Pinched Nerve

You’ll want to visit a healthcare provider about your pinched nerve if it’s not responding to conservative treatment at home, like rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. To find the source of the pinched nerve, your provider will physically examine the affected area. They’ll look for muscle weakness, check for changes in reflexes and ask about the different sensations you’re feeling.

If necessary, your provider may recommend one or more of these tests to find the source of the problem:

X-ray: An X-ray can show bone changes that may be affecting nerves, like narrowing of your spinal canal or fractures.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound may show nerve compression or damage to the surrounding ligaments.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan shows 3D images and more detail of your bones and soft tissues (like ligaments) than an X-ray.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI can show if damage to soft tissues is causing nerve compression.
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study: These tests can help determine if a nerve is working as it should. This helps your provider see if symptoms are due to pressure on spinal nerve roots or if they’re the result of another condition and cause.

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?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.