Anyone who has had a herniated disc is fully aware of the severe discomfort and how much it may disrupt your normal activities. The bones in your spine are cushioned by round discs that serve as shock absorbers. A herniated disc occurs when a piece of the disc bulges out and into the spinal canal. There are several treatments for herniated discs like discectomy and fusion Atlanta.

Even little motions might be painful when you have a herniated disc. While preventing a herniated disc is not always feasible, several things raise your risk.

 Here are factors that influence your risk of having a herniated disc;

 

  1.     Smoking

You may be surprised that smoking is harmful to more than just your lungs. Smoking and nicotine use can cause degenerative disc disease, which weakens the discs and causes them to stop cushioning the bones. As a result, you can encounter arthritic changes that result in herniated discs due to the bones rubbing against one another and poor alignment of the bones.

  1.     Injury

Your spine may get hurt. The discs might migrate due to any motion that causes rapid back and forth shifting of your spine. Car accidents, sports-related injuries, or improperly lifting things are examples of fast, jerking movements that might put too much strain on your spine.

  1.     Overweight

Obesity is detrimental to your general health. Your musculoskeletal system is put under more strain as you gain weight, putting more pressure on your spine and other tissues. The discs in your spine may swell due to additional stress, irritating the nerve roots and resulting in pain and tingling.

Maintaining a healthy weight can help relieve strain on the discs and other parts of your spine.

  1.     Growing old

While becoming older is inevitable, there are things you can do to control the process. As you age, maintaining good physical health and fitness helps maintain your musculoskeletal system’s strength. Your body receives the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs for its bones and supporting structures when you practice healthy eating habits.

A minimum of 150 minutes of exercise every week is necessary to keep your musculoskeletal system healthy. Your body will stay strong and healthy and experience minor wear and tear if you drink enough water and stay flexible.

  1. Previously herniated disc

You risk having another slipped disk if you have had one before. Ask your doctor what you can do to stop a disc herniation from occurring again. You can reduce the likelihood of a herniated disc repeatedly performing specific exercises, managing your weight, and avoiding other recognized risk factors.

  1.     Standing for long periods

Jobs where you spend a lot of time standing or twisting your back increase the wear and strain on your spine and increase your chance of a herniated disc. It helps to wear an adjustable back brace to support and strengthen your spine if your employment puts you at risk for back issues.

If you are suffering from a herniated disc, performing your daily activities can be challenging and affect your quality of life. The most frequent causes of herniated discs are wear and strain brought on by age, standing for long periods, overweight, and injury. Contact Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center to schedule your appointment for herniated disc treatment.