Category: Health

What is Sciatica?

Sciaticais a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve extending from the lower back through hips, buttocks and down each leg. It typically affects only one leg at a time. It occurs commonly when there is any herniated vertebral disc, any bone spur on the vertebral column or there is the narrowing of the spine.

Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched usually by the herniated disc or bone spur on the vertebral column. In rare cases, it is seen that the nerve is compressed because of tumors or in diseases like diabetes it is seen more commonly.

There are certain risk factors for sciatica as follows-

• Age – Age-related issues as a herniated spine or bone spur are the most common causes.
• Obesity –Excess body weight can contribute to the stress on the spine which can trigger sciatica.
• Diabetes – in this condition due to nerve damage changes seen commonly, sciatica is seen more frequently.
• Occupation – Occupations which include carrying heavy loads drive a vehicle for a longer period are seen to have chances of getting sciatic pain.
• Prolonged sitting – People who have a sedentary lifestyle or who sit for a longer period are commonly seen affected by sciatica.
• Muscle spasms in the back.
• Pregnancy
• Spondylolisthesis.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Common symptoms of sciatica include –

• Lower back pain
• Hip pain
• Constant pain on one side of the leg.
• Pain is unbearable making one difficult to stand.
• Tingling pain down the leg.

The Hallmark sign of Sciatica is the pain radiates from your lower spine to your buttock and down the leg. There is discomfort along the nerve pathway.

This pain can vary from a sharp cutting pain to mild pain. It also feels like an electric shock sometimes. Sitting for a prolonged period can aggravate the symptom.

Some of the people have numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg.

Diagnosis for Sciatica

Personal checkups during the routine examination may reveal the condition. There are few imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis as –

• Xray – Xray of the spine is can reveal the bone spur.
• MRI – MRI spine helps to find out the details images of the spine and soft tissues surrounding helping to diagnose the case.
• CT Scan – it is used to do diagnose the case finally.
• EMG (Electromyography) – this test measures the electric impulse produced by nerves and the responses of your muscles.

Conventional Treatment of Sciatica

There are various conventional methods for the treatment of sciatica like as –

• Physiotherapy – it includes exercises to correct the posture, strengthen the muscles supporting the back improving the flexibility.
• Medications – The types of drugs in sciatica are anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxants, narcotics, etc.
• Steroidal Injection is also suggested in some cases where the nerve root is also involved.
• Surgery – it is the option usually reserved for patients when the compressed nerve causes prominent symptoms like loss of bowel or bladder control, or the pain do not subside though taking pain killers. Surgery can remove those bone spurs or the portion of the herniated disk that is pressurizing on the nerve.

Homeopathic remedies for Sciatica

Homeopathy does not treat a symptom but considers the unique set of symptoms as a whole to address the root cause of the problem. The Homeopathic remedies for sciatica are believed to enhance the structure and functions of the nerves. Homeopathic remedies for Sciatica are –

• Hypericum –Studies suggest that this homeopathic remedy may reduce spasms in the lower lumbar region. [Source:]
• Aconitum Napellus – Studies suggest that this homeopathic remedy may possess anti-inflammatory properties. [Source:]
• Colocynthis – Studies suggest that this Homeopathic remedy may relieve the pain caused due to pressure on the nerve ending. [Source:]

Preventive measure for sciatica

Some types of Sciatica like associated with pregnancy, degenerative disk disease, cannot be prevented. In some cases, it is possible to prevent to an extent by taking certain measures like

• Maintaining good posture.
• Quitting smoking.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Regular exercises like yogasanas, breathing exercises.
• Keeping safe from fall.

Ayurvedic Diet Suggested

Recommended foods are –

• Brown rice, whole wheat, green gram (moong), horse gram(kulatha), sesame(til), Louki(white guard), ginger, garlic, milk, and dairy products.
• An adequate amount of potassium is also essential for managing Sciatica as it provides toughness to the muscles and helps in neuro-transmission. Potassium-rich foods are green leafy vegetables, avocados, white beans, potatoes, mushrooms, banana, Salmon fish.
• Chicken, meat, and eggs should be consumed moderately as they cause constipation.

Foods to be avoided are –

• Green peas, karela(bitter gourd), Frozen meat, fermented foods, cold drinks, cold water too.

Ayurvedic dietary tips

• Take 5-6 pieces each of garlic and clove in a 10 ml sesame oil, heat on low flame for 5 minutes, allow to cool a bit and then apply it on your back with a gentle massage every day at bedtime. This remedy offers excellent relief from back pain, stiffness, and lumbago.
• Freshly prepared ginger and lemon juice with black salt is good to relieve backache.

Home care for Sciatica

Self-care at home is necessary to manage the pain factor in sciatica. Stretching or activities that place additional strain on the back must be avoided.

Sleeping one-sided with a pillow taking in between the knees is seen as comfortable in many cases.

Heat and ice therapy alternating can provide instant relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice pack helps to reduce the inflammation, while heat increases the blood flow to the painful areas giving some relief. Apply an ice pack to the painful area for 15 minutes once every hour and then apply heat for 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

Proper body posture is found essential in helping to relieve the pain many times. Varying the posture after every 15 to 20 minutes is also beneficial.

