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Causes and Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is a Greek term and means “choking”. It is condition whereby the space around the spinal nerves or cord narrows down.
Spinal stenosis affects men as well women and is generally observed among people above 50. Work that is labor intensive often is cause of such a condition. It can cause much distress as physical movement can get impaired.
Thee pain and discomfort gets relieved when either one bends or sits up. It can be localized or spread all over the spine.
There are two types of “spinal stenosis”, lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis. Spinal stenosis is considered to be more dangerous as it involves the compression of the spinal cord.
Spinal stenosis generally involves the degeneration of the spine particularly among older people. Most patients when they are about 60 and experience symptoms of spinal stenosis, visit their doctor. It is for lumbar spinal stenosis that they need to seek medical attention incase they do not want to face physical inactivity such as pain in the leg and difficulty in walking.
Symptoms of lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Low back pain.
- Limitations in walking.
- Tingling in the legs and numbness.
Other symptoms of Spinal Stenosis.
- Leg pain.
- Weakness.
- Inability to control bowel movement or urination due to spinal stenosis which is referred to as cauda equine syndrome. This is a condition which requires immediate medical attention.
- Pain when trying to stand.
- Pain relief when one sits down.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
- Narrowing of one’s spinal canal. This can inherited or acquired.
- Arthritis of the one’s spine.
- Bone spurs being formed.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Spinal tumors.
Treatment of Spinal Stenosis:
- Medication.
- Steriod injections.
- Surgery if necessary in case the pain persists and other types of treatment are not helpful.
- Massage therapy.
- Accupuncture.
Spinal stenosis can also be the cause of other medical conditions.
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