A herniated disc becomes an emergency when there are signs of nerve damage, such as neurologic deficits (numbness, tingling, weakness). Symptoms may include pain that radiates down the leg or arm, motor deficits, decreased sensation in the extremities, or weakness of the lower extremities.
If any of these signs are present, then it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Other signs and symptoms of a herniated disc can include dizziness, vertigo, slurred speech, and incontinence.
If the disc is pressing on the spinal cord rather than a nerve root, there may be signs of spinal cord compression, such as pain that worsens with coughing or straining and bladder and/or bowel dysfunction.
In this case, there may also be loss of feeling or movement in the legs or arms and loss of reflexes. If any of these signs are present, or if the pain is severe and is not adequately responding to home treatments, then it is important to seek medical attention right away.
How do you know if a herniated disc is serious?
When diagnosing and determining the seriousness of a herniated disc, it is important to consider the location and severity of the injury as well as any associated symptoms. Herniated discs in the lower back, or lumbar spine, are typically more serious than those in the cervical spine or neck.
Symptoms associated with a herniated disc can include localized soreness or tenderness, radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in areas supplied by the affected nerve. If the herniated disc is impacting the spinal cord, more severe symptoms such as paralysis or loss of bladder or bowel control may occur.
Depending on the extent of the affected nerve root, surgical options may need to be considered to reduce the risks of long-term disability or permanent nerve damage. If the herniated disc is causing any of the symptoms listed, it is important to consult with a physician and seek further evaluation to determine the severity of the disc, initiate treatment, and protect your overall wellbeing.
When should I be worried about a herniated disc?
If you are dealing with chronic and persistent back or neck pain, you should be worried about a herniated disc, even if you have not been diagnosed with one yet. If your typical treatments (such as physical therapy, medications, rest, and lifestyle changes) are not working, you should consult with a doctor.
Symptoms of a herniated disc include sharp or burning pain in the back or neck, and weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs. Depending on where the herniated disc is located, you may also have pain or numbness in other areas of the body, such as a shoulder, hip or lower back.
If you have these symptoms and your typical treatments are not helping, it is important to consult a medical professional to diagnose and treat the problem.
Can a herniated disc turn into something worse?
Yes, a herniated disc can turn into something worse. This is because herniated discs are caused by wear and tear over time, which can lead to further damage if not properly treated. Untreated herniated discs can lead to a variety of more serious conditions including sciatica, back pain, and even paralysis.
Furthermore, if the herniated disc is not treated quickly, it can lead to more permanent damage, including nerve root damage.
Therefore, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you may have a herniated disc. Your doctor may recommend medication, physical therapy, and even surgery if the herniated disc is severe enough.
If left untreated, a herniated disc can worsen over time and result in further pain and damage.
What are the red flags for herniated disc?
The red flags for a herniated disc, which is a condition where the intervertebral disc between the vertebrae of the spine bulge out or rupture, include:
– Pain radiating from the lower back or neck: Pain from a herniated disc typically radiates outward, such as down into the legs, arms or shoulders, from the location of the herniation.
– Numbness or tingling in the body: A herniated disc may cause a pins-and-needles sensation or numbness in areas of the body served by the affected nerve.
– Loss of Strength: Weakness in the affected area of the body is another common symptom of a herniated disc.
– Pain worsened by jumping, coughing, sneezing, or sitting: If your herniated disc causes significant pain, then it also likely to worsen during activities such as jumping, coughing, sneezing, and sitting.
– Muscle spasms: Muscle spasms in your back can occur with a herniated disc.
– Balance problems: If a herniated disc affects the nerve root that serves a particular area, it can cause balance issues.
It is important to keep in mind that these red flags can be indicative of other medical issues, as well. If you are having any of these symptoms, it is best to consult your physician as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment.
How long can a herniated disc flare up last?
A herniated disc flare up can last anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the severity of the herniation and the individual. In most cases, the symptoms of a herniated disc will start to lessen after a few days and will completely go away within a few weeks, although in some individuals, the symptoms may persist for weeks to months as the disc heals.
Treatment for a herniated disc flare up may involve a combination of physical therapy, rest, medications, and other treatments, depending on the severity of the herniation. In some cases, the symptoms from a herniated disc flare up may be permanent if surgery is required to repair the herniation.
Can a herniated disc be life threatening?
A herniated disc can be very painful and limiting, however, in general it is not life threatening. If a herniated disc is not treated and severe nerve damage occurs, it can become life threatening. Symptoms of a herniated disc include lower back pain, leg weakness and even loss of bowel or bladder control.
If left untreated, a herniated disc can cause permanent nerve damage, which can be life threatening if the nerve damage extends to the vital organs such as the heart and lungs. In rare cases, untreated herniated discs can be fatal.
