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Herniated Disk Causes
The most common causes of a herniated disk is wear and tear on the vertebral disk caused over the years as we age and move forward in life. Degeneration of the disk happens as we age through a natural process causing us to lose some of the fluid found in our vertebral disks.
Herniated Disk Trauma
The next most common cause of a herniated disk is trauma from a sudden force placed on the spine. This is very common in the neck and is most often a result of whiplash. Sudden force placed on the disk from whiplash can cause tiny cracks and tears that encourage a disk to herniate. When a disk is herniated the inner gel like material (nucleus) is pushed through or bulges through these tears and cracks.
Types of sudden force such as already mentioned whiplash, a sudden twisting motion or an overzealous sneeze could be enough force to push the inner material through any crack or tear in the disk’s outer layer (capsule) caused by either injury or natural degeneration. It may only take one such motion to cause a herniated disk, or it may gradually occur with each sudden motion that affects the area.
Other Herniated Disk Causes
Performing repetitive tasks day in and say out that add stress to your lower back can eventually takes its toll on the lumbar disks. If your job requires you to do a lot of bending and lifting daily, it is advised that you learn and practice safe lifting habits without fail. Truck drivers are especially prone to developing a lumbar herniated disk because of the amount of vibration they are exposed to on a daily basis.
Herniated Disk Diagnosis
Because of the nature of the symptoms related to herniated disks, they are fairly easily diagnosed. When you speak to your doctor he will ask you specific questions and then perform a complete examination on you. If your symptoms are specific enough your doctor may not need to order any complicated tests and your treatment will begin immediately.
For patients who don’t show specific symptoms and further tests are required the doctor will often order a MRI or CT scan to confirm the location of your herniated disk. A MRI or CT scan will also help your doctor rule out any other more serious health conditions that may present themselves as herniated disk symptoms.