A herniated (slipped) disc is quite common, with around 5 to 20 adults in every 1,000 suffering from one each year. It is most common in people in their 30s to 50s, and men are twice as likely to suffer from one as women. The spine consists of bones (vertebrae) that are stacked upon one another. Each vertebra is connected to the other by an intervertebral disc. The intervertebral discs help increase the flexibility of the spine and function as shock absorbers. Each individual intervertebral disc consists of a tough outer fibrous layer surrounding a jelly-like inner layer. A slipped disc (disc herniation) can describe a tear of the outer fibrous layer of the intervertebral disc with or without protrusion of some of the inner gelatinous layer. In a slipped disc, a tear of the outer fibrous layer can cause significant pain that is usually specific to one area of the neck or back, depending upon which disc is involved. If there is also a bulging of the inner gelatinous layer that irritates or compresses one of the nerves around the spine, this can result in significant pain, numbness, weakness or tingling that extends into a limb. This is most often seen in the legs and is commonly referred to as sciatica. Slipped discs can occur following a specific injury or episode of heavy lifting. More commonly, however, slipped discs occur as a result of age-related wear and tear. As we age, our intervertebral discs become stiffer and are more at risk of rupturing. What are the common causes of a slipped disc? Slipped discs are often caused by excessive strain or pressure on one part of the spine. Things that make slipped discs more likely include: getting older heavy lifting, including having a job where lifting heavy things repeatedly occurs having a job that involves sitting for a long time or driving for long periods being overweight or obese smoking being involved with contact sports.

Back pain is a very common condition that is estimated to affect around a quarter of the population at any one time. Most of us will experience some type of back pain during our lives, and it is one of the most common reasons for having to take time off work. Our back is a complex structure that is made up of many parts, including small facet joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles - any of which can be a source of back pain. Fortunately, most people with back pain don’t have a serious cause for it, and it usually gets better by itself within a week or so with a combination of rest, painkillers and self-help. However, there are occasions when back pain can be a sign that something is seriously wrong, and urgent medical attention is needed. In this article we look at when back pain may be an emergency and what to do if you think it is.

Living with lower back and knee pain can be challenging. Both areas play a crucial role in our everyday mobility and functionality, and in combination, can really impact your quality of life. However, by unravelling the connection between these two types of pain and finding effective relief, life can become much more enjoyable. In this article, we'll delve deep into the symptoms, possible causes, and treatments for with lower back and knee pain, providing you with valuable insights to alleviate your discomfort and improve your wellbeing.

Back pain is a very common problem, as is an enlarged prostate (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), in older men. Although the two things may seem unrelated, there can sometimes be a connection between them, involving anatomical, physiological, and lifestyle factors. In this article we look at possible links between an enlarged prostate gland and back pain. Understanding back pain Back pain is a common health issue that can affect individuals of all ages and is characterised by discomfort or pain in the upper, middle, or lower back. Back pain can be acute or chronic and may result from various factors, including muscle strains, ligament sprains, herniated discs, and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Understanding the prostate gland The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. Its primary function is to produce seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. As men age, the prostate can undergo changes, including enlargement, which can cause various problems such as: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) BPH is the most common condition associated with an enlarged prostate and involves the non-cancerous growth of prostate cells, leading to an increase in the size of the gland. It is caused by increasing age but other risk factors include a family history and obesity. Common symptoms of BPH include increased frequency of urination, urgency, difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and nocturia (frequent urination at night). Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) This is a broad term that encompasses various urinary symptoms associated with conditions affecting the lower urinary tract, including the prostate gland. Symptoms include storage symptoms (frequency, urgency, nocturia), voiding symptoms (poor stream, hesitancy, straining), and post-voiding symptoms (dribbling). BPH is a common cause of LUTS. Acute Urinary Retention (AUR) This is a sudden inability to pass urine, which is a medical emergency and BPH is a leading cause. The enlarged prostate can obstruct the urethra, leading to the sudden inability to urinate. Immediate treatment is required, usually involving catheterization to relieve the obstruction and allow urine to flow out of the bladder.

Back pain is a very common problem with around 4 out of 5 people having significant back pain at some time in their lives, and around 9 million people in the UK live with back pain. Fortunately, most cases are not serious, require little in the way of treatment, and gradually get better over time. In most people with back pain, it is not due to a serious disease or serious back problem, and the exact cause of the pain is not clear. This is called nonspecific lower back pain. The usual advice is to keep active, and do normal activities as much as possible. Painkillers can help until the pain eases, and in this article we look at the best types of anti-inflammatory medicines available to treat your back pain. First of all, let’s look at back pain in general.

