What happens if you let a herniated disc go untreated?

+1 vote
asked Nov 21, 2018 in Pain by Iginacio (190 points)
What happens if you let a herniated disc go untreated?

2 Answers

0 votes
answered Nov 24, 2018 by RozJohn (340 points)
Herniated discs should always be treated because if left untreated a herniated disc or slipped disc can lead to nerve damage that is permanent.

Slipped discs that are left untreated can also cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs which can cause loss of bowel and bladder control.

Not only can you lose bladder and bowel control from a herniated disc that is left untreated the untreated herniated disc can also lead to Paralysis from the waist down.
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answered Oct 8, 2023 by callfromme (11,030 points)
Degenerative disc and herniated disc are not the same.

The degenerative disc disease means the disc is just wearing out, losing the water and gel components that support your back overtime.

Herniated disc is where the content is still there it is not drying out it just bulging and causing sometimes a different type of pain.

The best sleeping position for degenerative disc disease is on your stomach as sleeping on your stomach can help relieve any pressure on the disc.

You can also sleep on the side if you prefer but sleeping on your stomach on a firm mattress while using a flat pillow under your stomach and hips is the best way to sleep with degenerative disc disease.

The vitamins that are good for degenerative disc disease are vitamins D and Vitamins D3.

Vitamin D works for degenerative disc disease by signaling a pathway to reduce inflammation levels as well as oxidative stress in your intervertebral discs.

Vitamin D also delays the cells aging and reduces death of cells within your spine.

You can go with degenerative disc disease for the rest of your life which can be 20 to 40 years or longer as there is no cure for degenerative disc disease although treatments can help you manage the pain.

Degenerative disc disease is a lifelong disease.

Walking is good for degenerative disc disease which is a low impact exercise.

Walking can help with degenerative disc disease and help relieve pain and help strengthen your disc and back.

The activities that you should avoid with degenerative disc disease are high impact sports, heavy lifting, or high impact exercises and avoid slouching and a sedentary lifestyle.

Foods that you should avoid with degenerative disc disease are fast foods, greasy foods, French Fries sugary foods, fried foods, processed foods, red meat, dairy products, processed corn, refined grains and food with chemicals.

L4-L5 degenerative disc disease is a high risk of disc degeneration which can be caused by increased loads at the L4-L5 motion segment and also a decreased movement in the segments below that level.

Most disc herniations happen at the lower lumbar spine, especially at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels.

Degenerative disc disease can also occur in the thoracic area of the spine, most frequently at the thoracolumbar junction (where the thoracic and lumbar areas of the spinal column meet).

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs when your spinal disks break down.

When these disks wear out, people typically experience back pain and stiffness.

You may find pain relief with nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy and spinal injection.

Degenerative Disc Disease is not life threatening, but if left untreated, can lead to debilitating pain, permanent damage, and serious conditions such as spinal osteoarthritis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis and potentially paralysis.

The degenerative disc disease cannot heal on its own.

Many treatments for degenerative disc disease focus on reducing symptoms.

Some people experience more severe or longer-lasting symptoms than others.

Degenerative Disc Disease is usually not too serious although it is painful.

Degenerative Disc Disease can cause pain in the hips, legs and even lower back.

However in some cases Degenerative Disc Disease can cause Paralysis if Disc herniations happen in the persons cervical spine.

Although you can become paralyzed from Degenerative Disc Disease it's very rare for it to happen and Degenerative Disc Disease is usually not that serious although just painful and debilitating.

If the degenerative disc disease gets too severe and it's in the end stage it can paralyze a person.

And unfortunately there's no cure for degenerative disc disease and there's not much you can do for it.

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