Sciatica is a term that describes weakness, pain, tingling or numbness in the leg; it occurs when there is inflammation, compression, or irritation that affects one or more of the nerve that runs through the lower back to the leg. These nerves are called the sciatica nerves.

It is not a life-threatening condition; it is just a temporary illness that can go away on its own with self-care and time. However, some cases may be severe, especially if caused by an underlying condition. Men between the ages of 30 and 50 years are more prone to sciatica. 

Cause

Sciatica is caused by pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve; the nerve starts at the base of the spine and runs through the back of each leg. It provides sensation to the back of the thigh, lower leg, and the sole of the foot, and it controls the back, knee, and lower leg muscles. So, the common conditions that can cause pressure on the nerve include:

• Tumours.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Pelvic injury or fracture.
• Slipped or herniated disk.
• Piriformis syndrome.
• Spondylolisthesis.
• Pregnancy.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Foraminal stenosis.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica symptoms include numbness, muscle weakness, tingling, urinary or faecal incontinence and pain. The pain from this condition can vary from one person to another; it may feel like a dull ache, a mild tingling or burning sensation. It may even be severe enough to stop a person from moving. 

The pain often affects one side; it may be a sharp pain in one part of the hip or leg and numbness in the other. You may also experience numbness or pain at the back of the calf and on the sole. Sometimes, the affected leg may be weak, and occasionally, you might experience foot drop.

The pain may get worse when sitting, standing, coughing, sneezing, laughing, staring or holding your breath. These are all variations of the symptoms you can experience if you have sciatica. 

Treatment 

The treatment for sciatica has to begin by diagnosing and treating the underlying causes. Sometimes, it improves on its own within 4 to 6 weeks, but some treatments can be used to speed up recovery and ease symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend medications like muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, gabapentin or corticosteroid injections.

Home remedies like applying ice packs or heat packs or placing a pillow between bent knees for side sleepers and under bent knees for back sleepers can also be effective for relieving symptoms. 

A physical therapist can also help you with exercise routines for sciatica. However, if none of these options are effective, then a doctor may recommend surgery, which can be laminectomy or discectomy.