Ways to treat sciatica
Sciatica is a common problem that could develop in both men and women. This is a painful condition that results due to entrapment of the sciatic nerve which emerges from the lumber spine. The pain is felt at the buttock, and it radiates down until the end of the nerve. Sometimes the pain becomes severe and unbearable for the patients. A doctor after doing an examination and getting X-rays and MRI diagnoses the condition. There are several types of treatment options for Sciatica. Some of these treatment modalities are given below:
The traditional treatment of Sciatica is done by using painkillers like Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin and Ibuprofen are the two most common NSAIDs which are used in order to treat Sciatica. These drugs decrease the inflammation at the local site and reduce pain considerably. In addition, they decrease the recurrent pain that develops due to Sciatica.
Patients are advised to place hot and cold packs at the site of pain. The cold packs reduce the inflammation, while the hot packs increase the blood circulation to the affected site. Patients are also advised to use firm mattress during rest and sleep, especially when they develop excessive Sciatica pain. Usually, patients are advised to take bed rest for at least three days.
Another conventional method in order to control the Sciatica pain is to take the help of somebody else during coming out from the bed or while taking shower. This is necessary since by virtue of these tactics, the strain could not develop on the affected leg, and hence the pain would not increase in intensity.
Patients are strictly advised not to lift any heavy object during the course of illness. Rest is more important than medications. Therefore; those patients who use to take rest appropriately and don’t produce strain on the affected leg acquire more advantages and early recovery.
Steroid analgesics are also given to the patients having Sciatica, who don’t get the advantage from other conventional measures. Steroid injections are used at the site of pain in the leg which decreases the symptoms considerably.
Surgery is the final option in order to relive the pain due to Sciatica. However; surgical intervention is not done routinely. Only those patients undergo surgeries, who don’t get any advantage from conservative treatment.
Patients having Sciatica are directed to consume the food which is rich in fiber, vegetables and fruits. This is necessary in order to relieve constipation so that the straining, frequency at stool, would be decreased and hence the pain in the leg due to Sciatica would not be increased.
This article is provided for information purposes only. Please consult a doctor for treatment options. This article is not written by a doctor or checked for accuracy by a physician.
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