Sciatica is the medical term used for pain associated with the sciatic nerve. This nerve, the Mayo Clinic reports, is by far the longest of your nerves. It stretches from the spinal column to the area of your hips and buttocks, then proceeds down each leg. Sciatica is not actually a disease or a disorder. Instead, it typically is a symptom of some problem that affects your sciatic nerve.
Pain
The most common symptom of sciatica, or problems with the sciatic nerve, is pain. It can occur in the lower part of your back and down to your buttocks. Pain also may occur in your legs, particularly the rear area of your calves and thighs. The Mayo Clinic reports this pain can be mild or it can be more severe, depending on the individual and the reason for the sciatica. It also can take different forms such as feeling as if you have a burning sensation or feeling severe and sharp pain. Such things as sneezing and coughing can intensify the pain. There are a number of drugs that can be prescribed to lessen your pain. These may include muscle relaxants and medications that fight the inflammation. For more long-term pain, your doctor may prescribe such things as anti-convulsants and antidepressants of the tricyclic group.
Weakness and Numbness
Sciatica also may induce weakness in your muscles, primarily the ones in direct contact with the sciatic nerve. This may occur in your foot or in your leg, either one or the other,or both. Numbness, or the feeling that you do not have the full range of your normal sensory perception, also may occur with sciatica. This, too, can occur in your legs, and it can occur concurrent with pain or separately. This numbness also can produce the feeling of pins and needles, or tingling, that most often is associated with your limbs going to sleep. This generally will occur in a section of your feet or in your toes.
Bowel and Bladder Control Problems
While these types of symptoms do not occur often with sciatica, they are very serious. Get emergency medical help by going to the hospital if you suddenly lose control of your bladder or of your bowels. This may occur because you cannot feel or sense the normal muscles that control such functions. This is a manifestation of cauda equina syndrome.