A slipped disc (disc herniation can describe a tear of the outer fibrous layer of the intervertebral disc, with or without protrusion of some of the inner gelatinous layer. In a slipped disc, a tear of the outer fibrous layer can cause significant pain that is usually specific to one area of the neck or back, depending upon which disc is involved. If there is also a bulging of the inner gelatinous layer that irritates or compresses one of the nerves around the spine, this can result in significant pain, numbness, weakness or tingling that extends into a limb. This is most often seen in the legs and is commonly referred to as sciatica. Slipped discs can occur following a specific injury or episode of heavy lifting. More commonly, however, slipped discs occur as a result of age-related wear and tear. As we age our intervertebral discs become stiffer and are more at risk of rupturing. This process occurs typically in stages. Here at Healthwords, we know how difficult a slipped disc can be for you so in this article we look at the four stages of disc herniation and how they can be treated.

Hip pain can arise from a variety of reasons, including long periods spent driving. If you are experiencing hip pain while driving, or even after your journey, this guide is for you. We have included some helpful advice on how to prevent and reduce hip pain that has been either caused or worsened by driving, covering treatment options, helpful exercises, and day-to-day advice.

Pregnancy can be a tough time, it can throw up new muscle and ligament aches, back ache, and it can make headaches or migraines worse. It’s hard to know what pain relief is safe to reach for, so let’s talk you through what’s available to you, while keeping you comfortable and your baby healthy and happy. The general rule of thumb is, don’t take anything unnecessarily. If your pain is mild and bearable, hold off on medication, especially in the first 12 weeks (first trimester). Try non-medicated solutions first, such as lying down in a dark room to help a headache, or having a warm bath or hot water bottle to relieve muscle aches. Some medications are known to cause harm to your pregnancy and should be avoided. Others drugs may not have been through clinical trials on pregnant women, so there may be a theoretical risk or they are not known to be either safe or harmful. Drug manufacturers usually err on the side of caution in saying their medication should be avoided in pregnancy. Thankfully the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) has advised on what’s safe and what’s not. They stress that if you need to take pain medication, is should be at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time possible. The RCOG also recognise that inadequate pain relief can carry a psychological and physical burden, causing anxiety and depression in a new mother and disrupting bonding with baby. It may also prevent you from getting that all-important rest you need to revive.

When we experience pain, we seek any means to relieve it. That’s how we evolved and survived as animals. Although cavemen didn’t have pharmacies to get their paracetamol from. So when wandering around the pharmacy and faced with a multitude of choices, how do we know what’s going to hit the spot? And what if we’ve exhausted what the pharmacy offers and we still haven’t cracked it, what more can your doctor offer? Let’s talk you through painkillers available to buy at the pharmacist, and the so-called ladder of pain relief, which may require your doctor to prescribe stronger medications as you climb upwards. By knowing the different classes of painkillers, you can also combine them if you need to. It’s also good to be aware of side effects, and if these are unbearable, there may be other medications such as ones to treat nausea with opioid medications, that help you feel more comfortable. The following relates to tablets or oral medications: we discuss gels, creams, patches and other modes of pain relief in other articles. You may also need medications to reduce risks if you’re taking medications for a long time, such as protecting against excess stomach acid caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Or switching to a cream or gel to avoid certain problems or risks. Let’s start with the science behind the main classes of pain relievers, or analgesics, as we call them.

Waking up with stiff or painful ankles in the morning is a common problem as you get older. The ankle wears down and becomes weak with age, and this kind of pain can also be connected to an injury. Ankle pain can make your mornings excruciating from the moment you get out of bed. Simple morning tasks like making breakfast or walking to your car are made far more difficult by ankle stiffness and pain, but the good news is that there are several ways to treat this - both with home and medicinal remedies. In this guide, we'll take a look at what is likely causing your ankle pain in the morning, and help you find out how you can treat it.

Experiencing an earache alongside a sore throat can be both uncomfortable and concerning. These symptoms often occur together, leading many to wonder if there is a direct connection between them. The relationship between the ear and throat will give you an understanding of the causes of earache and sore throat. This will help identify the underlying cause and find appropriate treatment. We will explore the common causes of these symptoms, their possible links, and how they might indicate various health conditions. The Link Between the Ear and the Throat Conditions often affect the ear and throat due to their interconnected structures and shared nerve pathways. The tube connecting the middle ear to the throat allows inflammation or infections in the throat to spread to the ear. Shared nerves can transmit pain from one area to the other, leading to referred discomfort. Additionally, the “lymphatic system”, which includes “lymph nodes” in the neck and throat, can cause swelling and tenderness that radiates to the ear. This connection explains why symptoms can simultaneously impact both areas.

Migraines can be debilitating to those who suffer from them, which is why it’s important to try and identify what factors could be triggering your migraine. The exact cause of migraines is not known but it is thought to be a mix of affected nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain. The cause of this change in brain activity is not known, but could be genetic – which leads to you experiencing a migraine after encountering a specific trigger.