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What Triggers Sciatica Nerve Pain?

By Keira Adams
Sep 15, 2009
Sciatica is a distressing medical condition having to do with the hip area and sometimes extending the length of the leg. It can impact the knee region and also create pain in the lower leg. The pain or numbness can range from mild to severe.

There are a number of different systems that make up the human body. If any of these systems malfunctions, the individual might not be able to fully enjoy everyday activities. Reproduction, respiration, the digestive system, and the circulatory system are just a few of the functions that are critical to a healthy life. Another important aspect of the body's ability to function is the nervous system. This system, which is comprised of an intricate network of nerves throughout the body which send out impulses through the spinal cord to the brain, is essential to the health of any human being.

Yet there are instances where these nerves can become pinched or compressed in the spine, which can lead to significant pain in various parts of the body. This situation generally gives rise to an agonizing medical condition named sciatica. If you think you are experiencing sciatica, it's important to know what it is, and what causes it.

When one or both of the sciatic nerves are impacted then the disease is named sciatica. With a nerve running down both the left and right legs, the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body, and frequently causes the most difficulties.

Although there are quite a few causes of sciatica nerve pain, one of the most frequent is simply old age. The reason is that with age a certain amount of breakdown occurs in a person's physical condition. The spine is an area that's greatly impacted by this process. The vertebrae can apply pressure to or squeeze the sciatic nerves that tunnel through them if spinal degeneration occurs.

A herniated disc is another cause of sciatica nerve pain. Some of the reasons for sciatica are improper lifting of weighty items, exercises done the wrong way or some type of accident resulting in trauma. When the cartilage between the vertebrae extrudes, a herniated disc is the result. This can create stress or force against the sciatic nerve, which in the end causes the condition known as sciatica.
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