Herniated Disk

A herniated disk is a condition that occurs when one of the disks in your spine (backbone) tears or leaks due to natural wear and tear or injury. This puts pressure on your spinal cord and irritates your spinal nerves, leading to pain, numbness and weakness.

You have a series of bones (vertebrae) in your spine, stretching from the base of your skull to your tailbone. Between your vertebrae are round cushions called disks. The disks act as buffers between your bones, allowing you to bend and move with ease. Over time, the disks become less effective and may become displaced. When this occurs, it’s called a herniated disk.

Other names for a herniated disk include:

Bulging disk.
Slipped disk.
Ruptured disk.
Protruding disk.

Every year, more than 3 million people in the U.S. get a herniated disk. Bulging disks are a leading cause of neck, back and leg pain. They can happen anywhere along your spine, but they most often occur in your lower back (lumber spine) or your neck (cervical spine). It’s rare for a herniated disk to be in your upper-to-mid back (thoracic spine).

If you’ve experienced a slipped disk, you know the pain can be severe. The good news is that most cases resolve on their own without the need for surgical treatment. If you’ve had symptoms for more than a few weeks, reach out to a healthcare provider. They can explain your treatment options and get you back to enjoying the activities that you love.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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