Rising Cases of Slip Disc and Sciatica in Young Adults: What's Driving the Trend?

From onlymyhealth.com 

In the past, slip disc and sciatica were mostly seen in older people, but with time, more and more young adults in their 20s and 30s are suffering from these health issues. Back pain, leg pain and nerve problems have become quite common among youngsters as well. There is a sharp rise in these cases mainly due to unhealthy lifestyle habits and the long sitting hours without almost no physical activity.

What is Slip Disc and Sciatica

According to Informed Health Org, a German based scientific institute, many people have back pain that keeps on returning. Usually it is hard to say what the exact cause is. But pain that shoots down your leg can be a sign of a slipped disc. Slip disc in the lower back region is the major cause of sciatica.

The sciatic nerve is considered to be the longest nerve running from the lower back to the legs. If the sciatic nerve experiences dysfunction, it causes mild to severe shooting pain in the body.

Dr Shobhit Bhardwaj shares, “A slip disc (Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc or PIVD) happens when the soft cushion between the bones of the spine moves out of its place and presses on nearby nerves. When this pressure affects the sciatic nerve, it causes sciatica which leads to sharp pain tingling or numbness down the leg.”

What is causing Slip Disc and Sciatica in Young adults?

During discussion, Dr Bhardwaj mentioned that the main reason behind this trend is the modern lifestyle. Here are a few causes he shared:

Long Sitting Hours and Poor Posture

Most people now spend long hours sitting in front of computers working on laptops or using mobile phones. Poor posture, lack of movement and weak back muscles make the spine more likely to get injured. Sitting for long periods without breaks puts extra pressure on the lower back.

Wrong Exercise Habits

Some young people do not exercise at all while others suddenly start lifting heavy weights or doing high intensity workouts without proper guidance. Doing exercises with the wrong posture or without strengthening the core muscles can easily lead to back injuries.

Being Overweight And Stress

Extra body weight puts more pressure on the spine and stress causes tightness in the back muscles making the condition worse.

Other Common Reasons

Long driving hours, poor sleeping positions and dehydration are also common triggers that harm spinal health.

Prevention Tips

Dr Bhardwaj shared that most of the above problems can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes:

• Being physically active in daily life can cure most of the back problems. Regular stretching, yoga, daily walk, and light exercises help keep the spine flexible and strong.
• Maintaining correct posture while sitting, taking short breaks every hour and setting up an ergonomic workspace are very helpful.
• If you already feel pain, numbness or tingling in your back or legs it is important to see a doctor early.

Bottom line

The rise in slip disc and sciatica among young people is a warning sign. It reminds us that our spine needs daily care. A healthy back depends on simple habits such as sitting right, staying active and keeping our posture straight. With timely treatment, physiotherapy, and posture correction most cases can be cured without surgery.

FAQ

• Can a slipped disc cause sciatica?

  Yes, slipped discs in the lower back area of the spine are the main cause of sciatica.

• How do you treat a slipped disc in the sciatic nerve?

  A slipped disc can be treated with physical therapy, activity modification, and in severe cases, with injections or surgery.

• Is it Ok to walk with a slipped disc?

  Yes, it is safe to walk with a slipped disc. In many cases, doctors often suggest taking slow and long walks.
• https://www.onlymyhealth.com/slip-disc-and-sciatica-rising-cases-in-young-adults-why-the-trend-doctor-explains-12977840658
  

How To Manage Your Sciatic Pain

From cuh.nhs.uk

This leaflet is for patients with sciatica, which is the commonly used term to describe pain in your leg(s). It is often caused by a disc protrusion irritating or compressing a nerve root, although this is not always the case.

How to manage your sciatic pain

The good news is that 90% of people with sciatica will be better within three months. The most important thing you can do to help manage your sciatic pain is to stop the nerve being irritated, thereby allowing your body to heal itself. You will know when the nerve is not being irritated as you will not feel your leg pain. You need to be guided by your symptoms.

The main things you can address to help your symptoms are:

1. Maintain good posture.
2. Pace your activities.
3. Use medication.
4. Use ice or heat packs.
5. Sleep well.
6. Look after your general health and wellbeing.
7. Seek medical advice.
8. 
   

As unpleasant as sciatica is, it is not a medical emergency. However, you should seek urgent medical advice should you experience any of the following:

• altered sensation around your genital area
• difficulty passing or controlling urine
• numbness, pins and needles or weakness in both legs
• unsteadiness on your feet

1. Maintain good posture

It is important to minimise the pressure on your lumbar spine which will decrease the amount your nerve is irritated. To do this maintain your natural lumbar curve, by sitting up tall, and avoid slouching as this puts 10 times more pressure through your back than lying. Often when your sciatica is severe you will find reaching forward, bending and sitting painful, and are better standing or lying.

2. Pace your activities

Changing what you are doing, and your position, will mean that your symptoms are not aggravated as much. Whilst your symptoms may feel better lying down it is important to get up and move regularly as this will:

• allow you to heal more quickly
• prevents you from stiffening up
• prevents your muscles wasting.

We generally recommend no more than three days in bed.

You may need time off work if you are unable to do any activity for more than a few minutes in the early stages of severe sciatica. If you find yourself in this situation we recommend that you discuss this with your GP and/or therapist. It is important to try and return to normal activities as quickly as possible. You may need to consider a fit for work certificate, which indicates what you can do, and also a phased return to work.

