If you are living with back pain or having other symptoms, you may be dealing with a bulging disk. Disks are structures that are located between the vertebra in the spine. They act as cushions and allow your spine to move. Disks are made of an outer layer of cartilage and a soft, jelly-like center. In the case of a bulging disk the jelly-like center protrudes outside of the outer layer. Bulging disks are common and can be present without any symptoms. In other cases they can cause a variety of problems and require treatment.
Initial Signs
Since some wear and tear on the spine happens with age, many people develop bulging disks yet never have any symptoms. According to Neurosurgery Today, in other cases a herniated disk may at first produce a general backache that comes and goes. Your backache may exist for years before the bulge becomes more severe. For some the symptoms can be worse when walking; for others when standing or sitting. In some cases coughing, sneezing and bending forward may make the pain worse.
Pain
As the center of the disk bulges outward it may place pressure on and compress the surrounding nerves. This can lead to pain that starts in the back but then radiates to other areas. In some cases the pain is mild and in others it can be debilitating. If the bulge is in the upper back you may also have pain in the arms and neck. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states that if the bulge is located lower in the spine, the pain may become sharp and radiate down your leg in a condition known as sciatica.
Numbness and Weakness
The Mayo Clinic states that if the bulging disk is compressing your nerves you may notice symptoms such as numbness, tingling and burning sensations in the arms, legs, fingers or toes. You may also experience weakness in the extremities as well. These symptoms can occur on just one side of the body or on both depending on where the bulging disk is located. If there is severe compression on the nerves you may lose control of your bladder or bowels.
