strictly forbidden to apply warmers, compresses and anything that can provoke swelling of the inflamed area to the loin, legs or buttocks.
• Immediately call an ambulance or seek medical advice from a neurologist. The doctor will prescribe medications that will remove painful symptoms and allow you to go to the hospital to diagnose the disease and determine the causes of its appearance.

Independently take medication, do massage and other "medical procedures" is prohibited. Since this can aggravate the patient's condition, cause an allergic reaction, lead to a skin burn (when using alcohol warming compresses) or swelling of the affected area. How to relieve sciatica?

How to relieve sciatica is an extremely topical issue that interests all people who have experienced this disease. We offer you the main recommendations that will help to eliminate the inflammatory process.

• At the first symptoms of pain in the back, leg or buttock, it is necessary to limit physical activity and not to make sudden movements, as this can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. But the observance of these recommendations gives a chance that the inflammation will subside.
• If, after following the above instructions, the pain does not go away, you should seek medical help. Since it is possible that the inflammatory process is caused by pinching the intervertebral discs, and to cure the pinch, that is, to put the discs in place, only a doctor can.
• It is strictly forbidden to do massage and apply hot compresses and warming ointments without the permission of the doctor. Similar procedures will lead to the fact that the inflamed nerve will swell and the pain will become acute.

The only correct solution for inflammation of the sciatic nerve is to ensure complete rest and seek medical help.

Treatment of sciatica is prescribed by a neurologist and only after a complete diagnosis of the disease and the study of symptoms. There are many options for treatment and often they contradict each other. The main rule of treatment - the observance of complete rest, that is, the refusal of physical exertion. This will reduce irritation and inflammation of the nerve root. Another rule of treatment is a complete rejection of compresses and warming procedures, as this can lead to edema and only exacerbate the disease.

High efficiency is shown by such methods of treatment as vacuum therapy, manual therapy and reflex methods (acupuncture). But conservative methods are not always effective, and in this case resort to medical and surgical treatment. Let's look at the basic algorithm for treating sciatica.

• Observance of the regime - restriction of physical activity and physical activity.
• Conservative treatment and physiotherapy - manual therapy, massages, acupuncture.
• Healing physical training - allows you to restore the work of damaged nerves and speeds up the recovery process.
• Drug treatment - the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, the use of ointments and gels, which relieve pain.
• Operative methods of treatment - are used with ineffectual treatment by the methods described above. It is used for pathological abnormalities of the pelvic organs.

Medication

Medical treatment of sciatica nerve inflammation involves taking medications that will remove painful symptoms and help treat the inflammatory process. The most popular drug treatment is the use of antidepressants. Such drugs help to relax (it is important for people suffering from insomnia). Strong antidepressants help to remove the painful symptom. But these drugs are used as an additional therapy.

With the medical treatment of sciatica, such drugs as Orthofen, Ibuprofen, and Diclofenac are taken - they relieve pain and improve the healing process. It is necessary to treat sciatica in a complex way. So, drug therapy for a while will remove the symptoms, but soon the pain will return and become even stronger. Complex treatment involves medication and curative gymnastics aimed at restoring motor activity.

Medications

Drugs in the recovery of the sciatic nerve appoint a doctor, based on the symptoms of the disease, the results of diagnosis and the course of the disease. Let's look at the most popular non-steroid drugs that have anti-inflammatory effects.

• They are released without a prescription - Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Aspirin, Naproksen, Advil, Orudis and others.
• They are released only on prescription - Motrin, Volteren, Seraktil, Anaprox and others.

Taking these drugs effectively removes inflammation. Take them is recommended before meals or after, as the reception during meals slows the action of the active substances that make up the drugs. Note that regular intake of anti-inflammatory drugs increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, taking drugs for a long time is not recommended.

Other drugs that are used in the treatment of sciatica described above are blockers or inhibitors. The drugs protect the body from the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and improve the effectiveness of their action, including "Prilosek", "Lansoprazole", "Nexium". Taking medicines without prescribing a doctor is not recommended, as this can cause irreversible side effects.

Painkillers

Painkillers with sciatica nerve inflammation contribute to improving the patient's well-being and effectively relieve pain syndrome. Let's look at the main types of painkillers that are used for inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Opioid analgesics are chemical drugs that cause numbness to pain and stupor. Drugs are classified as narcotic, and their use is prohibited without medical authorization. The most common painkillers are Morphine, Percadon, Vicodin, Codeine, and others. These drugs are effective, but short-term relieve pain syndrome. There are anesthetic patches, which are used in the treatment of sciatica. The skin patch contains opioids, but in small quantities.

The main side effects of the drugs described above are nausea, vomiting, paranoia, anxiety, restlessness and others. In addition, taking medications can be addictive, so they are not recommended for a long time.

Treatment with injections

Treatment with pricks of sciatica nerve inflammation is an effective way to ease pain and cure the disease. It is considered that treatment with injections is an extreme but effective measure that helps with a sharp exacerbation of the disease. The injections with sciatica nerve inflammation are made as close as possible to the lesion using the method of lumbar puncture. This method locally affects the inflamed nerve, which increases the effectiveness of treatment.

For injections, use steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are prescribed by a doctor. Treatment with injections reduces the adverse reactions of drugs and shows good results. Dosage and the number of injections are prescribed by the doctor after the diagnosis and study of the symptoms of the disease.

