Our backbone is made up of units called vertebrae. These vertebrae are connected with the help of discs. When the gel in the disc center starts to wear off and reduce, it leads to the problem of disc bulging. Less gel causes the discs to get compressed, and they bulge out. Reduction in the amount of gel is a common phenomenon while aging. A disc bulge can also be caused due to spinal injury caused by accident like a car or motorcycle accident.
The treatment and healing process is quite simple. Sometimes most of the patients get their bulged discs healed comfortably with proper treatments and medications, that too without any complications. The symptoms usually get better within two to three months of the treatment.
A disc bulge can result due to many factors. The most common and widely seen causes are listed below:
Aging is the most common cause of a disc bulge: with the growing years, the gel in the disc starts to decrease, which causes more wear and tear of the discs, often resulting in bulging out.
A very impactful accident like a car crash, motorcycle crash, etc.
Impacted due to any kind of sports activities.
Calcium deficiency.
Improper diet and health.
Stress and tension
Exercising in the wrong postures.
Working in the wrong postures.
Arm and leg pains: if the disc bulge is in the lower region of the vertebral column then the pain is most likely faced in the buttocks region. The pain can go down to one or both legs. If the bulging is in the upper part of the vertebral column the pain can spread to the neck, shoulder and arm region. The pain can often become sharp while changing or shifting positions, coughing and sneezing.
Numbness and tingling sensation: while working or doing any activities the region may often feel numb and senseless. There might be a tingling sensation. The tingling sensation and numbness are experienced due to the affected nerves.
Weakness in the affected region: the muscles around the disc often become weak due to the affected nerves. It causes difficulty in lifting heavy weights, climbing stairs, indulging in heavy tasks and the person can stumble down.
Back and leg pain: due to the affected nerves in the region, there is no proper signaling. This creates pain in and around the affected areas. The pain can be felt in the buttock, legs, arm, neck and shoulder region depending on the position of the disc affected.
Herniation: a bulging disc is an early sign of spinal disc degeneration. Due to the continuous wear and tear of the gel in the disc, the gel might crack through the exterior portion of the disc causing it to herniate. It can cause damage to the nerve roots.
Permanent nerve damage: without any proper or delayed treatment the damaged nerve roots can cause permanent damage to the entire nerve. Which might lead to chronic back pain, numbness, tingly sensation, weakness and loss of sensation.
Apart from receiving or undergoing any treatment, here are some of the things that can be done at home to help the healing or curing process:
Building bone strength: eating healthy and nutritious will help to build bone strength and will make the healing process smoother.
One should take the prescribed painkillers if experiencing any sudden pain. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications).
Regular exercise: regular exercises help to keep the bone and muscle stronger, prevent any early deformities and help to heal faster from any impact.
Proper intake of medications prescribed by the doctor. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medicines)
Regular and scheduled visits to the doctor or physician.
Keeping a healthy and balanced weight: obesity can create stress and pressure in certain body parts like the spine, spine discs, legs, etc.
Practicing good posture: while working, eating, or sitting, an overall good posture should be maintained. The posture in which the spine is kept straight without putting any extra stress. The posture should feel comfortable to work with.
Stretching frequently: early morning or evening stretches are best to prevent many bone and muscle-related problems.
Going for walks: early morning or evening walks are good ways to increase blood circulation and keep the bones and muscles working.
Living a healthy lifestyle: eating healthy, working out regularly, no smoking, and drinking plenty of water.
The doctor might perform certain neurological tests to confirm the disorder, which include:
Imaging tests like X-Rays, CT scans, MRI, etc. can also be performed for confirmation.
Nerve examinations are performed to see the extent of nerve damage.
It is essential to provide the doctor with any previous history of chronic illness or disorders like high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, kidney problems, etc.
Over-the-counter medications are prescribed, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and naproxen sodium (Aleve). (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
If the pain doesn’t improve with oral medications, the doctors often give cortisone injections. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
For muscle spasms, muscle relaxers are prescribed. Dizziness and sedation are the common side effects. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
If the condition becomes severe, opioids are often given. As opioids are known for their strong side effects, it is often ignored by doctors. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
The treatment can include certain therapy sessions.
For a few people often surgery is required to get the disorder under control. Surgery is usually performed in cases when the numbness, weakness, pain, and inability to stand correctly don’t go away.
In most cases, the disc bulge is appropriately healed with the help of regular medications and therapies.
The bulged disc improves over the period with proper medications and treatment. It takes almost three to four months to get rid of the symptoms. The period of recovery depends from person to person and on many factors like the extent of herniation, location of the bulging, eating habits, and lifestyle. Some people often experience sudden pain during the recovery process. In most cases, the disc resolves to its normal state, on its own without any complications.
After the treatment, the person should immediately contact their doctor to avoid further complications if they have increased pain, swelling, discomfort, bruising, and any signs of infection.
Resolve360 is a promising online platform where one can receive treatment at the comfort of their own home.
Sick patients don’t need to worry about traveling long distances to get diagnosed.
The patients can save time and utilize that time to take care of themselves.
Live sessions are conducted so that the patients can have a face to face interaction with their assigned doctors.
Building trust is really important. So, we always try our best to provide the maximum support to the patients to make them feel comfortable.
We always schedule the timings of the meetings based on the patient’s preference. Rescheduling can also be done if there are any problems.
When a patient comes to our doctor, it becomes the responsibility of our doctor to give them a healthy life.
We guarantee that the doctors will never leave their patients.
The patients can openly talk about their problems, and we assure them that the information will be between them and the doctors.
Our doctors plan every step necessary for their patients, from planning exercises to drafting their diet charts.
The doctors on the platform are highly reliable and are certified professionals with experience.
It is a platform that provides solutions to every problem, starting with home remedies to prescribed medications.
The patient’s trust is our confidence!
There is free access to knowledge and consultation. For further details, don’t forget to contact us! We will take extreme pride in serving you! Happy recovery!
Disclaimer: The above-mentioned remedies and medicines; are over the counter medicines and are effective in most cases. It is advisable to contact your doctor before taking any medications.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelor’s from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelor’s from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
If you would like to know more about any of the health conditions, please fill up the form below and talk to Doctors on Resolve360 directly by asking a question.
We are your doctor’s first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
We are your doctor’s first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
We are your doctor’s first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
We are your doctor’s first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.