A bulging disc, also known as a protruded or slipping disk, is a common spine injury. While some cases of bulging disc symptoms are not troublesome, some may cause problems in future. Here is a look at what a protruding disc is, the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this condition.

What is a Protruding Disc?

Discs located between your spinal vertebrae take in shock and help you to move. Bulging discs usually form in your lower back. They arise when a deteriorated or weakened disc starts to swell through an opening in your spine and extends beyond its normal confines. Therefore, a bulging disc is one that gradually shifts outside its usual position. While the disc moves, its interior liquid nucleus starts to swell toward the weak point in its exterior casing.

Although bulging discs cause little to no pain, the disc may in the long run suffer a herniation. This means that the inner nucleus of the disc may leak out of the damaged shell and result in further complications. Bulging discs are also likely to pressure neighboring nerves and lead to severe pain.

What Causes a Bulging Disc?

The main cause for a bulging disc is age. As you grow older, the discs in your back lose their ability to absorb water. This condition is known as disc desiccation, which means losing water. When discs lose water and go dry, they shrink and the exterior layer turns weak and fragile. The interior of the disc becomes susceptible to bulging out into the weakest area of the exterior surface. Inactive people and smokers often accelerate the rate of deteriorating their discs. Some of the other causes of bulging discs include:

• Wear and tear: A bulging disc can arise by engaging in everyday activities like bending and twisting
• Trauma or injury: Your sitting, standing, or sleeping posture may strain your neck and back and cause a bulging disc.
• Overweight: Being overweight puts a lot of pressure on your vertebral discs and increases your chances of suffering a protruding disc.
• Sports injury: People involved in sporting activities have a high likelihood of suffering from back problems.
• Genetic factors: Some people have a low density of the fibres that make up the intervertebral disc and are more prone to developing a bulging disc.

Symptoms of a Bulging Disc

Symptoms of bulging discs start to emerge the moment the affected disc leads to other complications. The following are some symptoms of a bulging disc:

• Tingling or pain in your fingers, hands, arms, shoulders, and neck point to bulging disc around the upper spine region. If you are having trouble walking or feel heavy in your legs or lose control of your motor skills, you need emergency attention since this may mean you have suffered damage to your spinal cord.
• Pain in your upper back that also causes stomach and chest pain may mean you have a thoracic bulging disc. These symptoms should be taken seriously since they could mean gastrointestinal, lung, or heart failure.
• Lower back pain and muscle spasms are evidence that you have a bulging disc in your lower back region. Since this part supports most of your upper body's weight, many cases of bulging discs involve the lower back. In some cases, the discomfort goes to the feet, thighs, and buttocks. When the bulging disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, you may suffer from sciatica. This condition occurs as pain that spreads down one leg. If you lose control of your bladder due to these muscle spasms, you need to be alarmed since it could mean there is a bulging disc compressing a cauda equina nerve bundle.

Treatment Options For Bulging Discs

Some of the ways of treating a bulging disk include:

• Conservative treatment: This includes rest and pain medication for healing the bulging disc
• Administering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For severe pain your doctor could prescribe pain relievers or muscle relaxers.
• Physical therapy to relieve pressure on your nerves.
• Cortisone injections into your spine for long term relief
• Surgical procedures for treating cervical herniation.

Top 5 Routes for "Bulging Disc Symptoms"

1. Minimally Invasive Spine Care A clinic that treats spine injuries and also offers valuable information on spine injuries.
2. Biospine.com An institute that deals with the treatment of all kinds of spine injuries.
3. Physioworks.com A resource that provides information on any physical injuries.
4. Healthline.com A valuable resource for all kinds of news and information on health conditions and aimed at physicians, students, and a general audience searching for information.
5. Depuysynthes.com Trusted source of information for people suffering from back and neck pain.