What are risks for sciatica
Sciatica simply refers to the pain in the hip and the leg. Its a kind of pain that extends from the back of the hip down to the calf. This can be caused by a protrusion of vertebral disk substance that may press on the roots of the sciatic nerve. The ailment is also known as low back pain that comes with a pain that runs through the buttocks and down one leg. In most cases, the leg pain goes past the knee or farther down to the foot.
Sciatica does not just occur without a reason. There are several risks associated with the condition. Some people are at higher risk of the ailment than others. Oftentimes, lifestyles also have a lot to play in the occurrence of the disease.
Old age is said to be one of the risk factors of Sciatica. People who are middle aged are liable to have the ailment. This is because, when age is dawning of elderly people, their body and spine begin to weaken. Sciatica will then begin to showcase as a result of spinal disk changes and other age related changes that may be showing up.
The risk of Sciatica can also occur when the inter-vertebral disk begins to degenerate. This is usually seen in the lives of elderly people who have crossed the age of 50. Such people may also have spinal stenosis, bone spurs and other spine related changes in their bodies. Such changes can lead to Sciatica.
Individuals who spend a lot of time sitting down at one place are also at risk of having Sciatica. This is usually the case with office workers who have to sit down at one place for hours working on their computers. Drivers who sit all day cruising with their vehicles are also at a very high risk of having Sciatica. This is because sitting for a long time usually puts lots of pressure on the sciatic nerve. When the pressures occur, sciatica is bound to occur.
Again, individuals who are into the habit of lifting heavy objects are also at a very high risk of developing Sciatica. This is because frequent lifting of heavy loads twists the spine all the time. This can easily lead to sciatica as well. Individuals who engage in daily running or walking as part of their sports activities are also at a risk of developing sciatica. Such people do have repeated contraction of the hip muscle. When the hip muscle becomes very tight, it can easily irritate the sciatic nerve. This results to sciatica.
Pregnant women are also known to be at a high risk of having sciatica. This is mainly because of the hormonal changes that occur in their bodies. Again, the position of the baby in a mothers womb can also cause changes in the sciatic nerve. This can easily lead to sciatica.
People who are suffering from diabetes are also at a risk of having sciatica. This is because; they are always prone to suffering nerve damage. Their sciatic nerves are also affected in the process. If they keep on suffering the condition, they are likely to develop Sciatica all through their lives.
In all, the risk of developing sciatica is real as seen from the above. However, the good news is that one can always control the occurrence of the ailment by taking some vital steps. Its necessary you consult your doctor if the sciatica condition continues unabated. Its also very important you take certain precautions that will help you be free from the ailment as you go about carrying out your daily duties.