Sign-up for one of the 22 topics by submitting your chosen topic in the Discussion 5 Topic Sign-up discussion board. Only one person per issue is allowed, so choose yours soon to get the best diversity of topics. Research this disease and tell us about certain aspects of the disease. Make sure to include:
My Topic is Sciatica
Name
Etiology
Epidemiology
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatments
Prognosis
Each section of your post should contain these headings. Include at least two pictures in your post (i.e.an unusual sign and/or symptom, a chart, a graph, a diagnostic tool). Use the Insert/Edit Image icon; do not include your picture as an attached file.
Some of these diseases affect other organ systems as well; please mention these systems but mostly focus on their effects on the nervous system since that is this module\’s topic.
Warning: Do not copy and paste from online sources. Create original descriptions using words from your A&P vocabulary that you have learned this semester. Cite your sources at the end of your post.
When you have written your post and before you post to this discussion board, you will then need to follow the instructions in the Discussion 5 – TurnItIn link for submittal to TurnItIn.com so that your post can be checked for originality. Failure to do so will result in no credit for this discussion.
There is a 500 word count minimum for your original post and a 200-word count minimum for each response.
Discussion 5: Imbalances in the Nervous System
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Instructor’s Name
Date
Discussion 5: Imbalances in the Nervous System
Introduction
Sciatica causes a feeling of discomfort to patients. Sciatica is referred to the pain that originates from the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body (Bernstein et al., 2017). This nerve runs from the lower back of a human being, through the buttocks to the legs. This paper discusses sciatica in detail.
Etiology
Sciatica is commonly caused by herniated intervertebral disk. The disks are made of cartilage; strong and resilient material. Intervertebral disc herniation occurs when the disk is pushed out of space, hence, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve (Konstantinou et al., 2018). Other causes include lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, tumors within the spine, infections, and others. Another cause is the cauda equina syndrome, which is a condition affecting nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord.
Epidemiology
More than 4.1 million Americans suffer from the symptoms of sciatica. The renascence of this disease has long been in existence. For example, between 198 and 1988, the US recorded an annual prevalence of about 2% in men and 1.5 in women. Currently, about 42% of men suffer from sciatica (Bernstein et al., 2017). About 60% of men aged 45 years and older have sciatica. The lifetime prevalence of sciatica has risen due to lumbar intervertebral disk herniations. It leads to surgery more often than back pain alone.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptom of sciatica is the pain that originates anywhere along the sciatic nerve, usually from the lower back through the buttocks and down the legs. The pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain (Jensen et al., 2019). Other symptoms include numbness in the leg along the nerve and tingling sensation in the feet and toes.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves both physical examination and imaging tests. During the physical examination, the doctor may check muscle strength and flexes. For instance, the patient may be asked to walk on toes or heels, rise from a squatting position, and others (Jensen et al., 2019). Patients may lie on their back or lift their legs. Pain that results from sciatica will usually worsen during these activities. Imaging tests for diagnosis include x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and Electromyography (EMG).
Treatments
There are several treatment options for sciatica, such as medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgery. Some of the drugs that can be prescribed for sciatica include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications (Konstantinou et al., 2018). Once the acute pains improve, a physiotherapist can develop a rehabilitation program, such as exercise to strengthen muscles, to correct exposure. Injecting corticosteroid medication into the area around the nerve can be helpful. This medication can help reduce pain (Konstantinou et al., 2018). Surgery is usually the last option, performed only when the nerve causes major weakness, loss of bladder control, or bowel, or progressively worsening pain.
Prognosis
The fortunate thing about sciatica is that the pain, many times, goes away on its own with time alongside some self-care treatments. According to Konstantinou et al. (2018), some of the prognostic factors associated with proper recovery and reduced chances of disability include shorter pain duration, lower leg pain intensity, and the patient’s belief that the problem is short lived. Early and proper treatment is associated with high survival rates (Konstantinou et al., 2018). Most people (80% to 90%) with sciatica get better without surgery. Half of the people with the disease recover fully within six weeks.
Conclusion
Sciatica is referred to as pain due to damages caused to the sciatic nerve. It is commonly caused by herniated intervertebral disk. About 60% of men aged 45 years and older have sciatica. Symptoms of the disease can be very humiliating. There are several treatment options for sciatica. This paper provided a detailed discussion of sciatica.
References
Bernstein, I. A., Malik, Q., Carville, S., & Ward, S. (2017). Low back pain and sciatica: summary of NICE guidance. Bmj, 356. i: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i6748
Jensen, R. K., Kongsted, A., Kjaer, P., & Koes, B. (2019). Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. bmj, 367. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6273
Konstantinou, K., Dunn, K. M., Ogollah, R., Lewis, M., van der Windt, D., Hay, E. M., & ATLAS Study Team. (2018). Prognosis of sciatica and back-related leg pain in primary care: the ATLAS cohort. The Spine Journal, 18(6), 1030-1040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2017.10.071