It is important to receive immediate medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. Treatment will vary depending on the severity- it can include self care strategies such as rest and physical therapy, medications, or even surgery.
What are the 5 D’s red flags?
The 5 D’s of red flags are regarded as the signals of financial crime and can be used to identify and report potentially fraudulent activity. These 5 D’s are:
1. Document: Raises a red flag when documents do not appear in order, tax returns not filed on time or any other suspicious activity.
2. Deals: If there is an unusually high number of free items, discounted services or other forms of preferential treatment being given to certain individuals, this can be a red flag.
3. Distance: When an individual or company is operating outside of its normal area of expertise or conducting business on behalf of foreign interests could be a sign that a criminal activity is present.
4. Discounting: When exceptional payment terms or discounts are being offered to unusual individuals or groups it may mean that a criminal is attempting to launder money or otherwise hide proceeds of criminal activity.
5. Disputes: If there are a significant number of customer or employee disputes, particularly over pricing or services, this can be a red flag for fraudulent activity.
Are you ever the same after a herniated disc?
No, you are not the same after a herniated disc. The herniated disc can cause extreme discomfort and affect your mobility and day-to-day activities. Depending on what type of herniated disc you have, surgery may be an option.
While surgery and rehabilitative therapies can help to restore muscle strength and improve function, the disc will never be “the same” as it was before injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may experience decreased range of motion, weakened muscle strength, nerve damage and chronic pain.
Additionally, the herniated disc may lead to an increased risk for future injuries and other complications. To help manage and reduce the risk of future recurrent injuries, it is important to focus on lifestyle changes, including following an exercise program that focuses on strengthening the core muscles, engaging in activities that focus on proper body mechanics and avoid activities that may exacerbate the herniated disc.
What are the chances of becoming paralyzed from a herniated disc?
The chances of becoming paralyzed from a herniated disc depend on the severity of the herniation and the extent of the damage it causes to the nerves within the spinal cord. Generally, the greater the herniation, the more likely paralysis may occur.
The most serious cases of herniated discs affect the thoracic or lumbar regions, both of which contain nerves that run down into the legs, causing paralysis of the legs if pressure is added and the nerve root is pinched.
However, this is a rare outcome.
In some cases, the herniated disc can cause permanent nerve damage, leading to chronic pain, nerve impingement and/or discontinuity of nerve conduction. These symptoms can lead to muscle weakness, decreased sensation, and changes in mobility and posture.
In more severe cases, paralysis of the arms or legs can occur.
Most cases of herniated discs result in only temporary symptoms that can be managed with conservative treatments, including medications, rest, physical therapy and reducing activity levels. Surgery may be considered in more severe cases where the herniated disc is causing compression on the nerve roots or spinal cord.
The chances of becoming paralyzed from a herniation are significantly lower when conservative treatments are used and surgery is avoided.
Can you be hospitalized for herniated disc?
Yes, it is possible to be hospitalized for a herniated disc. Depending on the severity of the herniation, patients may require medical care that is best provided in the hospital. Most herniated discs do not require hospitalization, but if there is severe pain, numbness, weakness, or bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction symptoms, it may be necessary for the patient to receive inpatient care.
A hospital stay may also be necessary to diagnose the herniation and to determine the proper course of treatment. In the hospital, the patient may undergo physical therapy, modalities, medications, injections, and even surgery, if the herniation is severe enough.
If the patient is hospitalized, the length of stay will depend on the severity of the herniation and the medical necessity of their care.
Can a herniated disc require emergency surgery?
A herniated disc may require emergency surgery in rare cases. This is usually only recommended if the herniation is causing severe pain, neurologic deficits, or severe disability. If the disc herniation has compressed a major nerve root or the spinal cord, emergency care may be needed in order to relieve the pressure on the nerve and reduce the risk of permanent damage.
To determine whether or not surgery is necessary, a doctor will first perform imaging tests and a physical exam, and will likely recommend conservative treatments like pain medications and physical therapy before considering surgery.
If the herniated disc is causing a significant amount of pain or disability, the doctor may then recommend emergency surgery and may even perform a procedure known as an emergency discectomy in order to quickly relieve pressure and possibly prevent further damage.
Whats the longest a herniated disc can last?
The exact amount of time a herniated disc can last varies significantly from person to person depending on the severity of the herniation. For patients with minor herniation, the pain can often subside without treatment within a few weeks or months.
For those with more severe pain, physical therapy, medications, injection therapy such as epidural steroid injections, or surgery may be required and the healing time will be longer. Typically a herniated disc can last anywhere from several weeks to many years.
In some cases, the symptoms of a herniated disc may persist for months to years, and in a small percentage of cases, the symptoms may be permanent. Managing a herniated disc requires proper assessment and aggressive treatment, including lifestyle changes, activity modification and physical therapy.