Do you suffer from chronic back pain? If your answer is yes, then sit tight this post may be your godsend. A recent study found that 40% of chronic back pain could be caused by bacteria. Some people may suffer from pain in their lower back caused by herniated bulging discs and swelling in the spine.
Mayoclinic says that herniated discs mean the problem with the rubbery cushions, between the individual bones that make up your spine. This condition occurs when the soft jelly pushes out through a crack in the tough bone exterior. This may irritate nearby nerves and result in pain and numbness.
Some bacteria such as the P. acnes which reside on the skin get into our blood stream. These bacteria hate oxygen rich environment and does not colonize inside our body. The spine does not have lots of oxygen when the disc gets damaged, blood vessels sprout into it. The bacterium moves in and settles down. There they flourish and spit out chemicals and acid. The acid corrodes the bone near the disc causing more pain and swelling.
Are you clear about the herniated disc and the cause of back pain? Now this research is considered a breakthrough and some neurological specialists have called the findings as the stuff of Nobel prizes. Danish researchers found that a combination of antibiotics amoxicillin and clavulanate for three months provides lasting relief from back pain. This treatment cured 80% of people or in other words greatly reduced their suffering.
Though the findings may definitely be considered a breakthrough, some doctors are quick to point out there may be various other causes that leads to back pain. Prof Piddock of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection says that specific tests should be carried out before antibiotics are prescribed for back pain. This prevents people from needlessly being exposed to drugs and gaining resistance to them. Becoming resistant to antibiotics increases the risk of future infections.
Now turning our attention to your back pain, buy yourself a good ergonomically designed chair. Still if the problem persists, then it is time you visit your doctor.
Take care,
Swarnam
Photo by Stuart Miles
Photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net
Take care,
Swarnam
Swarnam