Herniated Disc Research Paper

Introduction
A herniated disc occurs when a vertebral cushioning disc displaces outside the confinement of the intervertebral disc gap. The goal of this paper is to inform the reader about this impairment, which is typically known as herniated disc displacement. A herniated disc most commonly presents itself in individuals aged thirty to fifty years old, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. This disease was chosen due to ***. This will include the etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, complications, and prognosis of this ailment. (***can fluff if needed)
Etiology
There are several causes for a herniated disc that can be explained by referring to spinal anatomy. The spine is made of a column of bones, called vertebrae, and in
In the center of this disc is a sponge-like material that absorbs the shock force from activities such as walking, running, or simply sitting. The problem begins when the sponge-like center extrudes from between the vertebrae and presses on nearby nerves, causing moderate to excruciating pain. A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, including the neck (cervical disc herniation), but normally presents itself in the lower back (lumbar disc herniation). This is a musculoskeletal disorder that also may be known as a ruptured disc, or slipped disc. In most herniated disc cases, the injury occurs due to aging. The spongey inside may deteriorate as one gets older through degeneration because as one ages, the discs lose small amounts of water. This in turn can make them brittle and prone to cracking under minor
Initially, the patient will need to rest for a short amount of time, about one to two days. Resting longer risks delayed recovery and sitting should be avoided due to increased pressure on the injury. Medicine may be given immediately, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants to prevent back spasms, narcotic pain medicine, steroid injections, physical therapy, and possibly surgery. Once the patient is able to lift again, it is imperative to lift with the knees, keep the back straight, and hold heavier items close to the body. If the patient is overweight, a weight loss regimen should be advised to prevent long term damage. A physical therapist can work with the patient by using stretching and strengthening exercises. The patient should not wear high-heeled shoes due to excess strain on back muscles, not sleep on their stomach, or smoke because smoking can cause vertebral degeneration. Medications can be used as well. Over-the-counter pain medications are used for mild pain, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Narcotics are used if the over-the-counter medications do not help; these include codeine or an oxycodone-acetaminophen combination like Percocet or oxycontin. Anticonvulsant drugs can be used to treat nerve pain despite normally being used to control seizures. Muscle relaxers may be necessary if the patient experiences muscle spasms. Cortisone injections may be given