Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Symptoms of Slipped disc

Slipped discs occur most often in your lower back. The main symptoms of a slipped disc in this region are sudden, severe back pain, muscle spasm and sciatica. Sciatica is pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling that extends down the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower spine through each buttock and leg. Usually the pain is only on one side. The pain is often made worse by moving, coughing or straining.

If a slipped disc occurs higher up the spine the symptoms can include a band of pain or numbness around your chest, as well as back pain.

If a slipped disc occurs at neck level the symptoms are pain in your shoulder, neck, arm, or hand, muscle spasm and stiffness of your neck.

If the gel inside the disc escapes directly backwards it may press very firmly on your spinal cord. This can cause sciatica in both legs, numbness in the ‘saddle area’ between your thighs and difficulty in controlling your bladder or bowels. This is known as Spinal cord compression. It is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment to prevent permanent damage to the spinal cord.

• SARSScabiesScarlet feverScarsSchizophreniaSciaticaScoliosisScurvySeasonal affective disorderSecond opinionSelf-injurySeptic shockSexual health clinicsSexually transmitted infectionsShinglesShort-sightednessSick building syndromeSickle-cell anaemiaSinusitisSjogren's syndromeSlapped cheek syndromeSleep apnoeaSlipped discSmear testSmoking (quitting)SnoringSore throatSpina bifidaSpinal muscular atrophySports injuriesSprainsSquintStaphylococcal infectionsSterilisationStillbirthStings, insectStings, marine creaturesStreptococcal infectionsStressStretch marksStrokeSubarachnoid haemorrhageSubdural haematomaSudden infant death syndromeSuicideSunburnSupraventricular tachycardiaSyphilis

  ---