Steemit Learning Challenge-S21W6; Disc Herniation
Greetings, dear friends, it's another week in the Steemit Learning Challenge, and I'm delighted to join the contest organized here by @ashkhan. This week we are looking at a topic Disc Herniation.
| What's disc herniation? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post. |
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Disc herniation in human occurs whenever the nucleus pulposus tear through a tougher exterior along the spine i.e the lower back region or the neck region and this region is called the annulus fibrosus. So when this condition is noticed we term it disc herniation.
This disc in human body is very important as it main purpose is to allow for movement and flexibility in the vertebrae. When we notice herniation, the common symptoms which the individual faces may include pain and weaknesses in the nerve area where the herniation is taking place.
Now, you may want to ask what is the main cause of disc herniation? The main cause or causes of disc herniation is ageing or wear and tear of some part in our bodies which is as a result of work we subject ourselves to. Another thing that may likeky cause the disc herniation is when we stress ourselves repetitively.
Now haven known the causes of the disc herniation we need to also know some of the major ways to treat it. Basically, the treatment may differe base on how severe it is. Most of the basic Treatment include physical therapy and also taking of medication such as pain relief. Also if the symptoms persist then more options can be consider such as surgery.
As explained in the lecture, there are basically 3 types of disc herniation which are the Cervical Disc Herniation, Thoracic Disc Herniation and the Lumbar Disc Herniation which is the common type of herniation we have.
Cervical Disc Herniation: This type of disc herniation occurs at the cervical region and it is always as a result of age-related which has to do with wear and tear in man.
Thoracic Disc Herniation: This type of disc herniation occurs in the thoracic region or the upper back region.
Lumbar Disc Herniation: As I said earlier, this is one of the basic common type of the disc herniation as it also occur in the lumbar or the back region of a human.
| How would you diagnose a disc herniation? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests? |
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In other to properly diagnose a disc herniation situation you must combine among other things clinical evaluation of the patient, medical history and imaging tests of the patient. Carrying out all of these together will help you to know how severe the disc herniation is and also you will know which treatment to go for. Now let's look at them one after the other.
Clinical Evaluation: Here in this stage, you will need to consider the Medical History of the patient and Physical Examination to see how the person is reacting to the happening in his body.
Medical History: Here what we must check include the symptoms of the patient to ascertain how the patient is feeling. Then we go ahead to check injury history which may include physical examination to see if there is any physical trauma. Lastly we check the risk or activities that may have caused it such as age, activity level and many more.
Physical Examination: Here we are to consider carrying out some form of physical examination such as the Neurological Exam which is the strength of the muscles and check of nerves, Straight Leg Raise Test which involves the doctor raising the legs of the patient and Sensory and Motor Testing which involves checking affected areas.
Imaging Tests: Some of the major image test that are carried out here include the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT Scan (Computed Tomography) and X-ray. This is to see clear the disc herniation issues of the patient.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This imaging test provide a clear and detail image of the area and this enable doctors to know how severe the entire case is.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography): In the absence of the MRI, CT scan can be used as it also shows the shape and size of the herniation which helps the doctor to know the exact severity of the issue.
X-ray: This may not be able to dictate herniation properly but it can help to determine what is exactly wrong with the back such as broken bone or fracture.
Electromyography (EMG): This test is used to check the functionality of the muscles. The test check what causes the muscles to be weak and the nerve that is affected.
Diagnostic Injections (Optional): Here you can inject suspected areas to see if the pains around the area will reduced. So this injection provide temporary relief before a better solution is profound.
| Try to practice at least 3 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practicing preferably gifs or videos. |
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Hip Bridging Exercise
The above video shows me performing the hip bridging exercise. While performing this exercise I noticed that my back muscles became very strengthen. I carried out the exercise for about 3 minutes and I noticed that all the veins around my back were strengthened.
William Flexion ( knee to chest stretch)
The above video also shows me performing the knee to chest stretch. This exercise allowed me to drag my leg to the chest with my back on the ground. While carrying out this exercise I noticed that the knee was strengthened and all muscles around it as well as those around my chest also felt it.
Piriformis Stretch
The above video shows me performing the Piriformis Stretch. Here you can see the way I curl my leg and also drag the other. All muscles within the leg region responded while I was performing this very exercise. When carrying out this task I noticed that my body became more free as blood circulation moved every part of my body.
| Share your review after performing these exercises either on yourself, healthy individual or patient. |
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The three exercise I performed include Hip Bridging Exercise, William Flexion ( knee to chest stretch) and Piriformis Stretch. Among them all I had different experience as I carried out the entire thing on my body and not on anyone else.
In the case of the Hip bridging exercise While performing this exercise I noticed that my back muscles became very strengthen.
In the case of William Flexion ( knee to chest stretch), While carrying out this exercise I noticed that the knee was strengthened and all muscles around it as well as those around my chest also felt it.
In the case of Piriformis Stretch, all muscles within the leg region responded while I was performing this very exercise.
Finally I want to invite @josepha, @suboohi and @dove11 to also share their participation in this contest if they haven't done that already.
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Thank you for understanding the lesson and sharing your assignment; I hope that you will enjoy this week's lesson and try to implement it in your life if you see any such case.
Observations
Task 1 (2.8/3)
You have shared a great knowledge about disc herniation, its symptoms, its causes and its types. But you didn't add the vertebrae involved in each region, like in cervical C1 to C7 vertebrae. A bit more depth is required to complete the answer. I appreciate your effort.
Task 2 (2.7/3)
In the second question, you tell us about how you have to assess a patient by doing a physical examination and history taking, performing investigations and not adding special tests. You add one special test, but It would be better if you add the name and explanation of one special test of each region to assess the disc herniation. Great.
Task 3 (3.9/4)
You try the hip bridging, William Flexion and piriformis stretch exercises. You did the hip bridging, William Flexion correctly. But while performing piriformis stretches, try to keep your head on the floor. As I feel, due to height, you feel it is difficult, but the good thing is you try and perform well. Always remember to apply a heat pack before performing exercises to relax the muscles and reduce stiffness. I appreciate your efforts.
Overall you made a great attempt to answer all the questions. I appreciate your efforts. But next time try to avoid the above written suggestions. Keep learning and try to implement your knowledge to the people suffering from disc herniation or any type of back pain. Thank you.
You are very sexy boss.