Common Causes of Herniated Discs

The spinal column extends from the base of the skull to the pelvis. It is composed of thirty-three vertebrae. These vertebrae allow motion and render flexibility while the bones, ligaments and muscles provide stability. The spinal column is designed as such to enable the performance of day to day activities – motion for the neck and back, and support for the upper body weight.

In between the individual vertebrae bodies are discs. It appears to be in a stacked position wherein the discs serve as protection to keep the neck and back mobile while minimizing friction between vertebrae. The disk has a tough exterior (annulus fibrosus) with a soft gel in the middle (nucleus pulposus). The outer part is made up of concentric sheets of collagen fibers. Both are composed of water, collagen and proteoglycans but fluid content is much higher in the inner core. Due to a variety of reasons these discs can degenerate causing the inner core to go through a tear in the outer core. When this happens, the disc can inflame nearby nerves, the outer core and the spinal column, which in turn causes pain, numbness and other excruciating results. This condition is what we call a Herniated Disc.  

CAUSES

As mentioned above, there are a variety of reasons resulting to one developing a Herniated Disc. The following are possible causes:

1. Aging

The most common cause for disc herniation is the natural process of aging. Overtime the discs degenerate – decreasing in water content rendering it brittle and less flexible – such can contribute to the formation of a leak out of the outer core of the disc when even non-strenuous motion is involved. The discs also begin to shrink as part of the aging process

2. Spine Trauma

While normal aging happens overtime, spinal trauma is a sudden change resulting from an injury in the spinal column that causes one to have a Herniated Disc. Usually, that kind of injury comes from high-impact sports. However, chronic injuries can also eventually result to a disc herniation such as jobs that constantly expose the spine to strain and pressure, i.e. heavy weight lifting.  

3. Overweight

The spine is responsible to support the additional weight of the body specifically in the abdominal region. The vertebrae is compacted from the added weight which in turn congests the discs in between. Hence, overtime the pressure it places on the spine can eventually result to damages such as a Herniated Disc.

4. Poor Lifting

Constantly lifting heavy weight objects can cause strain in the lower back and accumulate small tears in the discs which eventually result to a rupture in the disc.

5. Smoking Habits

Smoking can release toxins in the body which can affect the discs in the spine. It also impedes the circulation of important nutrients to keep the spine healthy.

6. Poor Nutrition

As aforementioned, there are certain nutrients needed to keep the spine healthy. Poor nutrition can deprive the spine of those essentials. Also, poor nutrition is one of the causes of bad weight gain. Hence, it too can eventually lead to a Herniated disc condition.

7. Genetics

It’s possible that a family has a history of spine diseases and conditions such as a Herniated disc which increases the chances of developing disc herniation.