Blockade

Blockade with sciatica nerve inflammation is a form of drug treatment. The blockade is done to reduce the pain symptom, improve the treatment. The basis of the blockade is a temporary break in the sensitivity of the nerves and a change in the functioning of other nerve endings. The blockade is done with the use of anesthetics. The second name of the blockade is the analgesic block, most often blockades from novocaine.

Blockade of the sciatic nerve is a kind of extinguishing pain that arises from the sensitivity of nerve endings. Blockade does not have complications on the body and is an intramuscular injection. The advantages of blockade are obvious - the effectiveness of treatment, availability and affordable cost.

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Ointments

Ointments with sciatica nerve inflammation are effective agents that relieve pain and have a beneficial effect on the inflammatory process. The most popular and safe ointment for rubbing - "Finalgon". When applied to the skin, it has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Treatment with ointments is combined with other therapeutic measures (gymnastics, drug therapy, injections). Ointment Viprosal is a medicine based on bee venom. Ointment perfectly warms the affected area, relieves pain and fights inflammation.

It is not recommended to use ointments for medicinal purposes alone. Since the ointment can cause an allergic reaction - skin dermatitis, rash, swelling. The drug is prescribed by a doctor and gives recommendations for dosage and proper use.

Alternative means

Alternative means for sciatica nerve inflammation are therapeutic methods of alternative medicine that allow you to eliminate pain quickly and effectively. But the main advantage of an alternative method of treatment is that all medicines are used as therapeutic drugs. Let's look at several therapies by alternative means.

• Therapeutic compress of flour - take the rye flour and knead the dough. Put a cake of dough on the affected area, and wrap it with polyethylene and a warm blanket for a couple of hours.
• Therapeutic bath - helps from an attack of sciatica nerve inflammation. In a bath with warm water, you need to lower the gauze with finely grated horseradish. Water procedures should be performed within 14-20 days for an effective result.
• Treatment with paraffin (wax candles) - melted wax a thin layer applied to the affected area. For one procedure it is necessary to apply at least 30 layers of wax. Treatment is carried out with a break after every three procedures.

Alternative means of treatment of sciatica nerve inflammation are effective only if the disease is at an early stage and has no acute manifestations. Such methods of treatment are recommended to be used in conjunction with drug treatment and physiotherapy.

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Massage

Massage with sciatica is a way to relax the muscles and relieve pain. Massage begins with the massing of the lumbosacral region of the back, that is, the knee joints, buttocks and thighs. When massage the patient should be in a horizontal position, preferably on a hard surface. Let's look at the stages of the massage for the treatment of sciatica. 

• Buttocks, lower back, coccyx - gently massaged and stroked, in order to warm up the muscles. When massage of this area is recommended to use therapeutic ointments and gels.
• The posterior surface of the thigh and lower leg are massaged with rubbing and stroking movements. It is very important not to apply pressure to muscle tissue, so as not to cause a painful attack.
• The massage ends by massaging the pain points of the sciatic nerve. Mass the zone of the lower edge of the sacrum, the area between the coccyx and the ilium, the subannual fossa and thighs.

Massage effectively helps in the treatment of sciatica nerve at any stage of development. But massage is not a panacea, so it is used as an additional therapy.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics with sciatica is a set of exercises that can reduce the intensity of pain and improve the condition of the patient with sciatica.

Advantages of gymnastics with sciatica is that it enhances the flow of blood to the sore spot, and acts as a natural safe analgesic. Let's look at the basic gymnastic procedures for treating sciatica. 

• Position - lying - lying on your back, pull your knees to your chest and grab your buttocks with your hands. Try to stay in this position for at least 30-40 seconds. Exercise should be done in ten campaigns.
• Position - sitting - sit on the floor and stretch your legs, raise your arms to the level of your shoulders and spread them apart. Hands must be wound back and try to keep the shoulder blades. Gymnastics are done slowly in five to six approaches.
• Standing - standing - feet shoulder width apart, left hand reaching for the right leg, right arm to the left leg, alternately. During exercise, it is necessary to bend well and try to touch the floor. This gymnastic exercise improves the flow of blood to the muscles of the hands, abdomen and legs.

Exercises are recommended to be carried out under the supervision of a physiotherapist, since during an exercise session there may be an acute attack of pain and emergency medical care will be required. Gymnastics has a positive effect on the entire body and should be of a regular nature.

Exercises

Exercises for inflammation of the sciatic nerve are part of the therapeutic complex of gymnastics. Exercises are designed to relax the muscles and relieve pain. Regular execution of exercises stimulates blood flow to the sore spot and speeds up the treatment of sciatica. We offer you the most popular exercises.

• Lie down on the floor and pull your knees bent at the knees to your chest. Keep the body straight, and lower your knees one by one in the left and right side. Note that the knees should be brought together.
• Position - lying on the stomach, arms bent at the elbows, palms rest against the floor. Try to keep the bar, maximally stretching your back.
• Lie on your back and bend your knees. Press your back against the floor and strain your back muscles. Alternately, strain and relax the muscles. Such an exercise will effectively relieve acute pain and relax the muscles of the back.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a very unpleasant disease that affects the lumbosacral region. Treatment takes a lot of time and effort, so the disease is easier to prevent. As a preventive measure, we recommend to follow the posture, regularly do warm-up and morning exercises, sleep only on a hard bed and avoid soft furniture, do not wear or lift weights. At the first symptoms of the disease it is better to seek medical help and conduct preventive procedures.

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