Characteristics Of A Bulging Neck Disk
Intervertebral disk that extends beyond the normal boundaries is called a bulging disk. As this happens, the bulging disk is sure to cause pain as it presses on a nerve. But this greatly depends on the degree of the bulge and to which direction. Herniated or bulging disks stimulate pain because of the soft substance that flows out and irritate the nerves. The nerves respond to this disturbance by radiating pain signals.
Herniated disk conditions are divided into some parts: lumbar disk, thoracic disk and cervical disk. Among these, lumbar disk herniation is the most common, herniated thoracic disk being the rare. But most people do develop a cervical disk herniation or a bulging neck disk.
Aging, poor and unhealthy lifestyle and injuries are among the triggering factors for a bulging neck disk. In plain English, herniated disk is best described as a ruptured disk. Disk disorders take two forms: either non-contained or contained. A bulging neck disk is a perfect example for a contained disk illness. A bulging disk means it is not open yet. The internal soft substances of a disk called the nucleus pulposus is still contained within its outer covering, the annulus fibrosus.
Bulging neck disk can be likened to a volcano before an eruption. It can be considered to be some precursor to disk herniation. It is possible for the disk to just protrude unto the spinal canal without the necessity of breaking it open. Therefore, the nucleus pulposus does not spill out. To which, a bulging neck disk remains intact.
Bulging neck disk can be diagnosed after a careful examination on the patient by physical check-up and MRI or magnetic resonance imaging. The latter is a painless laboratory procedure in which a powerful magnetic and radio waves are used to produce a detailed image of the body's internal structures and organs.
A bulging neck disk may appear with an out-pouching but no relative herniation. Treatments are given after professional medical practitioners are done checking out the condition and how mild or severe the bulging neck disk is. Medications and treatments do vary from patient to patient. In prescribing anything to relieve the resulting pain, factors such as the patient's entire health condition and
the intensity of the damage are considered very well. In most cases, therapies and other conventional approaches work. Treatments are basically manifested to reduce the pain than in directly treating the cause. If the pain still persists longer than necessary even after thorough medications and non-surgical treatments, then surgery is the last option. But the decision lies mainly between the attending physician and the patient.
