Your spine is made up of a chain of bones called vertebrae that run from your skull all the way to your tailbone. Round cushions, known as disks, sit between vertebrae. These disks work like shock absorbers, softening the impact between the bones and letting you move and bend more. However, as time passes, disks can wear out or tear, and the inner tissue can push out from this gap. This condition is what doctors refer to as a herniated disk. People also call a herniated disk by other names, such as:

• Slipped disk
• Bulging disk
• Ruptured disk
• Protruding disk

What are the symptoms of Herniated Disk? Signs and symptoms of a herniated disc generally depend on the location of the condition: Signs of a herniated disk in your lower back (herniated lumbar disk): A herniated disk in your lower back often causes pain in the “sciatic nerve” (sciatica). This sharp and shooting pain travels down one side of your buttock and reaches your leg (sometimes even your foot). A slipped disk in your lower back can also come with other symptoms, such as:

• Lower back pain
• Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet.
• Weakness in your muscles.

A bulging disk in the neck (herniated cervical disk) can show up with the following symptoms:

• Pain in the neck around the sides or back.
• Tingling or feeling numb in the arms.
• Discomfort close to or between the shoulder blades.
• Pain that moves down to the shoulder, arm, and even the hand or fingers at times.
• Pain that worsens when you bend or turn your neck.

What are the causes of Herniated Disks? Your spine's disks have a soft-like center with a tougher outer layer, similar to how a jelly doughnut is made. Over time, the outer part can wear down and tear. A herniated disk forms when the soft center pushes through this tear and presses onto your spinal cord. This leaked material can also push on nearby nerves in your spine, leading to herniated disk symptoms. Many things can lead to a disk rupture. Some common causes of herniated disks are:

• Getting older.
• Injuries from accidents or falls
• Bending or twisting your body.
• Lifting heavy objects the wrong way.

What Increases the Chance of a Slipped Fisk?

• Individuals between 30 and 50 have the highest chance of experiencing a herniated disk.
• Men face this problem twice as often as women.
• A family history of the herniated disc
• Smoking.
• Sitting in one position for long stretches.
• Being overweight or having obesity.
• Living with diabetes.
• Having a connective tissue disorder.

Diagnosis Physical exam: Your doctor will check your pain levels, reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength. They might test you with a straight leg raise. They might also do a neurological exam.

• Imaging tests:
• MRI scan.
• X-rays.
• CT scan.
• Myelogram.
• EMG.
• Nerve conduction test.

Treatment Non-surgical management:

• Most of the time, pain from a slipped disk lessens over time. To help reduce discomfort while your disc recovers, try these things:
• Rest for up to three days if the pain feels intense. Do not stay in bed too long, as it can lead to stiffness.
• Use an over-the-counter pain relief
• Put heat or ice on the sore area to ease discomfort.
• Physical therapy - exercises and stretches to ease nerve pressure
• Spinal injections - an epidural or nerve block delivers steroids straight to your spine to reduce pain and swelling.

Surgical treatment:

• Surgery options are:
• Microdiscectomy
• Diskectomy
• Laminotomy
• Laminectomy
• Artificial disk surgery
• Spinal fusion

How can I prevent a Herniated Disk? You may not always be able to prevent a bulging disk. However, you can take steps to lower your chances by:

• Using proper lifting techniques
• Keeping a healthy weight that suits you
• Work on improving your posture while sitting, standing, walking, or even sleeping
• Not wearing high-heeled shoes
• Do exercises and stretches that build up the strength in your back
• Quitting smoking.