Submitted by: Tim Leach

Its well documented that there are no medically verified cures for HIV and AIDS. While researchers continue to make progress towards getting a cure, there are always going to be a number of discredited treatments and conmen trying to make some money off the backs of peoples desperation. Here are 9 of the more unusual ones, as well as one that is yet to be externally verified thats been rumbling on for 8 years

The Remarkable Recovery of Andrew Stimpson

Anecdotally, there have been a lot of cases of people spontaneously recovering for no reason whatsoever, but in November 2005, two British newspapers broke the story of Andrew Stimpson. In May 2002, Stimpson underwent HIV testing and was diagnosed as positive. In August that year, he underwent two further tests both of which confirmed the original diagnosis. The viral load test showed the virus to be of low quantities, so he was not prescribed antiretroviral medication, but took vitamin supplements on his own volition.

14 months later, feeling surprisingly healthy he was tested again and found to have no HIV antibodies in the blood stream two follow up tests confirmed this. After attempting to sue the hospitals which had wrongly diagnosed him, it was confirmed that there was no mix-up, and his original blood sample was retested only to find another positive.

He went for follow up testing in 2006 to see if he held the answer of a cure in him, but no news has appeared since. Although 3 false positives is highly unlikely, many scientists still find it a more plausible explanation than a cure and the vitamins explanation is generally considered nonsense (many people worldwide take vitamins and mineral supplements, and there is no evidence to suggest they help cure an HIV infection.)

President Jammehs AIDS Cure

In January 2007, President Jammeh of Gambia made the claim that he could cure both Asthma and HIV/AIDS with a days treatment. He promised that in between 3 and 30 days an HIV test would show negative results. The treatment involves herbs mixed into a green paste and a pale yellow tea, along with the power of prayer.

Although the Gambian president still continues the treatment, results have been met with skepticism at least two patients have died, and many others show no improvement. Those that do show an undetectable viral load test may well have been taking antiretroviral medication before the treatment, which often leaves the virus undetectable. The International AIDS association has labeled Gambias reliance on an untested program unethical and described the decision to take patients off antiretroviral medications shocking and irresponsible

Dr Sebi

Dr. Sebi was arrested in 1987 and again in 1997 for publishing false health claims and practicing medicine without a license, but that hasnt stopped many being taken in by his electric foods which claim to cure AIDS, cancer and others. The miracle cure, which comes with no verifiable evidence, is a mixture of plant extracts which claims to remove the mucous which Sebi believes is the cause of AIDS when compromised.

Ubhejane

Ubhejane is a brown liquid made from 89 herbs which is available in South Africa, created by Zeblon Gwala. Rigorous human trials have shown no evidence of this improving the condition of those with positive HIV test results, but that hasnt stopped the Gwalas employees describing it as a cure for AIDS. The opposition party in South Africa has attempted to prosecute Gwala for fraud, and recently the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa demanded the withdrawal of an advert that boasted that the drug boosted immunity and reduced viral load.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver is a suspension of tiny silver particles in water. It can kill germs in laboratory conditions, but that doesnt mean that it benefits people with HIV as has been suggested. On top of the fact that there is no evidence that it works as a cure, taking Colloidal Silver can be incredibly dangerous. It is illegal in America, can cause irreversible bluish-grey skin discoloration (argyria) and in large doses can cause kidney damage, stomach issues, headaches, fatigue, skin irritation and neurological problems.

Virodene

In the late 1990s, Virodene was seen as a potential cure for AIDS, and was strongly supported by members of the South African government. Lab studies have shown that the chemical (based on the industrial solvent dimethylformamide) does not destroy HIV or inhibit its replication, and the only study on humans showed it did not reduce viral load and only marginally affected the immune system. Dimethylformamide in its original form is a toxic substance and workers are advised to avoid contact with the skin as it can cause serious liver damage!

Ozone

Ozone is a form of oxygen gas that is unstable its been touted as a cure for many diseases as well as for those who have had HIV tests return positive. Whatever form it is taken through injected, applied to extracts of blood, or swallowed the gas has shown no significant effects on HIV infection. Its illegal in America for retailers to make any health claims about ozone generators.

Dr. Hulda Clarks HIV Zapper

Dr. Hulda Clark who does not actually hold a medical license promotes an electrical zapper which she claims can destroy parasites, bacteria and viruses in the body by generating low voltage electricity. No proper studies of the zapper have been conducted, but given Dr Clark has been in trouble for practicing medicine without a licence in both the US and Mexico, and believes that HIV comes from intestinal worms and can be present in snails, would you really want to take a chance on her remedy?

Dr. Gary R. Davis Goat Serum

When a goat appeared to Dr. Gary R. Davis in a dream, he believed that a goat serum was the cure to HIV. He was unable to conduct tests in America or Ghana due to legal restrictions, but one woman stole a sample of the serum from his office and used it on her daughter. Despite many reports to the opposite, the daughter confirmed in an interview in 2006 that the treatment had not been successful and that subsequent HIV testing had provided positive results.

Jeremiah Abalaka

Along with all these discredited cures, there is one that has been rumbling on without a scientific approval for some 8 years now. In May 2000, the BBC reported on Jerimiah Abalaka, a Nigerian doctor who claimed to have found a cure and a vaccine against the dreaded HIV virus. After curing 29 people, Abalaka promised a paper on it soon and even claimed to have injected himself with HIV positive blood on six occasions to prove the success of his vaccine.

When the scientific paper was published, it emerged that the vaccine was developed from the blood of HIV patients and Abalaka claimed that it also eliminated antibodies for Hepatitis B and C, and improved malaria symptoms in a number of patients. New Scientist described the idea of a vaccine as plausible in 2004, but to date it has not been verified outside of the paper itself. The saga continues to rumble on, and the last I heard it Abalaka was suing the Nigerian Academy of Science for casting doubt upon the vaccine.

About the Author: Tim Leach is the Marketing Manager of USA Lab Testing, providers of confidential

HIV tests

.

Source:

isnare.com

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