3. Use medication

The use of medication needs to be discussed with your GP and/or pharmacist. Sciatica literally means your sciatic nerve is inflamed. As a result if you are able to take anti-inflammatory medications such as Naproxen or Diclofenac these may be helpful. However, these can cause heartburn or stomach problems; if you experience these, please consult your GP.

There are also other medications that were not invented as painkillers, but have been found to be very useful to treat nerve pain such as Amitriptyline and/or Gabapentin. Amitriptyline in particular seems to promote good sleep and is often prescribed to take at night-time to help with sleep disturbance.

If you are suffering with significant muscle spasm there are medications that can be prescribed for a few days to help. It is important that if you are prescribed medication, you take it if needed as it will keep you moving.

These medications do not mask your symptoms but treat them.

4. Use ice or heat packs

Whilst it would seem that ice packs would be helpful to treat inflammation, some people find that heat is more effective for them as this can relieve muscle spasm. If you use either, please ensure the sensation in your back is normal. Wrapping a damp towel around a bag of frozen peas works as well as an ice pack. A hot water bottle is also an effective heat pack. Alternatively you can buy both from pharmacies.

5. Sleep well

It is extremely important to sleep well as your body releases its growth hormone ‘repair factor’ (when your body heals itself) during sleep. Poor sleep has even been found to cause back pain. Sleep is often disturbed by pain, and therefore ensuring that all factors that can affect sleep are addressed is important (caffeine, noise, light, anxieties, mattress, pillows, temperature and so on). Sometimes it is necessary to take medication to help you sleep whilst you have sciatica and people often find that the nerve medication helps with this.

6. Look after your general health and wellbeing

Looking after your general health gives your body the best chance to heal itself. The fitter you are, the stronger your body is, and, with a better blood supply, your body can focus on healing your sciatica. If you are very stressed and/or depressed this will impair your body’s ability to heal itself.

7. Seek appropriate medical advice

If you are suffering with sciatica we recommend that you consult your GP for appropriate advice, where pain medication can be prescribed as necessary. Your GP may also feel that you would benefit from physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can advise you on how to manage your condition, recommend exercises and use manual therapy techniques to help speed up your recovery.

If your symptoms fail to improve with medication, advice and physiotherapy, it may be appropriate to see a specialist for a further opinion. Your physiotherapist can advise you about this. You might benefit from an epidural which is a steroid injection into the space next to where your nerves are irritated. Occasionally, when there is an identifiable cause to your symptoms which have not responded to other treatments surgery might be required.

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/sciatica/ 

Sciatica is rising among young professionals due to desk jobs

From health.medicaldialogues.in 

For years, sciatica was seen as a condition affecting older adults, linked to age-related spinal degeneration. Sciatica happens when irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression affects one or more nerves that run down the lower back and into the legs. Once considered a problem of the elderly, nowadays young professionals are facing this too, mainly due to long hours on laptops, poor posture, and sedentary lifestyles, causing these shooting pains. Pain that is often ignored as ‘just back pain’ is now affecting a generation that spends more time sitting than sleeping. Let us see what the reason is.

Why sciatica is growing among youngsters? In today’s work culture, marathon meetings and endless screen time have become a daily part of life. But sitting for too long, especially with poor posture, puts pressure on the lower spine and the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down to both of the legs. Over time, this lifestyle can cause irritation or firmness of the nerve. Additionally, the stress of tight deadlines, absence of physical activities, and comfortable work setups that are not so effective for maintaining nerve health are the most appropriate reasons for nerve trouble.

Especially, young and fit professionals are facing issues with weak core muscles and strains in the lower back, leading to sciatica. What are the signs to watch out for? If anyone ever felt a sharp, radiating pain down the leg after hours at the desk, their body may be warning you to take charge. 

● Continuous Pain in Lower Back and Leg: If sitting for long periods leads to pain and stiffness in your lower back, then this could be a sign of a serious problem. A dull pain shooting up more deeply from the lower back area to the thigh, calf, or even foot is also not healthy.

● Tingling or Numbness: Experiencing a "pins and needles" feeling, or if the foot or leg becomes partially numb, it could be due to the fact that the nerve is being irritated. 

● Weakness in One Leg: Facing difficulty in standing, walking, or lifting the foot properly can be due to a situation of nerve pressure, which needs to be treated. How can it be treated? Managing sciatica means relieving pressure on the nerve as well as improving body posture. Early intervention with physiotherapy and physical activities like walking or yoga can help to make the spine and core stronger.

How can it be treated? Managing sciatica means relieving pressure on the nerve as well as improving body posture. Early intervention with physiotherapy and physical activities like walking or yoga can help to make the spine and core stronger.

Applying hot or cold compresses helps to get rid of inflammation and pain-relieving drugs that can ease the intense discomfort and pain. Surgical procedures such as endoscopic discectomy/microdiscectomy, which is a minimally invasive surgery, are done to relieve nerves being compressed in extreme conditions. Most importantly, small daily habits like proper diet and rest can make a world of difference. Sciatica is no longer an old person’s problem and is becoming an occupational danger for the modern age youth. By listening to the body and prioritizing small movements, long-term nerve damage can be prevented. After all, no one should risk their health, as a fit body will eventually lead to better performance at work.

Dr Mukesh Haritwal is a leading spine surgeon and Head of the Department at Manipal Hospitals, with over 13 years of expertise in orthopaedics and spine surgery. Renowned for his proficiency in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine procedures, he has successfully performed more than 5,000 surgeries, treating a wide range of spinal conditions such as trauma, deformities, infections, degenerative disorders, tumours, and congenital abnormalities.

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