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Wear and tear of the vertebral disc is usually the reason that a person develops a herniated disc. Wear and tear of the disc (degeneration) happens naturally as we age and lose the fluid that helps the disc maintain flexibility. A herniated disc can also be a result of a traumatic injury to the spine, which can cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. The inner jelly like material of the disc is called the nucleus which may sometimes be forced through the tiny tears and cracks in the capsule causing the disc to rupture, bulge or even break into fragments.
Herniated disc causes
An excessive amount of pressure or a heavy strain applied to the affected disc area. A sudden twisting motion or a jolting sneeze may force some of the nucleus (inner material) out through the disc’s outer layer (capsule).
Repetitive activities that are done over and over again adding stress to your lower back will break down the disc over time. Some of these activities include poor lifting habits, excessive exposure to vibration. Repetitive sports actions can also play factor in the cause of the herniated disc.
Diagnosing a herniated disc
Diagnosing a herniated disc is easily accomplished. Your doctor will ask you specific questions and give you a complete examination. Depending on how specific your herniated disc symptoms are, you may not need any further tests for treatment to begin.
If you do not have specific enough symptoms that clearly show you suffer from a herniated disc, tests such as a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT (computed tomography) scan may be required to confirm a herniated disc or rule out larger health issues that may be present.