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There
are various risk factors for a herniated disc.
Risk
factors that you cannot change
There
are some things you cannot change. But if you know about them, you can be
prepared to consider how they will affect you. These include:
-
Advancing
age. The process of aging of the discs in the lower back, as well as
repeated injury to the discs and spinal muscles, makes a person more likely
to have low back problems, which usually begin in midlife.
-
Being
male.
-
History
of back injury, previous herniated disc, or back surgery.
Risk
factors that you can change
Some
risk factors you can change, with lifestyle changes or medical treatment. If you
take steps to limit the risks from these factors, you can decrease your overall
risk of having a herniated disc. Risk factors you can change include:
-
Your
job or other activities that increase the risk of developing a herniated
disc, such as long periods of sitting, lifting or pulling heavy objects,
frequent bending or twisting of the back, heavy physical exertion,
repetitive motions, or exposure to constant vibration (such as driving).
-
Not
exercising regularly, doing strenuous exercise for a long time, or starting
to exercise too strenuously after a long period of inactivity.
-
Smoking.
Nicotine and other toxins from smoking can keep spinal discs from absorbing
all the nutrients they need from the blood, making disc injury more likely.
Smoking also increases your sensitivity to pain. For information on how to
quit smoking, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
-
Being
overweight. Carrying extra body weight (especially in the stomach area) may
put additional strain on the lower back, although this has not been proven.
But being overweight often also means being in poor physical condition, with
weaker muscles and less flexibility. These can lead to low back pain. For
information on how to maintain a healthy weight, see the topic Weight
Management.
Reference
from Healthwise
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