Bulging Disk Symptoms

Sometimes you feel pain in the back and if you are old you will probably attribute it to advancing years. Younger people who have the same problem will blame physical stress especially when they are involved in physically strenuous work or sports. People seldom show real concern for little physical discomforts as long as they remain ambulatory and can do their jobs. Nothing that a good rest can’t cure, they’ll say.

What is a bulging disk?

If you consulted a doctor, he could have told you that the pain you sometimes feel is one of the symptoms of bulging disk. Also known as Contained Spinal Disorder, bulging disk is a condition where a bulging intervertebral disk moves towards the spinal column. The bulging occurs when the nucleus pulposes in the intervertebral disk loses it water content. Nucleus pulposes which is 88% water provides a cushioning support to the spinal column. When the bulging disk impinges on the spinal column, the resulting pain can be excruciating.

Symptoms

Bulging disk symptoms will affect the spinal column as well as the lower back and neck areas. There are cases when bulging disk will not present immediate problem because of its location but it can develop later on into a herniated Disk, a more serious malady and a painful one.

Bulging disk symptoms are mostly about pain. But analysis of this pain can be the source of appropriate medication. The questions that the doctor will try to answer are the following:

• Location. Damaged intervertebral disk in the lower back means hip and leg pains while one located in upper back means arm pains.

• How bad does is the pain? Doctors determine the gravity of the problem through the intensity and fluctuation of the pain.

• Pain Patterns. Does the pain come suddenly or gradually? When? These are important for correct diagnosis and in determining the type of medication applicable.

Your bulging disk may not bother you for now, but it may eventually develop into a full blown problem with symptoms that can cost you money and time. It is best to seek remedy for it during its early stages since it will be easier to treat.