Facts on Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body.

In this article:

What is sciatica?

Diagnosis

How Chemist Online can help

Symptoms

Effect on your life

Advice & Support

Causes

Treatment

What is sciatica?
Sciatica is an acute or chronic condition which can be incapacitating. Although not as prevalent a condition as lower back pain, sciatica can be common and a major reason why people take time off work through sickness each year in the UK.

With acute sciatica, symptoms can be present for episodes of up to 6 weeks, whereas with chronic (long-term) sciatica the sufferer can be forced to cope as best they can with the condition for many years, gaining relief from over-the-counter or prescribed remedies.

Symptoms
Symptoms of sciatica can be mild or severe and include:

persistent (or spasms of) pain in the lower back

a searing ‘continuation’ of this pain through the buttocks

further pain down the legs and into the feet

muscle weakness and numbness

a tingling sensation in the affected area(s), particularly the legs and feet

Causes
The usual cause of sciatica is a prolapsed disc which can result in:

compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve

pressure upon the sciatic nerve

damage to the sciatic nerve (e.g., through continuous heavy lifting as part of a manual job)

Note: Sciatica in older people can also occur as a result of osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms and are not experiencing any improvement through taking over-the-counter painkillers or anti-inflammatories, then make an appointment to see your GP. After taking your medical history, he or she will ask you some questions about your symptoms and then recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

Effect on your life
As well as finding it difficult to do normal everyday tasks, such as: vacuum cleaning, carrying shopping bags, standing at a sink to do the washing up, and even driving, sciatica can also contribute toward the development of other health problems, such as loss of bladder and bowel control. If these particular problems occur, seek medical advice immediately.

Also, many people with sciatica develop depressive illness as a result of struggling to cope with their condition. (Please see contact details for the Depression Alliance in the Advice & Support section at the foot of this article).

Treatment
In time, the symptoms of sciatica usually diminish of their own accord. However treatments for the condition can include:

prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications

applying hot (and cold) compresses to the low back

physiotherapy

osteopathy

chiropractic therapy

epidural injections

surgery (in rare cases, where all other treatment options have proved unsuccessful – this is usually where long-term or chronic sciatica occurs, as opposed to acute sciatica which usually lasts for up to 6 weeks.)

Remaining as active as possible and continuing to do normal activities (as best you can) is usually recommended for sciatica to ‘work its way out’, as lying in bed and waiting for the symptoms to ease and eventually disappear is rarely successful, and, in fact, can exacerbate symptoms.

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy that can help relieve the symptoms of sciatica, such as: Nurofen and Anadin Paracetamol Tablets which provide fast, effective relief and can help you to carry out your normal everyday activities. We can also recommend Radian B Ibuprofen Gel – a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory topical gel for the relief of pain and inflammation in conditions such as sciatica, backache, rheumatic and muscular pain, sprains, strains and sports injuries.



www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
BackCare
BackCare – The Charity for Healthier Backs
16 Elmtree Road
Teddington
TW11 8ST
Tel: 0845 130 2704
Website: www.backcare.org.uk
E-mail: enquiry form here

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
14 Bedford Row
London WC1R 4ED
Website: www.csp.org.uk
E-mail: contact form here

Depression Alliance
212 Spitfire Studios
63–71 Collier Street
London
N1 9BE
Tel: 0845 123 23 20
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
E-mail: information@depressionalliance.org


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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