Pain that radiates from the waist to the legs could be a sign of sciatica. This condition is caused by pressure or inflammation on the sciatic nerve, and ignoring it can be dangerous.
How dangerous is sciatica pain?
If you experience pain from your waist to your feet, these could be symptoms of sciatica, and ignoring them could be dangerous. Symptoms of sciatica include pain from the waist to the feet, which can be troublesome for anyone. Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in our body, becomes inflamed or compressed, causing pain. Ignoring this can be very dangerous. Let's learn more about this pain so you can recognize it early.
How does sciatica pain occur?
Sciatica pain begins when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in our body, becomes inflamed or compressed. The sciatic nerve is formed by the union of five separate nerve roots that originate at the base of our spine and become thicker as they fuse together. These roots run along both sides of our body, extending from the base of our spine through our hips to the back of our legs.
Symptoms of sciatica pain
Sciatica pain usually affects one area of the body, primarily the legs and back, where the pain is most severe. Some people describe the pain as feeling like a sharp electric shock, accompanied by numbness and weakness in the legs.
- One of the most common causes of sciatica pain is a herniated disc. This occurs when one of the many discs in the spine ruptures due to injury or pressure. This causes the fluid inside the disc to leak out, creating a herniated disc. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain and weakness.
- A common cause of sciatica pain is an injury to the lower spine. When a person is injured in an accident and the injury affects the lower spine, sciatica can occur.
- Osteoarthritis can also contribute to sciatica pain. Our joints have a smooth layer called cartilage, which protects bones from rubbing against each other. When this layer begins to wear down or weaken, joint pain begins. Osteoarthritis, commonly known as arthritis, is also known as arthritis.
