Sciatica describes pain, weakness,
numbness, or tingling in your lower back that may extend down your
buttocks and legs caused by issues with your sciatic nerve.
Unfortunately, sciatica may interfere with your daily life. While
some risk factors aren't preventable, you can take certain steps to
manage your risks and live a life without pain and discomfort. Here
are some common risk factors and what to do to minimize them.
1. You Are Pregnant
Pregnancy is a possible cause of
sciatica and may occur from the extra fluid retention your body
maintains during pregnancy. This fluid can pass through the pelvis
and press on the sciatic nerve. Sometimes, it stems from pressure
from your uterus or the unborn baby on the sciatic nerve.
Although you can't prevent
pregnancy-related sciatica, you can seek treatment and learn ways to
manage the discomfort at home.
2. You Are Between 30 and 50
Additionally and most commonly, people
experience sciatica when they're between the ages of 30 and 50.
Generally, this risk factor for sciatica poses a problem because
you're more likely to develop bone spurs or a herniated disc - two
conditions that contribute to pressure on your sciatic nerve - at
this age.
While you can't control your age, you
can manage your risk for sciatica due to your age by exercising
regularly. You may also decrease the likelihood of sciatica by
maintaining good posture to prevent the extra stress on your lower
back.
3. You Are Obese
In addition, obesity increases your
chances of sciatica. The extra weight puts additional stress on the
vertebrae and discs in your back. As these components endure the
pressure, your spine may change and stimulate sciatica symptoms. To
reduce this risk, you should strive to reduce your weight.
Physical activity can reduce your
weight. Generally, you want to aim for between 150 to 300 minutes of
physical activity each week, particularly moderate-intensity
exercises like swimming or speed walking.
You should also focus on your eating
habits by cutting your calories and eating a diet consisting of
nutrient-rich foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. You
want to focus on what you shouldn't eat, such as sugary foods
and items high in saturated fat, as well.
4. You Live a Sedentary Lifestyle
Your risk for sciatica also increases
when you live a sedentary lifestyle because you don't work out the
muscles and other soft tissue in your back like you should.
Ultimately, to correct this problem you
need to get up and move enough throughout each day. Not only will you
reduce the pressure on your soft tissue, but you also decrease your
risk for another risk factor for sciatica - obesity.
5. You Have Diabetes
Diabetes increases your risk of
sciatica as well. When you have diabetes, you're at an elevated risk
for nerve damage, such as your sciatic nerve.
Ultimately, you want to control your
diabetes. You should aim to keep your blood sugar levels before you
eat between 70
to 130 milligrams
per deciliter (mg/dL). After a meal, you should
strive to keep your levels under 180 mg/dL. Keep in mind that diet
and exercise are vital components of regulating your blood sugar
levels.
6. You Smoke
If you smoke, you put yourself more at
risk for sciatica for a component in the tobacco - nicotine. This
substance damages the tissue in your back and can contribute to the
wearing away of the discs in your back.
Ultimately, you want to quit smoking as
soon as possible to decrease your risk of the damage nicotine can do
to your body.
You can reduce your risk of sciatica
with diet regulation, exercise, lifestyle changes, and controlling
the underlying risk factors. However, if you already have sciatica,
you can visit a chiropractor who can help manage your symptoms more
effectively.
Schedule an appointment to see what a
chiropractor can do for you whether you have sciatica or are at risk
by contacting
Corner Chiropractic Center, serving Fair Oaks, CA, and the nearby
region, today.
